Chevrolet 1997 Automobile User Manual


 
NOTICE:
Too
much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too
much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if
you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
--
especially in hot weather.
0
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F
to
200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(
10"
C).
If it's colder than
50°F
(lO"C),
drive the
vehicle in
DRIVE
(D)
until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A
cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine
off
and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F
(10°C) or
more. If it's colder than
50°F
(lO°C), you may have
to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you
must
perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you
a
more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
0
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
0
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
engine running.
in PARK
(P).
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range, Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK
(P).
0
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
6-22