6-22The handle is located at the rear of the enginecompartment, on the passenger’s side. See “EngineCompartment Overview” in the Index for furtherinformation on location.1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick andwipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds andthen pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lowerlevel. The fluid level must be in the COLD area,below the cross- hatched area, for a cold check or inthe HOT area or cross- hatched area for a hot check.4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push thedipstick back in all the way; then flip the handledown to lock the dipstick in place.How to Add FluidRefer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whatkind of transmission fluid to use. See “RecommendedFluids and Lubricants” in the Index.Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluidwhile it is hot. (A cold check is used only as areference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough ofthe proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area fora hot check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally lessthan one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overfill.NOTICE:We recommend you use only fluid labeledDEXRON-III, because fluid with that label ismade especially for your automatic transmission.Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-IIIis not covered by your new vehicle warranty. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level asdescribed under “How to Check.” When the correct fluid level is obtained, push thedipstick back in all the way; then flip the handledown to lock the dipstick in place.
