A good time to check your automatic transaxle 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 is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:

If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require change until the message CHANGE TRANS FLUID appears on the Driver Information Center.

See Scheduled Maintenance .

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 the transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check the transaxle fluid.

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle 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 is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to drive longer.

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

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

The transaxle fluid cap is located next to the radiator hose and below the engine air cleaner/filter assembly in the engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.

1. After removing the engine air cleaner/filter assembly to reach the transaxle fluid cap, turn the cap counterclockwise to remove. 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 cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle clockwise. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .

If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick.

1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.

It does not take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.

Notice: Use of automatic transaxle fluid labeled other than DEXRON®-III may damage your vehicle, and the damages may not be covered by your warranty. Always use DEXRON®-III labeled automatic transaxle fluid.

3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under How to Check .
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the way and turn the handle clockwise. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.

Once the transaxle fluid has been changed, the transaxle fluid change indicator must be reset. Use the following steps to reset the indicator:

1. Press the INFO button on the Driver Information Center (DIC) until TRANS FLUID LIFE is displayed.
2. Press and hold the INFO RESET button until 100% is displayed.

The indicator is now reset. The percentage of transaxle fluid life remaining may be checked at any time by pressing the INFO button several times until the TRANS FLUID LIFE message appears.