How to Change Transmission Fluid

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Without actually removing the transmission, it is very difficult to remove all of the fluid. In fact, you will only be removing the fluid that is sitting in the pan, which is only about 25% of the total fluid in the transmission.

The steps below describe changing the fluid for a front wheel drive transaxle.

Steps

1. 1
   Jack up the car and support it with jack stands.

   
   
2. 2
   Crawl under the vehicle and locate the transmission oil pan.
3. 3
   LOOSEN the upper bolts from the oil pan, extract them about 1/2 way out, but don't remove them
4. 4
   Remove the side and lower bolts surrounding the oil pan
5. 5
   You may need to use a RUBBER MALLET to tap the sides of the pan to break it loose.
6. 6
   Put a container under the oil pan to catch the transmission fluid
7. 7
   Pull the oil pan away from the transaxle. The upper bolts are still holding the pan, loosely to the transaxle.
8. 8
   After the oil flow stops, carefully remove the upper bolts and pour the remaining fluid from the oil pan into your container.
9. 9
   There is probably a magnet inside the oil pan, pull out the magnet and see if it's loaded with metal shavings.
10. 10
    Remove the transmission oil filter (should be able to just pull it off).
11. 11
    Replace the filter
12. 12
    check the seal on the transmission pan (if it's in bad condition it could leak when you put it back on).
13. 13
    Replace the pan in reverse order
14. 14
    Add a quart of transmission fluid (find out what type for your vehicle)
15. 15
    Start the vehicle and check the fluid level, if low add fluid
16. 16
    Let the vehicle run for a while and check the level again.
17. 17
    Remember, when you perform the above (pan & Filter) service you are only replacing a small percentage of the total transmission fluid. If your transmission fluid is discolored and or smells burned I suggest you FLUSH as much of the old fluid as you can rather that replacing what fluid was in the pan. If you don't have access to a flushing machine (what D.I.Yer does?)You may be able to perform this by disconnecting one of the transmission cooler lines that run to the radiator and hooking a hose to that pressure line so you may capture the spent fluid in a container. Make sure it IS the pressure line you have disconnected, then start the vehicle and let the transmission pump the fluid into the 1 gal +container. Make sure you have vehicle in PARK and when you hear the fluid 'spitting' you have removed several quarts of fluid that was in the CONVERTOR. When you just drop the pan this convertor fluid (usually 5-6 qts on full size vehicles) stays put. OK, now that the pan is empty you can remove it ONLY if you feel you want to change the internal filter and inspect the debris inside the pan. If you performed this function I suggest you always install a new pan gasket making sure ALL the old gasket id removed. NOW you can add 4 fresh quarts of fluid into the transmission; you still have the cooler line hose in a fresh one gallon+ container and remove that second 4 quart amount. This fluid will NOT be the new fluid you just installed but additional fluid that was in the convertor and pump....Now you have almost replaced all the fluid that an expensive flushing machine would perform. If you do the above cooler line flush every 50,000 miles your transmission should last and last. Don't wait for the fluid to get discolored or burned! Overutiltized fluid is the cause of most transmission failures...AND be sure to purchase the correct fluid for your vehicle.

    
    

Tips

• Show the condition of the magnet with all of the shaving still on it along with the old oil filter to your transmission expert. This may help diagnose a problem. A clogged filter can be the cause of some transmission issues.
• Make sure you know how to check the fluid level properly so you don't over fill or under fill it. Both can cause serious problems for your transmissions.
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