Resetting Transaxle Oil Life

RESETTING TRANSAXLE OIL LIFE
In the unlikely event a vehicle comes in with a Transmission Control Module (TCM) or powertrain control module (PCM) that cannot be read with the Tech 2, follow this procedure to set the transaxle oil life remaining in the new PCM/TCM.
1. Interview the customer to determine vehicle usage (vehicle used for towing, towing of what, how often, on what terrain: flat, hilly, mountainous, city or highway, etch. Use this information to determine severe or normal usage.
2. Check fluid level in transaxle. After removing the transaxle fluid level plug, a small amount of fluid may come out of opening. If no fluid comes out, use a turkey baster to remove a small amount of fluid. Inspect fluid condition (smell, color).
3. Record vehicle mileage.
- If vehicle usage if determined to be normal, and fluid condition is normal, use vehicle mileage to set transmission oil life remaining. Example: 50,000 miles, set oil life remaining to 50%. At 70,000 miles, set oil life remaining to 30%.
- If vehicle usage is determined to be severe, and fluid is discolored/smells burnt, recommend fluid and filter change and set oil life remaining to 100'%.
- If vehicle usage is determined to be normal, fluid condition is normal, and vehicle has over 80,000 miles, recommend fluid and filter change and set oil life remaining to 100%.

Fluid condition should be the main factor in determining oil lily remaining, followed by vehicle usage and mileage.
Normal Fluid: Use vehicle mileage as determining factor.
Burnt/Smelly Fluid: Recommend fluid and filter change, reset oil life remaining to 100%.
Burnt/Smelly Fluid with No Fluid Change: Use vehicle mileage as determining factor.