How to Change Your Transmission Oil

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Have your materials ready before propping up the car.

   This allows any built-up sediment to be removed. , Never get under a car supported only by jacks! ,,,,,,,,,,, Leave no lint in the pan. , Use a gasket scraper or putty knife, but be careful not to damage the pan's mounting surface. ,,,,, Do not tighten them in order, rather, tighten them diagonally like lug nuts. ,,,,,,,,, Park on a level surface, and check the fluid level with the engine idling and the transmission in park. , If it's not, slowly add fluid to bring it up to this point.
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   Step 2: Drive the vehicle until it's at normal operating temperature.

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   Step 3: Raise the car high enough to put it on jack stands.

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   Step 4: Move all your tools under the car.

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   Step 5: Place the drain pan under the transmission oil pan and remove the oil pan bolts along the sides and rear edge of the pan.

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   Step 6: Loosen the front bolts

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   Step 7: but don't remove them yet.

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   Step 8: Carefully pry the pan down starting at the rear

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   Step 9: allowing the fluid to drain into the drain pan.

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    Step 10: If necessary

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    Step 11: use a flathead screwdriver to break the gasket seal

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    Step 12: but be careful not to damage the pan or surface of the transmission case in the process.

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    Step 13: Hold the pan with one hand

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    Step 14: and use the other hand to remove the bolts at the front.

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    Step 15: Lower the pan and pour the rest of the fluid into the drain pan.

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    Step 16: Check the fluid and the bottom of the pan for metal particles that may indicate transmission failure.

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    Step 17: Mark the position of any magnets which may be present in the pan with a scriber.

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    Step 18: Clean the transmission oil pan and magnets (if present) with solvent and dry them well.

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    Step 19: Replace the magnets in the correct positions.

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    Step 20: Be sure all remaining gasket material is gone.

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    Step 21: Remove the bolts holding the transmission filter

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    Step 22: and install the new filter.

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    Step 23: Apply a bead of gasket sealant around the transmission oil pan mounting surface

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    Step 24: including between the bolt holes and the inner edge of the flange.

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    Step 25: Press the new gasket into place

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    Step 26: making sure that all of the bolt holes line up.

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    Step 27: Lift the pan to the bottom of the transmission and insert the mounting bolts until they are finger-tight.

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    Step 28: Tighten the bolts with a torque wrench to the specified torque.

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    Step 29: Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.

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    Step 30: Raise the hood

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    Step 31: and remove the transmission oil dipstick.

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    Step 32: Using a funnel

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    Step 33: add a little fluid at a time

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    Step 34: continually checking the level.

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    Step 35: Once the fluid just registers on the dipstick

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    Step 36: start the engine

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    Step 37: without using the accelerator.

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    Step 38: Let it run at a low idle for about two minutes

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    Step 39: before pressing the brake pedal and shifting the transmission through each gear.

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    Step 40: Put the transmission back in park

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    Step 41: with the engine still idling

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    Step 42: check the fluid level on the dipstick.

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    Step 43: Check around the transmission oil pan for leaks.

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    Step 44: Add more fluid until the level on the dipstick is at the "cool" reading.

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    Step 45: Drive the vehicle until it's at normal operating temperature.

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    Step 46: The fluid level should be to the top mark.

Detailed Guide

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