1997 Buick Skylark Owner's Manual - Page 254

Automatic Transaxle Fluid When to Check and Change A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level is when engine oil is changed. the Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 k ) the vehicleis mainly driven under one or m if more of these conditions: In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches90°F (32"C) or higher. NOTICE: Too much or too little fluid can damage your transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting fire. Be sure to a get an accurate reading you check your if transaxle fluid. Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle fluid levelif you have been driving: 0 In hilly or mountainous terrain. 0 When doing frequent trailer towing. Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service. When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32"C). At high speed for quite a while. In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather. While pulling a trailer. If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in Index. the How to Check Because this operation can belittle difficult, you may a choose to have this done at your Buick dealership Service Department. If you do it yourself, be sure to followall the instructions here, or you could get false reading on the dipstick. a To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 180°Fto 200"F (82°C to 93°C). Get the vehicle warmed by driving about 15 miles up (24 k ) m when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10OC). If it's colder than50°F (lO"C), you may have to drive longer. 6-19