How to Change the Transmission Fluid in Your Car
Why Change the Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluid is a vital part of your car’s transmission system. It helps to lubricate the gears and other moving parts, and it also helps to dissipate heat. Over time, transmission fluid can become contaminated with metal shavings, dirt, and other debris. This can lead to reduced performance and, eventually, transmission failure.
Changing the transmission fluid is a relatively simple and inexpensive maintenance procedure that can help to extend the life of your transmission. It’s a good idea to change the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, or as recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
What You’ll Need
- New transmission fluid
- Transmission filter (if equipped)
- Drain pan
- Funnel
- Wrench
- Rags
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
- Locate the transmission fluid dipstick. It’s usually located near the back of the engine, and it has a red or orange handle.
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag. Reinsert the dipstick and pull it out again to check the fluid level. The fluid level should be between the “full” and “add” marks on the dipstick.
- If the fluid level is low, add some new fluid through the dipstick tube. Use a funnel to avoid spilling the fluid.
- Locate the transmission fluid drain plug. It’s usually located on the bottom of the transmission pan.
- Place the drain pan under the drain plug and loosen the plug with a wrench. Be careful not to drop the plug into the pan.
- Allow the fluid to drain out. This may take a few minutes.
- Once the fluid has drained out, tighten the drain plug using a wrench.
- Replace the transmission filter (if equipped). The filter is usually located inside the transmission pan.
- Reinstall the transmission pan. Tighten the bolts using a wrench.
- Add new transmission fluid through the dipstick tube. Use a funnel to avoid spilling the fluid.
- Check the fluid level using the dipstick. The fluid level should be between the “full” and “add” marks on the dipstick.
Tips
- It’s a good idea to change the transmission fluid filter at the same time you change the fluid.
- If your car has a lot of miles on it, you may want to flush the transmission fluid. This involves using a special machine to circulate new fluid through the transmission and remove the old fluid.
- If you’re not comfortable changing the transmission fluid yourself, you can have it done by a mechanic.
Conclusion
Changing the transmission fluid is a simple and inexpensive maintenance procedure that can help to extend the life of your car’s transmission. It’s a good idea to change the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, or as recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
