1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 277

How to Check Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to havethis done at your Chevrolet 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. In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather. While pulling a trailer. 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's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to drive longer. NOTICE: Too much or too little fluid can damage your Checking the Fluid Level transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the 0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts engine running. or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to 0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever get an accurate reading if you check your in PARK (P). transaxle fluid. 0 With your footon the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about Wait at least30 minutes before checking the transaxle three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift fluid level if you have been driving: lever inPARK (P). 0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C). 0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. 0 At high speed for quite a while. 6-19