It is important to replace your transmission filter every 30,000 miles or so. It can be a fairly easy and inexpensive job for someone with an average knowledge of mechanics.
The first thing you must do is remove the transmission dipstick and set it aside. You will then jack up the vehicle and securely support it with jack stands. With the vehicle raised, look for your drain plug; it will be located on either the transmission pan or the case. Place a drain pan beneath the drain plug.
Leaving two pan bolts on both side, remove the other pan bolts to release the transmission fluid. Take out the two bolts on one side as the fluid runs out. When the fluid seems to be done draining, loosen the remaining two bolts. When these two bolts are nearly out, hold the pan with one hand and remove the two bolts with the other hand.
With these bolts now out, lower the pan and let it drain into the drain pan. Remove the old gasket from the pan, being careful to not cause any significant scratches or gouges. (Note: if you see a small plastic plug in the pan, you can throw it away; it is used in the building of the transmission and is of no use).
Almost all transmission pans contain a magnet that is used for collecting the steel dust. Clean this magnet off, return it to the pan and then clean the interior of the pan, too. After cleaning the pan, place a bead of weather strip cement around the mating surface of the pan. Place a new gasket inside the pan and press it onto the cement. Rest the pan, along with the new gasket, on a clean and flat surface to allow the cement to harden.
Take the mounting bolts from the old filter, making sure to avoid the excess fluid that will pour out. Remove the old filter and then allow the fluid to drain. This can take anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour. Install the new filter and your drain plug. You may want to put some wheel bearing grease along the top of the pan gasket in order to seal it. Be sure to tighten every pan bolt and then refill the car with transmission fluid.
Watch the video related to transmission fluid
Transmission fluid helps your car to run smoothly.Learn how to check and fill the fluids on the engine of your vehicle in this free video. Expert: Jon Olson Bio: Jon Olson currently teaches multiple industrial technology classes at the high school level. In addition, he has worked in residential construction for several years. Filmmaker: Jon Olson
Help answer the question about transmission fluid
How do I change the transmission fluid on a 2003 toyota corolla?While changing my oil, a friend mistakenly drained the transmission fluid instead, not noting how much was drained. So now I had to buy the Toyota T-IV transmission fluid and added about 1.5 qts of it already, and it's up to the "cold" notch on the dipstick (I added when the engine was cold). Is this the correct procedure? Shouldn't it be more than 1.5 qts? Should I just add up to the 3 qts that i've heard people do when doing a a drain/refill, or should i just leave it at 1.5 qts? Also should is it ok to check when cold, or should i warm it up first and then check? Your help is appreciated.
ok thank you very much. the dipstick shows a different level when checking while idling in park. a follow-up question: with the engine warmed up, is the fluid supposed to reach the "hot" notch on the dipstick? or should it be ok if it's in between the "cold" and "hot" notches?
i've added roughly 3 qts so far
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Tags: auto, automatic, car, Expert, filter, fluid, free, how, maintenance, to, transmission, Village
August 9th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I have a 2001 Ford Windstar that I took to AAMOCO yesterday for a free diagnostic. They said my tranny was leaking in the front and rear seals. I was quoted $1179.00 to replace the seals alone or suggested to do a complete overhaul with a new torque converter ($379.00) for about $1800.00. I think I’ll just keep adding fluid until I find a better deal.
August 9th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Take off transmission oil pan. Try not to spill too much fluid. Dump fluid into pan and take to auto parts store for recycling. Remove old filter and o-ring. Insert new filter with o-ring. Replace pan. If it has a cork gasket, replace it. Otherwise, the rubber gaskets are made to be re-useable. Do NOT use any sealant on the gasket. Add new Mercon fluid.
Run through the gears and then put in park and check fluid level while idling in park, on a level surface.