At certain time intervals it is essential to change transmission fluid and to replace the filter with a new one and for this purpose there is no drain plug and the transmission oil pan is removed from bottom to drain out the fluids. Before draining, buy the recommended type and amount of transmission fluid and a new filter; make sure that there is a need for gaskets; if there is, get an oil pan gasket together with an O-ring seal. You also require jackstands to support the car, a wrench for the oil pan bolts, an oil pan which should be about 6 quart capacity, newspapers, and rags. The respective fluid should be drained as soon as the car has been driven to evacuate sediment deposits, and the protection gloves because of hot fluids. After making the fluid warm turn the vehicle on jackstands to allow for access to the bottom, and ensure that it is safely lifted. Place the drain pan directly under the transmission oil pan, undo the oil pan bolts and half tighten the front bolts without extracting them. Loosen the oil pan at the rear to drain the hot fluid by pulling it with your hands; you may use a screwdriver, but care to not mar the gasket seat. Scope the pan, take out the other front bolts, and eliminate any leftover fluid, look for particles of metal to signify internal transmission breakdown. The filter/strainer is now inserted towards the blower end and secured by three screws; it is recommended that all three screws and the filter/strainer together with its O-ring be removed. Use solvent to wipe the transmission oil pan and check for metal particles and foreign materials; if there is a compressed air, blow over the pan. Here it is necessary to clean the surface where the filter is mounted on the valve body so that surfaces should be smooth and there should not be any kind of damage on it. The new O-ring should then be fitted on the pick-up pipe together with the new filter, the new gasket should then be placed in position after applying some petroleum jelly to hold it. After that, use the mounting bolts and install the pan to the bottom of the transmission; however, tighten the bolts diagonally. Pull over, put the car on a lower gear, then open the bonnet and get the transmission fluid dipstick. Thanks to different cars having different fluid capacities, pour the fluid slowly intermitting the use of the dipstick to see the current level, pouring four quarts using the funnel through the filler tube then allowing some fluid to run to the pan. Put the selector lever in 'Park' position, set off the engine and clutch, engage the parking brake and then switch on the engine and let it run at low rpm for some time. With the brake pedal depressed and the parking brake applied press the shift lever through all gear positions and return to Park. Insert the dipstick and spin it, then pull it out and check the level against the Full mark; if a person overfills it, then the excess has to be drained by removing the oil pan. Last, inspect and verify oil leak at the lower mating surface of the pan, reinsert the dipstick back to its tube and start the car to bring it to normal running temperature then switch off the car, park on a flat ground and use the chassis dipstick to check the fluid level with the engine running in idle, the transmission system in park and add fluid up to the Full mark without overfilling.
Posted by MoparPartsGiant Specialist