How to Check and Change your tranny Fluid
Abridged from the SM
To check the fluid.
1. Warm up vehicle - and drive it around t. - If you want to be scientific, get the trany fluid to 158-176 deg F - And it may take a while to get there.
2. Park on a level surface
3. Move the gear selector thru all positions, and back to "N", and apply parking brake
3 1/2. Look around the Transaxle, under the vehicle for any leaks and to generally inspect the condition
4. Clean any dirt away from the dip stick area
5. Pull the dipstick, and smell the fluid. If it smells burnt - You should flush it - that means a trip to the dealer or someone with a flushing machine. If it’s real bad – you should probably have the trany serviced by a pro.
6. Observe the Color - if it is darker brown, or not pink, but doesn’t smell burnt - change it. If its clean and pink and smells like trany fluid, no need to change, unless you are over 60K miles and you haven't changed it yet
7. Wipe off the stick, and reinsert it, and pull it
8. Observe where the level is:
http://64.91.37.32/tr1.gif
9. If the level is low, add some fluid
DIAMOND ATF SP III, ATF SP II M or equivalent
10. Re-check level
11. When you get it where it needs to be, replace the dipstick tightly.
https://www.thegalantcenter.org/styl...ault/smile.gif https://www.thegalantcenter.org/styl...efault/sad.gif https://www.thegalantcenter.org/styl...ault/smile.gif https://www.thegalantcenter.org/styl...efault/sad.gif https://www.thegalantcenter.org/styl...ault/smile.gif https://www.thegalantcenter.org/styl...efault/sad.gif
If you need to change it - and don’t have a flushing machine:
1. Turn off Car
2. Place a container under the car to catch the fluid (3.7 Quarts) (about 8 Quarts total – be prepared)
3. Disconnect this hose (goes from radiator or cooler to trany)
It's pictured Looking at the bottom of the radiator - Using this hose will flush the old fluid from the cooler core.
http://64.91.37.32/tr2.gif
4. Turn on car and place in "N" for MAX of 1 MINUTE, or until all fluid has drained. Then turn off.
5. Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the trans pan - 2.1 more quarts should come out
http://64.91.37.32/tr3.gif
6. install a new gasket (same as oil plug gasket) the smaller side goes towards the pan. You could reuse the gasket - but check for leaks if you do.- but best to replace it.
7 Reinstall the drain plug, and Tighten to 24 Ft-lb
8. Pour in up to 5.8 Quarts of new fluid and repeat step 4. - This will flush out any old fluid still in the trany. (3.7 more quarts should come out)
9.Pour in 3.7 more quarts of new fluid
10 Reconnect the hose disconnected in step 3
11. Run car for 2 minutes, then cycle the gears ending in "N" with parking brake applied
12.Check that the level on the dipstick is in the Cold zone.
13. Replace dipstick and check for leaks
14. Repeat the top of this post and check the hot level
15. You should be done.
You will have collected about 8 Quarts of old fluid
And you will have used about 10 Quarts of new fluid