Transmission service

NRH_123

MEMBER
2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT

I noticed a little slipping in my transmission today. I checked the fluid level and the fluid is dark. Looks like it needs changing. First of all, would that cause slippage? Second of all what type of fluid does my car take? Is there a drain plug? Do I need to change the filter and if so, where is it?

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 8:14 PM

6 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Did you notice metallic flakes and/or burning smell from the fluid? If so than that would indicate internal failure in the tranny somewhere. If it's just dark then it's dirty and needs replaced, it may or may not be the cause of slipping. To replace it you would have to disconnect a hose from the tranny and let it drain out of it by starting engine and put in Neutral. After that, remove the drain plug from bottom of transaxle case to get the rest to drain.

This guide will help walk you through the steps

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Fluid Types
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE

LUBRICANTS

A/T fluid .................... DIAMOND ATF SP III or equivalent

Capacities
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE

LUBRICANTS

A/T fluid L (qt) .................... 7.8 (8.2)

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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 8:47 PM

NRH_123

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8 POSTS

Who carries this ATF SP III?

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 10:39 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Get it from a Mitsubishi dealer or can substitute with DEXRON III or Mopar ATF+4

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 10:45 PM

NRH_123

MEMBER
8 POSTS

You're sure about the Dexron III, right? When I called Mitsubishi, the fella tried to sell me a quantity of ATF under the brand name Bully Bull Dog and said it ran $49. Interesting enough, when I pressed him, he couldn't give me the type of tranny fluid it was. I thought that sort of suspicious. So anyhow, Dexron III will do the trick?

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 10:58 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6