In a message dated 96-02-05 08:33:07 EST, qaintern@qa.pica.army.mil (QA
Intern - James E. Ferree) writes:

>
>Hi,
>
>It has been cold here in Eastern PA.  The last few mornings I have had
>problems
>shifting my manual trans., it gets beeter after it warms up for a while.
>  So yesterday I spent the day cleaning up the garage
>so I could fit the Van in.  After it sat in the garage for an hour, the
>shifting
>was back to normal.
>
>What should I do to make the tansmission more tolerant to the cold?
>
>I was thinking about changing the fluid by going to one of those one hour
>places.  
>
>What is your opinion on the "Jiffy Lube" shops and the qaulity of their
>fluids and services, and should I do it myself.
>
>One question that gives you isight into my ignorance:  Is there a dipstick
>or some resevoir I can look into to make sure I have enough trans fluid?
>
>Please respond to me directly at jferree@pica.army.mil.
>
>thanks for your time.
>
>Jim Ferree
>84 Vanagon
>4 speed manual trans
>
>
>
>

The trans oil is checked by removing the fill plug on the side of the trans.
 The oil level should be about 1/2 inch below the hole. It must be checked on
level ground.  I would recomend draining and refilling the gearbox with a
75-90 synthetic gear lube.  This wil ease your shifting problems and provide
improved transmission protection.
Dennis.