For 1990-2009 cars

# AUTO TRAN FLUID LEVEL CHECK PROCEDURE

THE PROCEDURE FOR CHECKING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL IN SOME 1981 AND PRIOR SERVICE PUBLICATIONS IS INCORRECT. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE SUPERCEDES ANY OTHER AND MUST BE USED: TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL, FIRST SET THE PARKING BRAKE, THEN START THE ENGINE IN "P" (PARK). WITH THE REGULAR BRAKES APPLIED, MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER THROUGH ALL THE GEAR RANGES, ENDING IN "P". YOU MUST CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT SLOW IDLE AND THE CAR LEVEL. YOU CANNOT READ THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL IF YOU HAVE JUST DRIVEN YOUR CAR FOR A LONG TIME AT HIGH SPEED, IN CITY TRAFFIC IN HOT WEATHER, OR IF YOUR CAR HAS BEEN PULLING A TRAILER. WAIT UNTIL THE FLUID COOLS DOWN (ABOUT 30 MINUTES). REMOVE THE DIPSTICK AND CAREFULLY TOUCH THE WET END OF THE DIPSTICK TO FIND OUT IF THE FLUID IS COOL, WARM OR HOT. WIPE IT CLEAN AND PUSH IT BACK IN UNTIL THE CAP SEATS. PULL OUT THE DIPSTICK AND READ THE FLUID LEVEL. ON ALL EXCEPT 1980 AND 1981 SKYLARK IF IT FELT COOL (ABOUT ROOM TEMPERATURE), THE LEVEL SHOULD BE 3 TO 10 MILLIMETERS (1/8 TO 3/8 INCH) BELOW THE "ADD" MARK. THE DIPSTICK HAS TWO DIMPLES BELOW THE "ADD" MARK TO SHOW THIS RANGE. IF IT FELT WARM, THE LEVEL SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE "ADD" MARK (EITHER ABOVE OR BELOW). IF IT WAS TOO HOT TO HOLD, THE LEVEL SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE "FULL HOT" MARK. REFER TO FIGURE 1. ON 1980 AND 1981 SKYLARK IF IT FELT WARM OR HOT, THE LEVEL SHOULD BE IN THE CROSS-HATCH AREA ON THE DIPSTICK, NEAR THE FULL MARK. REFER TO FIGURE 2. IF IT FELT COOL OR COLD THE CAR SHOULD BE DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES AS REQUIRED FOR THE OIL TO FEEL WARM. FOR ALL MODELS IF LEVEL IS INCORRECT, ADD OR REMOVE JUST ENOUGH DEXRON II FLUID TO FILL THE TRANSMISSION TO THE PROPER LEVEL. IT TAKES ONLY 0.5 LITER (ONE PINT) TO RAISE THE LEVEL FROM "ADD" TO "FULL" WITH A HOT TRANSMISSION. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TRANSMISSION. OVERFILLING CAN CAUSE FOAMING AND LOSS OF FLUID. A LOW FLUID LEVEL CAN CAUSE SLIPPING OR LOSS OF DRIVE. IN EITHER CASE, TRANSMISSION DAMAGE CAN RESULT.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.