Automatic transmission: check oil level / change oil

Required wear parts:

• Automatic transmission fluid “Tutela GL/2” from Fiat, or other oil meeting specification “Dexron II”.

• Sealing ring for oil drain plug.

Check oil level

• Drive the vehicle at least 15 km to warm up; the transmission then reaches an oil temperature of approx. +70 °C to +80 °C.

• Park the vehicle on level ground. Apply the parking brake.

• The engine runs at idle during the check. With the engine idling, slowly move the selector lever from position “P” to position “1”, then back to “P”.

• The oil dipstick - 1 - is located at the front of the transmission. Automatic transmission fluid is also added here, if necessary.

• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean, lint-free cloth, preferably leather.

  Then fully insert the dipstick, pull it out again and read the oil level.

• The fluid level should be as close as possible below the mark on the side of the dipstick labeled “HOT” (hot oil).

Note: The oil level can also be checked with a cold transmission. Perform the check with the engine running. In this case, the mark on the side labeled “COLD” on the oil dipstick applies. However, checking with a warm transmission afterwards is recommended due to greater accuracy.

The specified oil level is extremely important for the proper function of the automatic transmission. Therefore, perform the check with great care.

• If transmission oil must be topped up, use a very clean funnel.

  Fill automatic transmission oil through the transmission dipstick tube with the engine off. Observe the utmost cleanliness; no contaminants may enter the transmission.

Caution: Do not overfill with oil. Excess oil can cause malfunctions in the automatic transmission. In any case, excess oil must be drained off again or extracted with a syringe.

• After checking or correcting the oil level, fully reinsert the dipstick.

Change automatic transmission oil

The oil change is to be performed every 40,000 km.

Observe the utmost cleanliness. Even the smallest contamination can lead to automatic transmission failure. Caution: Do not run the engine without transmission oil. The vehicle must also not be towed without transmission oil.

• Drive the vehicle at least 15 km to warm up; the transmission then reaches an oil temperature of approx. +70 °C to +80 °C. The oil then drains better.

• Raise vehicle level on a jack.

• Place a suitable drain pan underneath.

  Drain the oil at plug - 1 -.

  Let drain for at least 10 minutes so that as much oil as possible runs out.

Caution: If the oil has a burnt smell or metal particles are present in the oil, the transmission must be overhauled.

A whitish discoloration indicates coolant entering through the oil cooler.

• Install the oil drain plug with a new gasket and tighten to 40 N·m.

  Lower the vehicle.

• Fill 3.0 liters of automatic transmission oil “Tutela GL/2” from Fiat, or other oil meeting specification “Dexron II”, through the transmission dipstick tube.

Caution: Do not overfill with oil. Excess oil can cause malfunctions in the automatic transmission. In any case, excess oil must be drained off again or extracted with a syringe.

• Check oil level, see “Check”.