I just bought a 90 loyale wagon with automatic transmission, and I've
been told to make sure the transmission fluid is not too low. I am not
at all mechanically inclined, my friend helped me figure out which
might be the dipstick for it, and I bought some fluid and poured some
in it, as I couldn't find anywhere else where it would go. How do I
find out exactly how to do it?
If you have an ownwer's amnual it lilely shows the layout of the engine
compartment pointing to various maintenance items. One of them should be
the Automatic Transmission dipstick.
Generally, most aototrannies want you to check the fluid in a warmed up
state (having driven for - maybe - 20 miniutes or so atleast) on level
ground, stop the car but leave it running. open the hood and locate and
prepare with a cloth/paper towel to check the dipstick. Get back in the
car and, with foot on brake of course, select each gear on the tranny,
leave it engaded for a few seconds, then fiannally leave it in either
park or neutral with the handbrake firmly set. Now, get back out and
withdraw the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, remove and look
for the wet fluid, it should be near the HOT mark. If not, try repeating
the procedure. Being slightly under or overfilled is probably OK, but
varying more than 3/8 - 1/2 inch COULD be a problem, more so if
underfilled but extreme overfilling can be bad too.
Do you have a friend or relative that could help you the first time?
After you've seen the procedure it will be easy. Kinda hard to explain
in writing sometimes. Take a few Lotto tickets to your local independent
mechanic in exchage for him showing you how to check fluids and air
pressure in your tires.
Carl
