How do you check the transmission fluid level and what kind of fluid does it take?

[BurlyBob]

How do you check the transmission fluid level in a 1995 Metro 5 speed?

What kind of fluid do you fill it up with?

I have looked and looked at the thing but I cannot seem to find where to check it, I have gotten afraid to drive the thing without knowing what the fluid level is so I have been driving my gas-sucking minivan. One thing I can tell you is that it doesn't appear to be leaking so it is probably all right.

[SeanMurphy]

There are two methods depending on the revision of the transmission, and I'm not sure which one the 95 had. On the old style transmission like my 88 had, there is a little dipstick/plug on the top of the tranny near the back that you can reach down and unscrew. The fluid should be between the two marks. On the new style, there is a filler plug on the driver's side of the tranny near the back, take this plug out and stick your finger in there. The fluid should be to the bottom of the filler hole when the car is on level ground.

As to fluid, I use a synthetic or semi synthetic 75w90 gear oil, but some people say to use GM Synchromesh, but in my opinion, that's just tossing money through the gears for little benefit. As long as you use a good quality gear oil, it'll be fine.

[BurlyBob]

Thanks for the help, the plug is the new style.

I added one pint. Do you know how much this transmission holds?

[SeanMurphy]

No, I don't recall offhand. Check your manual, it tells you in the section marked 'Capacities'.

[avfan]

I believe it uses 2.5 quarts to fill the case. I just had some trouble with mine and filled it up with 80w90 as it says in my chiltons manual,but after about 3 days I couldnt get it to pull down into 2nd gear and it was shifting harder. I asked on this website and was told to use the syncromesh and after I drained and refilled with syncro I have had no more problems.A couple of people on this site have said that the 80w90 will tear up these trannys

[geozukigti]

Yes, 80w90 is death for a geo tranny. 75w90 synthetic, or Synchromesh only. 2.5qt is correct. If you've never checked the oil level, the oil is old anyway. You should change your gear oil every 36k to keep it clean. Drain it, and fill it. Make sure it's warm when you drain it tho, or it will take hours. gear oil is like molasses when it's cold. Also, when you get the new gear oil, let the bottles sit in some really hot water for about an hour before you fill the tranny. The oil will flow a LOT easier.