Checking Your Automatic Transmission Fluid
Note: These instructions are intended as general guidelines. Please consult your owner's or service manual for specific instructions on changing the oil and filter on your vehicle. Use extreme caution when lifting or jacking any vehicle.
   
     
DID YOU KNOW?
Your vehicle shouldn't lose automatic transmission fluid (ATF) in normal operation, so if the level is down there's a good chance there's a leak somewhere. Consult a service professional immediately to have it addressed to avoid possible damage to the transmission. Also, some automatic transmissions do not have dipsticks or may require that a service professional inspect the ATF level. Check the vehicle's owner's or service manual.
   
     

Check ATF Steps:

1. Park vehicle on level surface, engage parking brake and start
engine. Leave car in neutral or park. Let engine warm up and continue to run throughout operation unless vehicle's owner's manual says otherwise. (Be aware that some ATF levels are checked with the engine off. Check owner's manual.)

2. Locate ATF dipstick, typically near where the transmission or transaxle meets rear of the engine. It looks similar to the oil dipstick.

3. Remove ATF dipstick. Wipe clean, reinsert fully and remove again. CAUTION: FLUID MAY BE HOT!

4. Observe markings at end of dipstick. Your dipstick might have two markings for "Full" one warm, one cold. If the ATF level does not come up to the "warm" line, you'll need to add ATF.

5. Insert long funnel into ATF dipstick hole. Carefully add ATF in small increments and recheck level each time until fluid level reaches "warm" line. CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL OR SPILL ATF ON HOT ENGINE PARTS!

6. Reinsert ATF dipstick fully. You're done!

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