Car maintenance! Contd.

Contd.

Automatic transmission

If your vehicle has a dipstick for the automatic transmission (check your owner's handbook for its location), check the fluid weekly. You should check the oil level in accordance with the instructions in the car's owner's manual. Often this will be after the car has been driven for about 10 kilometres, so that the oil is hot.

The engine should normally be running (check your manufacturer's recommendation) and the vehicle should be on level ground. Put the car into Park and apply the handbrake.

Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a clean cloth or paper, and re-insert fully. Remove the dipstick again and check the fluid level. The fluid should be between the 'add' mark and the 'full' mark. Take care not to overfill.

If more fluid is required, add the recommended type of fluid through the dipstick tube. Allow about a minute for the oil to stabilise before re-testing the level with the dipstick.

Manual transmissions and automatic transmissions not equipped with a dipstick are more difficult to check. Your mechanic/professional should perform fluid level checks on these transmissions.