Transmission Fluid Change: Step-By-Step Guide
Transmission fluid has multiple functions and is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s transmission. Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant, ensuring optimal performance and smooth gear shifts. It helps to prevent excessive heat build-up by reducing friction between moving parts. Over time, transmission fluid degrades and becomes less effective at protecting clutches and gears. To help preserve your transmission and maintain these functions, regular transmission fluid changes are needed.
When to Change Transmission Fluid
It is crucial to recognize the signs that your transmission fluid needs to be changed. Symptoms such as trouble going into gear, thumps, or hard shifts between gears, jumping or slipping gears, strange noises such as whining or grinding, and delay in acceleration are all signs pointing to it’s time to change the transmission fluid.
Step-By-Step on How to Change Transmission Fluid
Gather Materials Needed:
Gather materials such as tools, transmission fluid, a drain pan, and safety gear.
Lift Your Vehicle:
Using a jack stand or a lift, safely raise your vehicle to be able to access the transmission pan.
Locate Drain Plug:
On the bottom of the transmission pan, locate the drain plug. Place drain pan beneath the transmission pan to catch old transmission fluid.
Drain Old Transmission Fluid:
Remove the drain plug. Allow old fluid to drain into the drain pan. Once completely drained, clean the drain plug and pan.
Remove Transmission Pan:
Remove the bolts using the appropriate socket wrenches. Secure the transmission pan and gently tap the pan to loosen it and carefully lower it.
Replace Transmission Filter:
The transmission filter is located inside the pan. Remove and replace filter according to your vehicle’s specifications.
Clean Pan:
Clean the transmission pan and using the bolts, reattach the pan. Tighten bolts evenly to prevent any leaks.
Add New Transmission Fluid:
Near the engine, locate the transmission dipstick. Add an appropriate amount of new transmission fluid that is recommended for your vehicle. Using a funnel will aid in adding fluid.
Check Fluid Level:
Start and allow your vehicle to idle for a few minutes. Shift through the gears. Place back in park and recheck the transmission fluid level using the dip stick. Make any adjustments to fluid level if needed.
Eagle Transmission in Mesquite
At Eagle Transmission in Mesquite, we understand how important proper transmission maintenance is. Our technicians are skilled and experts at performing transmission fluid changes. Contact us today to schedule a transmission fluid change or any maintenance your
vehicle may need. Serving Dallas, Wilmer, Rockwall and more.
