What are the steps for changing automatic transmission fluid?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission fluid replacement mainly consists of the following five steps: 1. Loosen the drain plug to drain the fluid. 2. Remove the oil pan screws, take off the oil pan and transmission filter, then clean the oil pan and replace with a new transmission filter. 3. Reinstall the cleaned oil pan, connect the circulation machine pipelines, and start the circulation machine. 4. Start the engine, lift the vehicle, and leave the gearshift lever in each gear position for a few minutes to replace the fluid in the clutches and brakes of all gear positions. 5. After completing the fluid change, take the car for a test drive, then with the engine running, open the inspection hole to drain excess fluid and prevent overfilling.
Changing automatic transmission fluid sounds complicated, but when I did it myself for the first time, I took some time to research. The steps are actually divided into several parts: First, park the car on a level surface, turn off the engine and let it cool for at least half an hour before starting to avoid burns. Then lift the vehicle—I used a hydraulic jack, but if you don't have one, you can ask a repair shop for help. Open the transmission fluid pan bolt and use a large basin to catch the old fluid as it drains, making sure not to dirty the ground. Next, replace the fluid filter as well, buying and installing a new one according to the correct model. After the old fluid has completely drained, tighten the bolt and slowly pour new fluid into the fill hole—make sure to use the right type of fluid and don't mix it up, referring to the vehicle manual. Once filled, start the engine and shift through the gears for a few minutes to check if the fluid level is at the marked line—add more if it's too low. Don't forget to clean up the surrounding area and test-drive the car to see if the shifting is smooth. Regularly change the fluid every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers to protect the transmission from sudden failure, saving money and hassle.
