Preliminary Inspection

Preliminary Inspection

Determine Customer Concern

Determine customer concerns relative to vehicle use and dependent driving conditions, paying attention to the following items:

- Hot or cold vehicle operating temperature

- Hot or cold ambient temperatures

- Type of terrain

- Vehicle loaded/unloaded

- City/highway driving

- Upshift

- Downshift

- Coasting

- Engagement

- Noise/vibration- check for dependencies, either rpm dependent, vehicle speed dependent, shift dependent, gear dependent, range dependent or temperature dependent.

Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check

NOTICE: If transaxle noise is reported, first check the transmission fluid level. The vehicle should not be driven if the transmission fluid level is low or damage can occur.

NOTE: The vehicle should not be driven if the transmission fluid level is low.

An incorrect transmission fluid level may affect the transaxle operation and can result in transaxle damage. To correctly check and add transmission fluid to the transaxle, refer to Transmission Draining and Filling Transmission Draining and Filling.

A low transmission fluid level can result in poor transaxle shifting, engagement or damage. It can also indicate a leak in the transaxle seals.

1. Check the transmission fluid condition.
- Observe the color of the transmission fluid. Allow the transmission fluid to drip onto a white cloth and examine the stain. Check the transmission fluid for contamination or metal particles.
- Transmission fluid should appear nearly clear.