How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid Atf
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a highly refined mineral oil which allows smooth power transmission in vehicles with automatic transmissions. It is typically coloured red or green to differentiate it from other engine fluids such as oil or antifreeze. Changing your ATF yourself is a very simple way to save on your car's maintenance costs.
You should have the tools and supplies you will need at hand before you start. At the same time as you replace your ATF, you should also replace the transmission fluid pan gasket and transmission filter. There are many different specifications of ATF: check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation. If your gasket does not come with a built-in seal, you will also need gasket cement. You should also have a small scraper, a small socket set with a rachet, a funnel, a pan to catch the old ATF, and a dropsheet to protect your driveway or garage floor. Safety equipment should include safety glasses. You will also need to jack the car up enough that you can get comfortably underneath it. Thus you may want a mechanic's dolly, and you may also need a flashlight to see where you are working.
Your transmission pan is located under the vehicle toward the drive axle. Thus for rear drive vehicles the transmission pan will be just back of the centre of the vehicle, while for front wheel drive vehicles, the transmission pan will be toward the front of the vehicle, next to the oil pan. The oil pan almost always has a drain bolt, unlike the transmission pan, which usually does not. Where both have a drain bolt, the oil pan is typically the deeper of the two.
After you have safely jacked up your car, place your catchpan under the transmission pan. If your transmission pan has a drain bolt, open it and let the ATF drain out, then remove all but the two opposite transmission pan bolts, holding the pan in place with your hand as you remove the final two bolts. If your transmission pan does not have a drain bolt, loosen all the bolts without releasing them, then remove the bolts in one corner until the fluid starts coming out. Work your way around the transmission pan until you have drained all the ATF, and then remove the transmission pan. Keep the bolts in the same order you took them out. It can take up to half an hour to drain all the ATF.
Inspect the transmission pan for excess loose metal, which will be clinging to the particle magnet. Most transmission pans will contain some metal shavings, but too much could indicate a serious problem with your transmission which should be examined by a professional. Place the transmission pan on the dropsheet.
The key to the next step is to remember that everything goes back on the same way that it came off. It may help to be holding the replacement filter ready in your spare hand while removing the old one, so as to maintain the orientation.
Take out the two or three bolts holding the old filter in place, bearing in mind that there will be fluid in the filter, and place it in the transmission pan. Replace it with the new filter, maintaining the same orientation. Bolt it firmly into place.
Now clean the transmission pan magnet and scrape off any remaining pieces of gasket from both the pan and the transmission housing. Fit the new transmission fluid pan gasket to the pan. Some gaskets come with built-in gasket sealers, others do not. If you have one of the latter, you will need a gasket fastening cement to properly install the gasket.Line up the transmission pan with the transmission housing, loosely fastening the bolts to hold it in place. Don't begin tightening them until you have all the bolts in place. Make the seal snug, but be careful not to overtighten, as this could damage your new gasket.
This completes your work underneath the car. Remove all your tools, and jack the car back down.
Open the hood of the car. Remove your transmission fluid dip stick, and, using the funnel, fill your transmission carefully to its correct level. Most ATF capacities run between three and six quarts (4-8 litres). On average, the larger the vehicle, the more ATF it will need. If you don't know exactly how much ATF your car needs, pour no more than half a quart at a time, checking frequently with the dipstick. Too little ATF will leave your transmission unprotected, while too much will foam the liquid, causing leaks and leading to premature transmission failure. Replace the dipstick and close the hood.
Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes, then check the dipstick level again and top up as necessary. It is also a good idea to run the vehicle around the block, then check the dipstick level again while it is idling.
For optimal automotive performance, you should change your ATF every 50,000 kilometres (30,000 miles), approximately every other oil change. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's exact specifications, since failure to follow these minimums may void your warranty.
