For a 1998 Dodge Stratus, V-6 engine. Do I have to change any filters?How do I change transmission fluid?
ricks_n, This is a nasty heavy job as very few cars or trucks today have automatic transmission sump pan drain plugs. The nasty way it has to be done is by partially loosening all the pan cap screws concentrating on the back half which need to be removed completely. You'll need the largest oil drain pan you can find as you'll be dropping nearly twice the amount of fluid as a normal oil change. The rear half of the pan will allow most of the fluid to drain out. This is the heavy part of the job. The sump pan still is holding 2-3 quarts of oil. It's necessary to remove the remaining cap screws and carefully let the pan down and drain it into your big oil drain pan. There is one easily removable oil screen filter inside the bottom of the transmission that should definitely be changed. Buy the new filter first before starting the job so you'll be familiar with it.
I'm proud of you as this is the safest method transmission-wise to change the fluid. Your handbook in the glove compartment will tell you the fluid capacity of the transmission.How do I change transmission fluid?
Are you sure you need to change it, or just top it up.
I have had automatics and all I ever did was top them up. Check this out with your local garage/shop.How do I change transmission fluid?
Remove plugs in bottom of gear box and differential/s after first placing receptacles underneath them to catch fluid,then remove filler plugs.When drained,refit plugs at bottom of gearbox and diff/s and fill with the correct fluids as per handbook.Normally on all wheel drives at 25,000 miles on transmission and every year or 20,000 miles on the engine.You can just take a sample of the engine oil extracted by syphon from the dipstick hole and have it analyzed to see if it needs changing,but this is only normally done on trucks with 7.5 gallons of oil in the motor.Only change the oils if you have just bought the motor as used and don,t trust the history.In any other respect,only as per handbook intervals.You only need to change the engine oil filters,just clean the transmission filter and refit.If you are unsure ,have a garage do it correctly.How do I change transmission fluid?
Yes there is a filter in the transmission pan. To change the fluid, you have to unbolt the pan from the car and drop it down carefully so as not to spill the fluid or damage the pan. The filter just slides oof and on the sump. Also wipe the pan clean and also clean the magnet that catches metal shavings. Change the gasket making sure there is no residue from the old one on either the pan or the underside of the car. Reinstall the pan and refill with transmission fluid.How do I change transmission fluid?
To do it right I would take it to a shop that can remove all the fluid. Draining it you're self is only going to remove whats in the transmission pan. The rest is in the torque converter which you cannot remove without the machine that shops have. Changing the filter is always a good investment.
DIY is like changing the cars oil but not changing the filter at the same time. Your adding good fluid to the old used fluid that's still in the filter. Some times that can be an entire Qt.How do I change transmission fluid?
yes! change the filter. raise the car and support it so it won,t fall, get a large pan, take out the bolts and let it drain into the pan, change the filter, clean out the pan, put new gasket on, install the pan, just snug the bolts, don,t overtighten them or you will warp the pan, let the car down, put in enough fluid to bring it up to the add mark, start the car and let it idle, go through all the gears and back into park, check the fluid and fill itup and leave it down about 1/2 quart, take the car for a drive to get it hot, bring it back and park on a level surface, check for leaks and fill it to the full mark.
