Hey all,

#1: I was trying to open my b5a4 this morning with the key (No I don't have a remote, yet...) and it rained all night, which seems to have gotten into the lock cylinder and made it nearly impossible to turn. It felt like the key was about to snap off! Being as I have only one key hole(driver's door only) and no remote, I'd like to avoid this if possible.

Does anyone have any ideas for lube-ing the door locks? I've already thought about just shooting WD40 in there, but being as the door lock has that nifty heat feature, i'm weary about doing this. Does anyone else have this problem, or have any advice? (beyond buying a remote, I already know I need to do that)

#2: I read the thread on checking your transmission/transaxle fluid (I have a '99 with an auto 5 speed), and it made sense, just like checking my 4runner. The shop manual, however, says the transmission needs to be at some BS/arbitrary temperature (like 97 degrees or something) in order to get an acurate reading.

Is this true, does the transmission need to be at a specific temp when checking the fluid level, and if so, what's the best way to measure it's temp precisely?

Muchos gracias

 

if the manual says the tranny needs to be warmed up, then it probably does, the fluid expands as it gets warm... you could over/under fill it

 

yeah, I know, but I don't wanna[:'(]....(If Idrive itaround to warm it up, howwill I know when to stop? I'd more than likelyget it too hot by accident, and either scald myself or getaninacurate reading)

seriously though, does anyone check/change their own ATF, and if so, do you make sure it's at 98.6 (or whatever) degrees? (I think my shop manual says to use an electric IR thermometer, or tostick an old-fashioned mercury kind through the fill hole into the warm fliud). Is is safe to assume that a short drive will suffice as "Warm enough"?