AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) INSPECTION [FS5A-EL]

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Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Condition Inspection

1.  One way of determining whether the transaxle should be disassembled is by noting:

•  If the ATF is muddy or varnished.
•  If the ATF smells strange or unusual.

ATF Condition

Condition

Possible cause
Clear red
Normal
—
Light red: pink
Contaminated with water
•  Broken oil cooler inside of radiator
•  Poor filler tube installation:
Problem could be occurring to parts inside the transaxle by water contamination. It is necessary to overhaul transaxle and detect defected parts. If necessary, exchange transaxle.
Reddish brown
Has burnt smell and metal specks are found
Deteriorated ATF
Defect powertrain components inside of transaxle: Specks cause wide range of problems by plugging up in oil pipe, control valve body and oil cooler in radiator.
•  When large amount of metal specks are found, overhaul transaxle and detect defected parts. If necessary, exchange transaxle.
•  Implement flushing operation as there is a possibility to have specks plugging up oil pipe and/or oil cooler inside of radiator.
Has no burnt smell
Normal
•  Discoloration by oxidation


Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Level Inspection

Caution
•  If there is no ATF adhering to the dipstick after warming up the engine, there is insufficient ATF. Therefore do not drive the vehicle as it could damage the ATX.
•  If a final inspection of the ATF level is performed without driving the vehicle, or the ATF amount is inspected while the ATF temperature is not at about 60—70 °C {140—158 °F}, the ATX could be damaged because the ATF level inspection would be incorrect.
•  If too much ATF is added, the ATF temperature will increase and oil could leak from the breather hose.
Note
•  The dipstick of the FS5A-EL type measures the ATF level on the differential side and, under the condition that the ATF temperature on the differential side does not rise even after warming up the engine, ATF adhering to the end of the dipstick is normal.

1.  Park the vehicle on level ground.

2.  Apply the parking brake and position wheel chocks securely to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

3.  Verify visually that there is no ATF leakage from the oil hose or housing.

Caution
•  If the oil level decreases dramatically while warming up the engine, do not shift the selector lever as it could damage the ATX.

4.  Start the engine and warm it up in the P position.

5.  Verify that the ATF level is in the range while the engine is idling.

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ATF adherence range
A: Within 5 mm {0.197 in}
•  If necessary, add ATF to the specification.
ATF type
ATF M‐V

6.  Shift the selector lever and pause momentarily in each range (P—M) while depressing the brake pedal.

7.  Shift the selector lever to P position.

8.  Drive on city roads at a minimum of 5 km {3 mile}.

9.  Connect the M-MDS to the DLC-2.

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10.  Verify that the ATF temperature is 60—70 °C {140—158 °F} using the M-MDS.

11.  Verify that the ATF level is in the range while the engine is idling.

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•  If necessary, add ATF to the specification.
ATF type
ATF M‐V