Changing Transmission Oil
Changing thetransmission oilyourself may seem scary at first, if you've never done this job before. And you're right. You need to know what to pay attention to. Otherwise, you might end up with an oil leak and blow up the transmission, if you are not aware of the situation. Yet, once you learn the key steps, you can perform this maintenance task right at home. And, in most cases, you can service the automatic transmission using a few simple tools.Before you start, it is a good idea to have the items you will need for your oil change. Buy the amount of automatic transmission oil recommended for your particular vehicle make and model. You'll find this information in your car owner's manual. Also, buy the transmission pan gasket, gasket sealer and filter recommended for your vehicle.Tools you'll need:* ratchet* ratchet extension* set of sockets* torque wrench-If you don't have access to a torque wrench, you may be able to borrow one from your local auto parts store.* large catch pan* flat-head screwdriver* shop rags* plastic or dull scraper* hammer, if necessary.* torque wrenchGetting your transmission readyReplacing the oil is better when it is warm. Take your car for a 15 minute drive so the oil in the transmission picks up all theloose particlesthat have settled around components. This way, it'll be much easier to flush them out of the system. Back at home, choose a level surface to park your car and turn off the engine. Lift the front of your car and support it on jack stands.Draining the oilPlace the catch pan under the transmission oil pan and begin to loosen the bolts that secure the pan to the transmission. Only work on the front, left and right side of the pan for now. This will let you drain most of the oil before removing the pan completely. Use the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Be careful as the oil in the transmission is going to be extremely hot. Sometimes, you need to break the seal between the pan and the transmission after loosing the bolts, so the oil can drain. You can do this using a scraper and a hammer, being careful not to damage the mating surfaces.Remove all the pan bolts that you loosened and hold the transmission pan with one hand using one or two rags to shield your hand from the hot surface. Then, loosen the bolts on the back side of the transmission pan and let the oil drain. Finally, remove the bolts while holding the transmission pan, lower the pan slowly on a level position and gradually tilt the pan over the catch pan to finish draining the oil.Now, you can remove the transmission filter. The filter is either press fitted or bolted to the underside of the transmission. Carefully pull the filter right off the transmission or remove the mounting bolts using a flat-head screwdriver. Compare the old filter to the new one to make sure you have the correct replacement.Reinstalling the filter and oil panUsing a plastic or dull scraper, remove traces of the old gasket from the transmission and oil pan mating surfaces. Thoroughly clean the surfaces and install the new filter. Before placing the new gasket on the transmission pan, it is a good idea to apply a light coat of gasket sealer to help hold the gasket in place during installation.When ready, position the oil pan in place under the transmission. Hold the pan with one hand and begin to install the pan bolts finger tight with your free hand. After installing all the bolts, tighten them gradually using a crisscross pattern. Then, tighten the bolts to the torque recommended by your car manufacturer using atorque wrench. You can get the torque value for your pan bolts from the service manual for your particular vehicle model. If you don't have this manual on hand, you can check one in the reference section of your local public library.Refilling the transmissionAfter installing the oil pan, lower your car and refill the transmission with the correct amount and type of transmission oil recommended by your car manufacturer-check your car owner's manual. Pour the oil through the transmission dipstick tube using a funnel. Then, replace the dipstick and start the engine. Shift the transmission stick through the gears and back to Park. Take a look under the car and check for oil leaks around the transmission pan and turn off the engine.To be able to change the transmission oil on some vehicle models, you'll need to remove one or more components. This will provide enough room to drop the transmission pan. If necessary, consult the vehicle service manual for your particular car make and model. If you don't have access to one, you might find a copy of the manual in the reference section of your local public library.
