When to Check and Change

A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.

Change both the fluid and filter every 25,000 miles (41 500 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:

If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km).

See Scheduled Maintenance .

How to Check

Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department.

If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

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. Too little fluid could cause the transmission to overheat. 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:

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:

Cold Check Procedure

The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely until a hot check can be made. The fluid level rises as fluid temperature increases. DO NOT fill above the COLD CHECK band if the transmission fluid is below normal operating temperatures.

1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again.
3. Check the fluid level reading. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading.
4. If the fluid level is within the COLD CHECK band, the transmission may be operated until the fluid is hot enough to perform a hot check. If the fluid level is not within the COLD CHECK band, add or drain fluid as necessary to bring the level into the middle of the COLD CHECK band.
5. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way.

Hot Check Procedure

The fluid must be hot to ensure an accurate check. The fluid level rises as temperature increases.

1. Operate the transmission in DRIVE (D) range until the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading.
4. Safe operating level is within the HOT RUN band on the dipstick. The width of the HOT RUN band represents approximately 1.06 quart (1.0 liter) of fluid at normal operating temperature.
5. If the fluid level is not within the HOT RUN band, add or drain fluid as necessary to bring the fluid level to within the HOT RUN band.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way.

Consistency of Readings

Always check the fluid level at least twice using the procedures described previously. Consistency (repeatable readings) is important to maintaining proper fluid level. If inconsistent readings persist, check the transmission breather to be sure it is clean and unclogged. If readings are still inconsistent, contact your dealer.

How to Add Fluid

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission fluid to use. See "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants" in the Index.

Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.

Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON® -III, because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON® -III is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Except Allison Transmission

When to Check and Change

A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.

Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km) if the vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 or if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:

If your vehicle's GVWR is not over 8,600 and you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).

See Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services .

How to Check

Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department.

If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

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. Too little fluid could cause the transmission to overheat. 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:

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).

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 (10°C), drive the vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.

A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off, but this 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 (10°C), you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during this cold check, you must check the fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot will give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level.

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:

The transmission dipstick handle with the graphic is located at the rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger's side.

See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.

1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again.



3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area, below the cross-hatched area, for a cold check or in the HOT area or cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place.

How to Add Fluid

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission fluid to use. See Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .

Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.

Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON® -III, because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON® -III is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Allison Transmission

When to Check and Change

A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.

Change both the fluid and filter every 25,000 miles (41 500 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:

If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km).

See Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services .

How to Check

Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department.

If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

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. Too little fluid could cause the transmission to overheat. 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:

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:

Cold Check Procedure

The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely until a hot check can be made. The fluid level rises as fluid temperature increases. DO NOT fill above the COLD CHECK band if the transmission fluid is below normal operating temperatures.

1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again.
3. Check the fluid level reading. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading.
4. If the fluid level is within the COLD CHECK band, the transmission may be operated until the fluid is hot enough to perform a hot check. If the fluid level is not within the COLD CHECK band, add or drain fluid as necessary to bring the level into the middle of the COLD CHECK band.
5. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way.

Hot Check Procedure

The fluid must be hot to ensure an accurate check. The fluid level rises as temperature increases.

1. Operate the transmission in DRIVE (D) range until the normal operating temperature of 160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again. Repeat the check procedure to verify the reading.
4. Safe operating level is within the HOT RUN band on the dipstick. The width of the HOT RUN band represents approximately 1.06 quart (1.0 liter) of fluid at normal operating temperature.
5. If the fluid level is not within the HOT RUN band, add or drain fluid as necessary to bring the fluid level to within the HOT RUN band.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way.

Consistency of Readings

Always check the fluid level at least twice using the procedures described previously. Consistency (repeatable readings) is important to maintaining proper fluid level. If inconsistent readings persist, check the transmission breather to be sure it is clean and unclogged. If readings are still inconsistent, contact your dealer.

How to Add Fluid

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission fluid to use. See Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .

Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.

Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON® -III, because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON® -III is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.