Automatic Transmission Fluid (Check Oil Level and Condition)

TRANSMISSION FLUID (CVT FLUID) (CHECK FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION/CHANGE)

CHECK FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION

CAUTION:
Replace the transmission fluid whenever the transaxle is replaced with a new one or the vehicle is driven in harsh conditions.

1. Drive the vehicle until the transmission fluid is warmed up to the normal operating temperature 70 - 80°C (158 - 176°F).
NOTE:
Use scan tool to measure the transmission fluid temperature.

NOTE:
When a certain amount of time is required to warm up the transmission fluid to the normal operating temperature 70 - 80°C (158 - 176°F), check the oil level referring to the characteristics chart.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
3. Move the selector lever to every position to fill the torque converter and the hydraulic circuit with the transmission fluid, and then move the selector lever to P or N range.
4. Wipe clean the area around the oil level gauge, and then remove the oil level gauge to check the condition of the transmission fluid.
NOTE:
If the transmission fluid smells burnt or is excessively deteriorated or dirty, the transmission fluid is contaminated with particles of the metal bushings and friction material. In these cases, the transaxle must be overhauled.

5. Check that the transmission fluid level is within the "H" area on the oil level gauge.
If the fluid level is low, add the transmission fluid to the "H" level.
Transmission fluid: DIA QUEEN CVTF-J4
NOTE:
When the transmission fluid level is low, the oil pump sucks air together with the transmission fluid, and produces air bubbles in the hydraulic circuit. The air bubbles in the hydraulic circuit decreases the hydraulic pressure, causing the delayed gearshift or slippage of the belt, clutch, and brake. When the transmission fluid level is too high, the fluid is stirred by the gear and foams up, and the problems similar to those when the transmission fluid level is low will occur.
In either case, air bubbles cause the overheat and oxidation of the transmission fluid, which prevents normal operation of the valve, clutch, and brake. Beside, when the transmission fluid is foamy, it flows out of the transaxle vent hole. This may be taken as the fluid leakage by mistake.

6. Insert the oil level gauge securely.

CHANGE

If you have a transmission fluid (CVT fluid) changer, use this changer to replace the transmission fluid. If you do not have a transmission fluid changer, replace the transmission fluid by the following procedure.

[2.4 L ENGINE]

1. Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the transaxle case to drain the transmission fluid.
Draining amount: Approximately 5.5 dm3 (5.81 qt)
2. Install the drain plug with a new gasket to the transaxle case, and tighten it to the specified torque.
Tightening torque: 34 ± 2 Nm (25 ± 1 ft-lb)
3.
CAUTION:
If the transaxle case becomes full before filling 5.5 dm3 (5.81 qt) of transmission fluid, stop filling the transmission fluid.

Fill in the new transmission fluid through the oil filler tube.
Filling amount: Approximately 5.5 dm3 (5.81 qt)
Transmission fluid: DIA QUEEN CVTF-J4
4. Start up the engine and let it idle for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Move the selector lever to every position, and then move it to the P or N range.
6. Stop the engine and perform the above steps 1 to 5 again.
7. Stop the engine, and discharge a small amount of transmission fluid to check for fouling.
If fouling is found, repeat steps 1 to 5 until clean transmission fluid comes out.

9. Drive the vehicle until the transmission fluid is warmed up to the normal operating temperature 70 - 80°C (158 - 176°F), and check the transmission fluid level. It must be within the "H" area on the oil level gauge.
NOTE:
The "C" level is for reference only. Use the "H" level as the criteria.

NOTE:
Use scan tool to measure the transmission fluid temperature.

NOTE:
When a certain amount of time is required to warm up the transmission fluid to the normal operating temperature 70 - 80°C (158 - 176°F), check the oil level referring to the characteristics chart.

10. Adjust the transmission fluid level to the specified level. Refill the transmission fluid when the fluid level is low, and drain the transmission fluid through the drain plug when the fluid level is high.
11. Securely insert the oil level gauge into the oil filler tube.
12. TCM records the deterioration level of the transmission fluid. After replacing the transmission fluid with new one, use scan tool to reset the deterioration level recorded in TCM.

[3.0 L ENGINE]

If you have a transmission fluid changer, use this changer to replace the transmission fluid. If you do not have a transmission fluid changer, replace the transmission fluid by the following procedure.

1. Disconnect the hose shown in the illustration which connects the transaxle and the oil cooler (inside the radiator). Place a container under the hose to collect the discharge.
2.
CAUTION:
The engine should be stopped within one minute after it is started. If all the transmission fluid has drained out before then, the engine should be stopped at that point.

Start the engine and let the transmission fluid drain out.
(Running conditions: "N" range with engine idling)
Approximately 3.5 dm3 (3.7 quarts) of transmission fluid should be removed.

3. Remove the drain plug from the bottom of the transaxle case to drain the transmission fluid.
Approximately 2.0 dm3 (2.1 quarts) of transmission fluid should be removed.
4. Install the drain plug with a new gasket, and tighten it to the specified torque.
Tightening torque: 7.4 ± 2.4 Nm (65 ± 21 in-lb)
5.
CAUTION:
Stop pouring if the full volume of transmission fluid cannot be added.

Add new transmission fluid (DIA QUEEN ATF- J3) through the oil filter tube.
Approximately 5.5 dm3 (5.8 quarts) of transmission fluid should be added.
6. Repeat the procedure in Step 2. (to pump out the rest of the contaminated transmission fluid)
7. Add new transmission fluid (DIA QUEEN ATF- J3) through the oil filter tube.
Approximately 3.5 dm3 (3.7 quarts) of transmission fluid should be added.
NOTE:
Check for contamination or a burnt odor. If the transmission fluid is still contaminated or burnt, repeat Steps 6 and 7 before proceeding to Step 8.

8. Reconnect the hose which was disconnected in step 1 above, and firmly insert the dipstick.
9. Start the engine and run it at idle for one to two minutes.
10. Move the selector lever through all positions, and then move it to the "N" position.

11. Check that the transmission fluid level is at the "C" mark on the dipstick. If the level is less than this, add transmission fluid.

12. Drive the vehicle until the transmission fluid temperature rises to the normal operating temperature [70 - 80°C (158 - 176°F)], and then check the transmission fluid level again. The transmission fluid level must be at the
"H" mark.
NOTE:
The transmission fluid temperature is measured with scan tool MB991958 (M.U.T.-III sub assembly).

NOTE:
The "C" level is for reference only; the "H" level should be regarded as the standard level.

NOTE:
If it takes some amount of time until the transmission fluid reaches its normal operating temperature [70 - 80°C (158 - 176°F)], check the transmission fluid level by referring to the left diagram.

13. When the transmission fluid is less than the specified level, add transmission fluid.
When the transmission fluid is greater than the specified level, drain the excess fluid through the drain plug to adjust the transmission fluid to the specified level.
14. Firmly insert the dipstick into the oil filler tube.