Transmission Fluid Change

[SteveGT1]

Guys can anyone give me some quick tips on changing my transmission fluid? I have 105000 KMS and I believe its time

[Jeremy]

REMOVAL
1.Raise and support the vehicle.
2.Place the drain pan under the transaxle oil pan.
3.Remove the oil pan bolts from only the front and the sides.
4.Loosen the rear oil pan bolts about 4 turns.
5.Lightly tap the oil pan with a rubber mallet or pry in order to allow the fluid to drain.
6.Inspect the fluid color.
7.Remove the remaining oil pan bolts.
8.Remove the oil pan.
9.Remove the oil pan gasket.
10.Remove the oil filter. Use a long screwdriver in order to pry the oil filter neck out of the seal. Check the oil filter seal for damage or wear.

INSTALLATION
1.Install a new seal, as needed. Before installing, coat the new seal with a small amount petroleum jelly.
2.Install a new filter into the case.
3.Install the oil pan gasket. Use a new gasket if the sealing ribs are damaged.
4.Clean and dry the oil pan. Inspect the pan for damage and replace the pan if necessary.
5.Install the oil pan.
6.Install the oil pan bolts. Tighten
7.Tighten the bolts to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).
8.Lower the vehicle.
Fill the transaxle to the proper level with DEXRON® III fluid or the equivalent.
9.Inspect the pan for leaks. Recheck the transmission fluid level.

[SteveGT1]

I have to remove the Oil pan?

[AleroME]

not the engine oil pan... he means the transmission oil/fluid pan.

Where is the opening to add and check fluid. I understand the whole thing but looked for an opening and couldn't find it.

[SteveGT1]

I heard that it is behind the wheelwell the manual should give the location-->don't quote me on that

[Drew99GT]

Originally posted by SteveGT1
I heard that it is behind the wheelwell the manual should give the location-->don't quote me on that

It's actually underneath the airbox. Just dropping the pan only removes like 40 % of the fluid. If you get a tranny flush at the dealership, it will replace 100 % of the fluid and backflush the filter, which is the way to go

[VaGT]

While we are on the topic. Does anyone think that flush system the dealer does is worth the $150-$180 they want for it?

I am thinking maybe a reg do-it-yourself change at 30K, then at 60 flush, then 90 DIY, etc.

I live in a high traffic, short city trip environment, so I am going to use 30-35K intervals.

Originally posted by VaGT
While we are on the topic. Does anyone think that flush system the dealer does is worth the $150-$180 they want for it?....

My dealer charged me $80.00. Of course, that doesn't mean he replaced the transmission fluid with transmission fluid. It might have been Big Red soda pop, as far I know.

[adorai]

Originally posted by lrymal


My dealer charged me $80.00. Of course, that doesn't mean he replaced the transmission fluid with transmission fluid. It might have been Big Red soda pop, as far I know.

that would be funny!

Originally posted by 2000GA
Where is the opening to add and check fluid. I understand the whole thing but looked for an opening and couldn't find it.

The screw on cap where fluid is added can be found on the top of the trans housing. Just start by looking in the vicinity where the air box is located and look straight down at the trans housing until you find the fill cap. On my '99 SE, it is a plastic red colored cap that says trans fluid. I was able to loosen it easily with my 2 fingers I could reach in underneath there. To check the fluid level is alot trickier. Basically you have to get underneath the car in a position so you can reach a plug that is located on the passenger side of the trans housing. It's a small looking metal plug and the car has to be level with the fluid warmed up and the engine running with the gear selector in Park. You then remove the plug and if fluid drains out then it's probably full (if not a bit overfilled). If no fluid drains out then you have to add some fluid until some drains out, then it's full. Kind've a pain.

[Jeremy]

I agree that the trans flush is the best way to go to get all of the fluid replaced, but if you want to do your own flush every 30K miles you can go that route as well.

[SteveGT1]

I just called my local sears auto center and they d me it would be 110.00 (Can) for the fluid and filter. The guy told me that 3 litres would cannot be removed from the torque converter....I called my local GM dealership the other day and they told me it was 129.99 but I didn't ask if it was a 100% flush, I'll have to call them again tomorrow

I think ya'll all are paying too much for a flush. My buddy owns a oil change shop,and he only charges....59.95 for the flush and only 49.99 for a filter change,but he doesn't charge me nothing but parts. I do all my work there.

[Hot_Stud18]

This may sound kinda funny but I want to try to get atleast 300k miles out of my car, so my question is how long is too long to wait before I get a tranny flush I am thinking of getting them every 75k but everyone I know says that its nothing to worry about but my parents did get 150k out of there old 92 GA and never changed the tranny fluid once. So how often should you say to change the tranny fluid, oh and my driving is usually 75% highway and 25% city.

I would assume every 30K would be the max I would go between trans. oil changes. If it was all city mileage then probably every 15K. Even if I had strong intentions of actually keeping a car that long, I still probably would get rid of it after a couple of years or so, I'm rather fickle that way.

[jayno20]

how many quarts of fluid does a tranny hold in a 99 SE??

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by jayno20

how many quarts of fluid does a tranny hold in a 99 SE??

About 13 US Quarts including the torque converter.

About 7 US Quarts in the pan.

[digitalballz]

can we get a how to on this subject. Its been asked at least 3 times in the last 2 weeks.

[drumking1721]

hey guys im planning on doing a flush here soon...im gonna be putting in Royal Purple ATF in there.....how many quarts should i buy?