Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure: Notes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Vibe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
IMPORTANT:
Transmission fluid may turn dark with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation. Inspect the fluid color.Is the fluid color red? |
Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 2 |
| 2 | Inspect the fluid color. Is the fluid color a non-transparent pink? |
Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 3 |
| 3 | Inspect the fluid color. Is the fluid color light brown? |
Go to Step 18 | - |
| 4 | Inspect the fluid. Is the fluid foamy? |
Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the fluid level. Is the fluid level high? |
Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the fluid level. Is the fluid level low? |
Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Confirm that the fluid level is OK. Is the fluid inspection complete? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 8 | Remove excess fluid. Did you remove the excess fluid? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 9 | Add fluid in order to obtain the proper level. Did you add fluid to the proper level? |
Go to Step 10 | - |
| 10 | Inspect for external leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis . Are there any external leaks? |
Go to Step 11 | - |
| 11 | Repair the leak. Did you repair the leak? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 12 | Inspect for a high fluid level. Is the fluid level high? |
Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 13 |
| 13 | Inspect for contaminants in the fluid. Are there contaminants in the fluid? |
Go to Step 14 | - |
| 14 | Drain the fluid in order to determine the source of contamination. Did you drain the fluid? |
Go to Step 15 | - |
| 15 | Perform a transmission overhaul. Refer to Unit Repair. Did you perform the procedure? |
Go to Step 16 | - |
| 16 | Add new fluid. Did you add new fluid? |
Go to Step 17 | - |
| 17 | Inspect the fluid level. Did you Inspect the fluid level? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 18 |
IMPORTANT:
A very small amount of material in the bottom pan is a normal condition. Drain the fluid in order to determine if there is contamination.Are there large pieces of metal or other material in the bottom of the pan? |
Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 19 |
| 19 | Change the fluid and filter. Did you change the fluid and filter? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 20 | Perform the road test. Refer to Road Test Procedure . Did you perform the test? |
System OK | - |