2008 Subaru Impreza Owner's Manual - Page 338

11-22 Maintenance and service Automatic transmission fluid & Checking the fluid level The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according to fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two different scales for checking the level of hot fluid and cold fluid on the level gauge. Though the fluid level can be checked without warming up the fluid on the "COLD" range, it is recommended to check the fluid level when the fluid is at operating temperature. ! Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot 1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the temperature of the transmission fluid up to normal operating temperature; 158 to 1768F (70 to 808C) is normal. 2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. 3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then shift it in the "P" position, and run the engine at idling speed. 1) 2) 3) 4) HOT range COLD range Upper level Lower level 4. Pull out the level gauge and check the fluid level on the gauge. If it is below the lower level on the "HOT" range, add the recommended automatic transmission fluid up to the upper level. ! Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold When the fluid level has to be checked without time to warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that the fluid level is between the lower level and upper level on the "COLD" range. If it is below that range, add fluid up to the upper level. Be careful not to overfill. 1) Yellow handle CAUTION Be careful not to spill automatic transmission fluid when adding it. If automatic transmission fluid touches the exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If automatic transmission fluid gets on the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it off.