Fluid Level Check – Four-Speed Automatic
Transmission
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transmission fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at curb idle speed for a minimum of
60 seconds.
3. Apply the parking brake fully.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate
the possibility of dirt entering the transmission.
6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180° F (82° C), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle isdriven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature below 80° F (27° C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Then,
remove dipstick and note the reading.
a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.”
If the fluid level is low, add sufficient fluid through the
filler (dipstick) tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not
overfill.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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S462 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 279
Automatic Transaxle .................... 12,294
Adding Fluid ....................... 457
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 457
Automatic Transmission ................297,435
Adding Fluid .................... 437,438
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 438
Fluid Level Check ................. 437,438
Fluid Type ......................... 436
Gear Ranges ..................... 300,308
Special Additives ..................... 436
Autostick ............................. 315
B-Pillar Location ........................ 337
Battery ............................... 419
Jump Starting ........................ 30
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 26
Location ........................... 419
Belts, Seat .............................. 87 Body Mechanism Lubrication
............... 423
Brake Assist System ...................... 327
Brake System ........................... 433
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 324
Fluid Check ..................... 433,457
Master Cylinder ..................... 433
Parking ........................... 322
Warning Light ....................... 197
Brake, Parking .......................... 322
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 299
Brakes ............................... 433
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 84
Bulb Replacement ..................... 449,450
Bulbs, Light .......................... 89,449
Calibration, Compass ..................... 215
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ......... 20
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 455
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INDEX 487
Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 368
Oil (Engine) ..................... 409,417
Power Steering ...................... 321
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 430
Car Washes ............................ 439
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............86,364
Cellular Phone ....................... 100,274
Chains, Tire ............................ 350
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 388
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 333
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 412
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 85
Checks, Safety ........................... 85
Child Restraint .................... 72,74,79,82
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............77,79
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Cigar Lighter ........................... 180 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 361
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 441
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 424
Climate Control ......................... 274
Clock ........................ 221,224,242,251
Coin Holder ........................... 182
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 274
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 345
Compass ........................... 207,214
Compass Calibration ..................... 215
Compass Variance ....................... 215
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 20,213
Connector UCI .............................. 265
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 265
Console .............................. 147
Console, Floor ....................... 147,182
Contract, Service ........................ 479
488 INDEX
DrivingOn Slippery Surfaces .................. 316
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 317
E-85 Fuel ............................. 365
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 186
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 98
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 176
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 161
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 328
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 209
Emergency Trunk Release .................39,40
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 388
Jump Starting ....................... 398
Towing ............................ 404
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 412Engine
............................... 409
Air Cleaner ......................... 419
Block Heater ........................ 297
Break-In Recommendations .............. 84
Checking Oil Level ................... 415
Compartment ....................... 410
Compartment Identification ............. 410
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 428,456
Cooling ........................... 428
Exhaust Gas Caution ................86,364
Fails to Start ........................ 295
Flooded, Starting ..................... 295
Fuel Requirements ................. 360,455
Jump Starting ....................... 398
Oil ......................... 415,455,456
Oil Change Interval .............200,212,416
Oil Filler Cap .................... 409,417
Oil Filter ........................... 418
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 418
490 INDEX
Fluid Capacities......................... 455
Fluid Leaks ............................. 89
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission .............437,438
Brake .......................... 433,457
Cooling System ...................... 428
Engine Oil ......................... 415
Power Steering ................... 321,457
Fluids ................................ 456
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 456
Fog Light Service ........................ 452
Fog Lights ....................... 153,202,452
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 146,147
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 402
Fuel ................................. 360
Adding ........................... 368
Additives .......................... 363
Clean Air .......................... 361
Ethanol ........................... 361 Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
...............194,368
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 194
Gasoline ........................... 360
Gauge ............................ 194
Light ............................. 195
Materials Added ..................... 363
Methanol .......................... 361
Octane Rating .................... 360,456
Requirements .................... 360,455
Tank Capacity ....................... 455
Fuel System Caution ..................... 370
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 365
Fueling ............................... 368
Fuses ................................ 444
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 164
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............368,371,411
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 361
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 361
492 INDEX
Latches................................ 89
Hood ............................. 148
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 360
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 89
Life of Tires ............................ 348
Light Bulbs .......................... 89,449
Lights .............................. 89,149
Airbag .................... 65,66,71,87,195
Back-Up ........................... 453
Brake Assist Warning .................. 331
Brake Warning ...................... 197
Bulb Replacement .................... 450
Daytime Running .................... 153
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 331
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 196
Exterior ............................ 89
Fog ......................... 153,202,452
Headlight Switch ..................... 150
Headlights ......................... 150 Headlights On With Wipers
............. 159
High Beam Indicator .................. 207
Illuminated Entry ..................... 20
Instrument Cluster ................... 150
Interior ............................ 155
License ............................ 454
Lights On Reminder .................. 154
Low Fuel .......................... 195
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 205
Map Reading ....................... 155
Oil Pressure ........................ 196
Passing ............................ 153
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 195
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............. 19
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 202
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......204,352
Traction Control ..................... 331
Turn Signal .............. 89,152,202,452,453
Voltage ............................ 195
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INDEX 495