AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) INSPECTION [JA5A-EL]

Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Condition Inspection

1. Inspect the ATF for the following to determine whether the transaxle should be disassembled.

• The ATF is muddy.

• The ATF smells strange or unusual.

ATF Condition

Condition			Possible cause
Clear dark red		Normal	-
Light red (pink)		Contaminated with water	• Broken oil cooler inside of radiator • Poor filler tube installation: Problem could occur to parts inside the transaxle by water contamination. If is necessary to overhaul the transaxle and detect defected parts. If necessary, replace the transaxle.
Reddish brown	Has burnt smell and metal particles are found	Deteriorated ATF	Defective powertrain components inside the transaxle: Particles cause wide range of problems by plugging up in oil pipe, control valve body and oil cooler. • When large amount of metal particles are found, overhaul the transaxle and inspect for defective parts If necessary, replace the transaxle. • Implement flushing operation as there is a possibility to have particles plugging up the oil pipe or oil cooler.
	Has no burnt smell	Normal	• Discoloration by oxidation

Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Level Inspection

Caution

• The ATF amount varies according to ATF temperature. Therefore, when checking the ATF level or replacing the ATF, use a thermometer to measure the temperature then adjust the ATF amount to the specified level according to the specified temperature.

1. Park the vehicle on level ground.

2. Apply the parking brake and position wheel chocks securely to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

3. Adjust the length of the thermometer probe measure to the measure same as the dipstick and hold the probe with a paper holder.

4. Insert into the filler tube and measure the temperature.

5. Warm up the engine until the ATF reaches (60-70 °C {140-158 °F}).

Caution

• Do not warm the transaxle by performing stalls. This will damage the torque converter.

Note

• In some cases it may be necessary to inspect the ATF in the cool range 15-25 °C {59-77 °F} before warming up the engine.

6. While depressing the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to each range (P-L), pausing momentarily in each range.

7. Shift back to P position.

Note

• If the ATF level is too high or too low in hot condition, the following problems may be the cause.

8. While the engine is idling, verify that the ATF level is in the HOT (65 °C {149 °F}) range. Add the ATF specified type of, if necessary. (See AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) REPLACEMENT [JA5A-EL].)

ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron^®III)