1994 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 199

Service and Appearance Care Automatic Transmission Fluid When to Check and Change: A good timeto check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change your fluid. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Index. Wait at least 30 minutes beforechecking the transmission fluid level if you have been driving: 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. To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82°Cto 93°C). T check transmissionfluid hot: Get o 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), drive the vehicle in "D' (Third Gear) until the engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes. Then follow the hot check procedures. How to Check: Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done ata Pontiac 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. Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall onhot engine parts or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission fluid. To check transmission fluid cold: cold A check is made after the vehicle has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperaturesare 50°F (10°C) or more. If it's colder than 50°F (lO°C), you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold check, you must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level. To check the fluid hot cold: or Park your vehicle on a level place. With the parking brake applied, place the shift leverin "P" (Park). With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in "P" (Park). 0 Let the engine run at idlefor three minutes or more. ...I 9 8