Mazda 2004 Miata MX-5, Owner'S Manual

Page: 224 / 281

8-21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
▼
Inspecting Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be inspected regularly. Measure it
as described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. For that reason, it is best to
examine the level after having driven the
vehicle for 15 minutes. If necessary,
however, it can also be inspected without
driving when the outside temperature is
above 20°C (70°F).
1. Park on a level surface and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine. Push down on the
brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges
and set it at P.
4. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean.
5. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube
and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid
level.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Fluid hot scale
When checking the fluid level at normal
operating temperature, the fluid level
should be within the FULL and LOW
marks on the dipstick.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
•
Low fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
•
Use specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and
failure.
•
The vehicle should not be driven if
the fluid level is below the bottom
of the dipstick and the outside
temperature is above 20°C (70°F),
or if evident automatic transmission
fluid leaks are found.
CAUTION
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
WARNING
FULL
LOW
Fluid
cold
scale
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 21 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM