Attention! Using a transmission fluid other than that specified in Specifications, may result in transmission malfunction or failure.
The AT fluid level must be carefully maintained. Too little fluid can cause the transmission to jump off or stop the drive wheels, while fluid overflow can cause it to be lost through foaming. Both can cause damage to the transmission.
Because transmission fluid expands when heated, it should be checked when it is warm, i.e. at normal operating temperature. If the vehicle has just traveled more than 32 km, the transmission fluid may be considered warm enough. The transmission fluid level can also be measured when cold. If the vehicle has been sitting for more than five hours and the fluid is at room temperature (i.e. 20°С), the liquid can be considered cold. However, it is better and more accurate to measure the level of a warm liquid.
Attention! The transmission fluid level measurement may not be accurate if the vehicle has just been driven a long distance at high speeds, driven in hot weather in heavy city traffic, or used to tow a trailer. In this case, wait about 30 minutes for the transmission to cool down.
1. Immediately after driving the vehicle, park it on level ground, apply the parking brake, and start the engine at idle. Depress the brake pedal and move the selector lever through all positions, starting and ending at position "R" (parking).
2. The filler tube and transmission fluid dipstick are located in the rear left corner of the engine compartment.
3. With the engine idling, remove the dipstick from the filler tube, wipe it dry with a piece of clean rag, lower it back into the tube to the end, pull it out and determine the fluid level.
Automatic transmission fluid level dipstick (indicated by an arrow) located at the bulkhead on the left side of the engine compartment.
4. The fluid level should be between the two marks on the dipstick. If it is lower than it should, top up with the indicated Specifications liquids through the filling tube - use a clean funnel, preferably with a fine mesh filter to avoid splashing.
The hot transmission fluid level should be maintained between the two notches on the dipstick, preferably closer to the top one.
Attention! When topping up, be careful not to bring dirt into the transmission.
5. Add only the amount of fluid needed to the transmission to reach the specified level. Approximately 0.5 liters of hot fluid is required from the bottom to the top mark on the dipstick, so add it little by little, and each time check the level until you reach the required one.
6. The condition of the liquid is determined simultaneously with the level check. If the fluid is black or dark red-brown in color or smells burnt, it should be replaced (see Section Transmission Fluid Replacement). If you are in doubt about the condition of the fluid, buy a new fluid and compare its color and smell to the old one.