Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill
Transmission Fluid Drain And Refill
Special Tool(s)
Draining
CAUTION: Always refer to the instructions supplied with the flush and fill machine.
NOTE: Draining fluid from the transmission by removing only the fluid pan is acceptable for vehicles that do not have a torque converter drain plug, for normal fluid maintenance.
NOTE: A new procedure for draining and adding transmission fluid, using a suitable transmission flush and fill machine, has been added.
The following is a list of different methods for draining and refilling the transmission fluid:
^ All vehicles using a suitable flush and fill machine.
^ Vehicles equipped with a torque converter drain plug.
^ Vehicles without a torque converter drain plug.
Use the method that is applicable to your vehicle.
All vehicles using a suitable flush and fill machine
1. Normal maintenance requires periodic automatic transmission fluid changes. If a major repair, for clutch, band, bearing, etc., is required, the automatic transmission will have to be removed for repair. At this time, the torque converter and transmission fluid cooler tubes must be thoroughly flushed to remove any dirt. The Oil-To-Air (OTA) cooler should not be flushed if contamination is present, installation of a new OTA should be carried out. The transmission fluid needs to be changed if evidence of fluid contamination is found.
A new oil-to-air cooler must be installed under the following conditions:
1 Evidence of broken transmission components or fluid contamination is found due to the following transmission or converter failure modes:
^ major metallic failure
^ multiple clutches or clutch plate failure
2 When the vehicle is used under normal, continuous or severe conditions, the transmission and torque converter should be drained and refilled with clean automatic transmission fluid.
^ Normal Maintenance
- Change fluid at 48,000 km (30,000 miles).
^ Severe Duty/Major Overhaul
- Change fluid at 48,000 km (30,000 miles).
2. Position the vehicle on a hoist. Place in NEUTRAL.
3. Use a suitable flush and fill machine to change the fluid.
4. When connecting the flush and fill machine, connect the machine to the fluid cooler tube after the fluid cooler on the cooler return line. This will help remove any foreign material trapped in the fluid coolers.
Refill
5. Use only clean automatic transmission fluid.
6. Once the fluid exchange has been completed, disconnect the flush and fill machine. Reconnect any disconnected fluid cooler tubes.
7. NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with a fluid filter, install a new in-line filter.
Install a new in-line transmission fluid filter only.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. With the engine running and the transmission at normal operating temperature 66 - 77°C (150 - 170°F), check and adjust the transmission fluid level, and check for any leaks. If fluid is needed, add fluid in increments of 0.24 liter (0.5 pint) until the correct level is achieved (fluid should be in the cross-hatched area of the fluid level indicator).
Draining
Vehicles equipped with a torque converter drain plug
1. Position the vehicle on a hoist. Place in NEUTRAL.
2. If the vehicle is equipped with an in-line transmission fluid filter, remove and discard the filter.
3. Loosen the transmission fluid pan bolts and allow the fluid to drain.
4. After the fluid has drained, remove the transmission fluid pan.
5. Do not remove the fluid filter. It is not necessary to change the fluid filter during a normal maintenance fluid change.
6. Remove the torque converter drain plug cover.
7. Remove the torque converter drain plug and discard.
8. Clean and inspect the transmission fluid pan, transmission fluid pan gasket, and the magnet.
9. Thoroughly flush the cooler tubes.
Refill
10. After the torque converter has drained, install a new drain plug.
11. Install the torque converter drain plug cover.
12. Position the magnet into the transmission fluid pan.
13. NOTE: The transmission fluid pan gasket is reusable, clean and inspect for damage, if not damaged, the gasket should be reused.
Install the transmission fluid pan and gasket.
1 Position the transmission fluid pan and gasket in place.
2 Install the transmission fluid pan bolts.
14. NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with a fluid filter, install a new in-line filter,
Install a new in-line transmission fluid filter only.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. CAUTION: The use of any other transmission fluid than specified can result in the transmission failing to operate in a normal manner or transmission failure.
CAUTION: Do not use any supplemental transmission fluid additives or cleaning agents. The use of these products can cause internal transmission components to fail; this will affect the operation of the transmission.
Fill the transmission.
^ Add 4.7 liters (5 qts) of clean automatic transmission fluid through the fluid filler tube.
17. Start the engine. Move the transmission range selector lever through all the gear ranges., checking for engagements.
18. With the engine running and the transmission at normal operating temperature 66 - 77°C (150 - 170°F), check and adjust the transmission fluid level, and check for any leaks. If fluid is needed, add fluid in increments of 0.24 liter (0.5 pint) until the correct level is achieved (fluid should be in the cross-hatched area of the fluid level indicator).
Draining
Vehicles without a torque converter drain plug.
1. Position the vehicle on a hoist. Place in NEUTRAL.
2. If the vehicle is equipped with an in-line transmission fluid filter, remove and discard the filter.
3. Loosen the transmission fluid pan bolts and allow the fluid to drain.
4. After the fluid has drained, remove the transmission fluid pan.
5. Do not remove the fluid filter. It is not necessary to change the fluid filter during a normal maintenance fluid change.
6. Clean and inspect the transmission fluid pan, transmission fluid pan gasket, and the magnet.
7. Thoroughly flush the cooler tubes.
Refill
8. Position the magnet into the transmission fluid pan.
9. NOTE: The transmission fluid pan gasket is reusable, clean and inspect for damage, if not damaged, the gasket should be reused.
Install the transmission fluid pan and gasket.
1 Position the transmission fluid pan and gasket in place.
2 Install the bolts.
10. NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with a fluid filter, install a new in-line filter.
Install a new in-line transmission fluid filter only.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. CAUTION: The use of any other transmission fluid than specified can result in the transmission failing to operate in a normal manner or transmission failure.
CAUTION: Do not use any supplemental transmission fluid additives or cleaning agents. The use of these products can cause internal transmission components to fail; this will affect the operation of the transmission.
Fill the transmission.
^ Add 4.7 liters (5 qts) of clean automatic transmission fluid through the fluid filler tube.
13. Start the engine. Move the transmission range selector lever through all the gear ranges, checking for engagements.
14. With the engine running and the transmission at normal operating temperature 66 - 77°C (150 - 170°F), check and adjust the transmission fluid level, and check for any leaks. If fluid is needed, add fluid in increments of 0.24 liter (0.5 pint) until the correct level is achieved (fluid should be in the cross-hatched area of the fluid level indicator).