I have 2 vehicles, 1 @ 52k miles (05 Sable), 1 @ 126k miles (02 Stratus), and the transmission fluid has never been changed in either one. I have never done this before, but I have enough know-how to figure it out. However, I do have some questions for someone with more experience than myself.
1. I have heard that it is not wise to change the tran. fluid in the 126k car because it can cause stuff to fail due to the length of time it has had the same fluid in it. is this true?
2. What is the easiest and/or best way to extract the transmission fluid and what tools do I need? (I have heard that sliding a tube through the dipstick tube and siphoning/pumping it out is the best way)
3. Planning to switch to ROYAL PURPLE. Is there something better?
FYI, I can't afford to put these vehicles in the shop to have this done, and I want the best bang for the buck (thus the Synthetic fluid). Please gear the answers away from %26quot;just take them to the dealership.%26quot;Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
Servicing a transmission will not hurt it, people only say that because they notice the transmission acting up, then have it serviced just before it actually fails.
Using the wrong fluid can ruin a transmission.
Both vehicles would benefit more having the filter replaced as well (especially the higher mileage one).
The Stratus transmission pan is sealed to the transmission with rtv especially designed for this use, it will seem to be glued in place.
I take all but 2 bolts out leaving the last 2 slightly loosened and hit the pan from the side with a rubber dead blow hammer to break the bond, you will know when it is coming loose because it will start to leak (have a wide drain pan ready under it).
Make sure when you replace the filter that there is only one o-ring in place, also the transmission will continue to drip from the differential so it is best to let it set for awhile because you want a clean dry surface for the rtv to seal to when you put the clean dry pan back on.
Expect to use about 5q of atf +4 and recheck after you drive because the dif. will fill as slowly as it drained.
As for the Mercury, I'm not to sure about the quirks with that one.Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
1 the vehicle with 126,000 miles just drop the transmission fluid pan and install a new filter and that won't hurt it one bit, it will actually help it.
2 do the same with your second vehicle as your not going to get all the fluid out of the tranny as over half of the fluid is in the torque converter and there is no drain plug on the converter on most cars so your idea of adding synthetic fluid to it is also shot down as you can't mix synthetic with regular tranny fluid.Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
not wise to flush is wise to replace it but even then doesnt have to do it most cars if drove right 300,000 plus miles easy my car has over 380,000 never been touch yet
just drain it and replace filter all you really need better to have it done since its a mess
but its not hard just a few bolts
can suck it out but you cant replace filter
any type of fluid is fine but sure any Synthetic is better
and ever go to dealerships unless its free any shop can do just as good as a dealership plus cheaperEasiest way to change transmission fluid?
Don't laugh, but the easiest way is to drill a 3/16%26quot; hole at the low point of the pan to drain it out. It's easy to plug the hole afterwards with a 1/4%26quot; self tapping screw plus fiber washer (add a little lock-tite to be sure).Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
You %26quot;MIGHT%26quot; be okay with the 05 sable, but I wouldn't advise it. It's the fresh detergent in the new fluid that will retire the adhesive bonding the friction material to the clutch disks. I don't know why companies don't offer low detergent fluid, but they don't. I've been a mechanic for over 20 years, so I've seen this a hundred times.
Yes, the easiest and cleanest way to remove the trans fluid is through a small hose down the dipstick tube, but no matter what method you employ, you cannot remove the fluid (2%26amp;1/2 qts) in the torque converter. No matter how good the new fluid is it will be mixing with stuff that has 126000 miles on it. My advise is save your money, and don't even think of that crap in a can! Nothing can fix any damage that's already been done. Good luck!Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
FORGET Royal Purple. When you read the bottle, it actually has no recommended car-makers listed. It is NOT true that changing the fluid at high mileage will cause an instant melt-down. There are many variables involved here. The trans pan must be dropped to change the trans filter and pan gasket. Wash whateer you see with brake cleaner spray. This removes graphite (clutch droppings). CLean the bottom of the trans pan, re-install it, and top up the fluid. USE ONLY fluid that states %26quot;designed for use in Ford cars%26quot; in the sable. Use ONLY fluid that states %26quot;designed for use in Chrysler cars%26quot; in the other. REALIZE that your transmission holds MANY quarts of old fluid in the vlave body and in the torque converter. You can ONLY improve the concentration of old to new fluid by changing the fluid only. You MUST do a flush and fill afterwards. This requires expensive equipment to accomplish. CALL several dealerships to see if they are running specials on this service. They WILL use the proper fulids, and the proper techniques to get the job done CORRECTLY. PLUS, you will get a receipt with some kind of warranty on it. The only transmissions I know of that require only a fluid changing are in some Honda cars. Trans fluids today are car-maker specific. NEVER use a generic fluid. All later model cars use synthetic trans fluid from the factory. Dino based fluids are a thing of the past. When you do this job the right way, car neurosis is reduced. Good luck!!Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
on the 126K leave it alone on the sable pull down trans pan stating at the pass side run up one side then the other leave the 4 bolts on the back end one at a time the fluid should be just starting to drain out if not use a screw driver and don't pry to hard and the pan will come down yes you might make a mess when down to last bolt try to hold pan and remove bolt at same time the pan gasket you see m should be black if it is it's a reusable gasket when you pull down the filter you will see a green boot stuck up it the opening that must come out you can use small screw driver to do this just make sure you do ot disturb any thing in that area the new filter will have the boot on it put a little oil on it and push it up in place clean all rust off the outside corners of the pan and put everything back as far as fluid use the ford fluid because you will not be able to get all fluid out of the trans because there is no way to get it out of the torque convertor still will be several quarts in there so you do not want two different fluids in the trans add 5 qts then start top off and recheckEasiest way to change transmission fluid?
Here's the deal:
If the fluid is burnt (it will be brown) or has a lot of metal in it (when you wipe the dipstick on a paper towel there will be silver on the towel) then you need a rebuild, changing the fluid will cause it to slip.
To change the fluid, put the car on jackstands if it is to low to get under, then raise your floor jack just up to the bottom of the trans. oil pan (touching it, not exerting any force). Have cardboard under the car, this can make a big mess if it doesn't go well. Un-bolt it, SLOWLY let it down then grab it and dump it in your container (check again for metal). Then put a couple quarts in it, raise it back up, get it to be full then start the engine, get it warm and keep checking the fluid level and add as necessary.
As for switching the fluid, I'm not sure about what the procedure would be. I don't think it would be a big deal but I honestly don't know.
Hope this helps!Easiest way to change transmission fluid?
1 - Not true - check quality of trans fluid, at that mileage it will be dark already, fluid change will be good for it, (think about it, if its true, then when will it be changed). Just make sure to use same type and grade of fluid. Now the other car may still be good at 52k, check the fluid if its red or pinkish and is still very transparent then its still good.
2 - The best way is the only way I would recommend, put the vehicle on stands and go under, remove the drain bolt. This way you will get almost every single drop of the old fluid. Sliding a tube doesnt not work all the time, and still leaves some of the old fluid. Now for filling the trans fluid, its a little hard to use a pump from underneath, also you dont know if its full until it spills out of the fill hole which could be messy. You can use the dip stick tube to fill it up, it will be slow and you have to keep it in check how much you have put in and make sure not to overfill it.
3 - Royal Purple is great, but I tend to stick to what the vehicle manufacturer recommends. I find it overkill, unless its for high performance.
