Installing New Transmission Fluid
Transmission Service with Pan and Filter Replacement
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Some automatic transmissions have a service pan that houses the transmission
filter. This transmission has a heat shield to keep heat from the exhaust away from
the transmission. Some transmission pans have a fluid drain plug used to drain the
fluid. Insert drain plug removal tool and turn counter clockwise. Loosen the drain plug
until easily removed by hand. Some transmissions do not have a drain plug. In this
case the fluid will exit when the transmission pan is removed.
Automatic Transmission Pan
Remove Drain Plug
Remove Pan Bolts
When the fluid is finished draining, remove transmission pan mounting bolts.
Remove all but two bolts to hold pan in place.
Lowering Transmission Pan
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When all but two bolts remain, place your hand under the transmission pan and
remove the remaining bolts. Gently lower the pan from the car. You may have to move
a heat shield or gear selector cable mount to remove the pan.
Inspecting Transmission Pan for Metal Chips and Clutch Material
When the fluid pan is removed, inspect the pan for metal debris. All transmissions
have some metal in the pan but excessive metal can mean more serious problems.
The transmission in this example was maintained properly and has little
metal in the pan. A particle magnet traps metal
keeping it away from moving internal parts.
Installing Transmission Pan Gasket
Before fitting your new gasket to the transmission pan, clean the pan magnet
completely. Some gaskets are manufactured with gasket sealer built right in like
the one in the diagram above. If a gasket is made of cork or some other style of
gasket, you will need a gasket fastening cement before installation.
Removing Used Transmission Filter
Some filters are secured to the transmission with bolts or clips. The transmission
filter in this photo is held in by an o-ring seal at the front of the filter. Grasp
the transmission filter firmly and twist to remove, fluid will be present
in the filter.
Cleaning Gasket Surface
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Before re-installing transmission pan; clean the gasket sealing surface with
a gaskets scraper and shop towel. This enables a secure seal to the new gasket when the pan is reinstalled.
While the transmission pan is removed inspect the electrical connection
to the shift control solenoids. The control solenoids determine what gear the transmission
is operating in and are housed in the valve body. All electrical connectors inside
the transmission should be secure for proper operation.
Installing New Transmission Fluid Filter
Always replace the seal for the transmission filter. As with most seals, its
important that this seal does not leak. If the transmission filter seal leaks it
can cause the transmission to ingest air causing low transmission hydraulic pressure.
This causes the clutch disc's to slip and can cause premature failure. Reinstall
filter in its proper location, re-bolt or re-clip as needed.
Re-Installing Automatic Transmission Pan
Carefully reinstall the transmission pan, do not damage the gasket on
reassembly or transmission fluid might leak. Reinstall bolts and tighten them in sequence one
away from the other and continue until all pan bolts are snug. (Note: do not over
tighten gasket.)
Locate and Remove Automatic Transmission Level Dip Stick
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Adding Transmission Fluid Using a Funnel
Insert fluid funnel and add transmission fluid until the proper amount of
fluid level is reached.
Helpful Information
Changing the fluid in the automatic transmission in your vehicle promotes
proper operation and helps the transmission last longer without failure. All car
manufacturers have different service intervals for their particular
transmission. In a typical transmission service, the fluid is completely flushed
(including the torque converter), a filter is changed, the transmission pan is
cleaned and a new pan gasket installed.
Common Problems
Premature transmission failure due to lack of maintenance, low fluid, dirty
filter.
Manual transmission: premature clutch failure due to abusive driving habits.
Best Practices
Allow the engine to warm and recheck the fluid level.
Do not overfill the transmission, it could cause the fluid to foam which
can cause premature transmission failure.
Recheck transmission for leaks and recheck fluid level in a couple of
days.
When refilling, use manufacturer specified fluids.