How Do I Change My Automatic Transmission Filter?

WARNING! Always have the vehicle under inspection on level ground, in park with the emergency brake on. Always wear protective eyewear, gloves and necessary clothing before inspection or work begins. Never crank an engine over when anyone is near the battery or engine. Always have an operational fire extinguisher close by, obey all first aid instructions in the event of an injury. Never stand in front or behind a vehicle when cranked over or running. When engine is cranked over keep hands and clothing away from rotating components. Never move a car without proper brake pedal operation. Changing the fluid in the transmission in your vehicle promotes proper operation and helps the transmission last longer without failure. All car manufacturers have different service intervals for particular transmission. In a typical transmission service, the fluid is completely flushed, a filter is changed, the transmission pan is cleaned and a new pan gasket installed. When refilling, use manufacturer specified fluids. READ COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING! Step 1 - Replacement Parts (service kit) and Transmission Fluid

Start with proper tools, transmission fluid and transmission filter service kit. The service kit includes a transmission filter with seal and pan gasket. All transmission fluid varies from car to car. Consult your vehicle's owners manual for your particular type of transmission fluid. Step 2 - Identify Components Most automatic transmissions have a service pan that houses the transmission fluid and filter. This transmission has a heat shield to keep heat from the exhaust away from the transmission. Some transmission pans have a fluid drain plug used to drain fluid. Step 3 - Drain Transmission Fluid Drain transmission fluid: 1.) Insert drain plug removal tool and turn counter clockwise. 2.) Loosen the drain plug until easily removed by hand. Some transmissions do not have a drain plug. In this case the fluid will exit when the transmission pan is removed. Step 4 - Drain Transmission Fluid After the drain plug is loosened, remove plug to drain transmission fluid into oil catch pan then let drain until completely empty. Step 5 - Remove Transmission PanWhen the fluid is finished draining, remove transmission pan mounting bolts. Remove all but two bolts to hold pan in place. Step 6 - Removing Transmission Pan When all but two bolts remain, place your hand under the transmission pan and remove the remaining bolts. Gently lower the pan from the car. You may have to move a heat shield or gear selector cable mount to remove the pan. Step 7 - Checking the Pan for Metal Debris When the fluid pan is removed, inspect the pan for metal debris. All transmissions have some metal in the pan but excessive metal can mean you may have more serious problems. The transmission in the diagram is very well maintained and has little metal in the pan. Most transmission pans have a particle magnet that traps metal and keeps it away from moving parts. Step 8 - Clean Transmission Pan Fit Gasket Before fitting your new gasket to the transmission pan, clean the pan magnet completely. Some gaskets are manufactured with gasket sealer built right in like the one in the diagram above. If your gasket is made of cork or some other style of gasket, you will need a gasket fastening cement before you can install the gasket. Step 9 - Changing Transmission Filter Most automatic transmissions have a filter that is located in the transmission pan. Some filters are secured to the transmission with bolts or clips. The transmission filter in this photo is held in by a o-ring seal at the front of the filter. Grasp the transmission filter firmly and twist slightly to remove, fluid will be present in the filter. Step 10 - Identify Internal Transmission PartsBefore reinstalling transmission pan; clean the gasket sealing surface with a shop towel. This enables a secure seal to the new gasket when the pan is reinstalled. While the transmission pan is remove you can inspect the electrical connection to the shift control solenoids. The control solenoids determine what gear the transmission is operating in and are housed in the valve body. All electrical connectors inside the transmission should be secure for a good electrical connection. Step 11 - Re-install New Transmission Filter Always replace the seal for the transmission filter. Like with most seals, it is important that this seal does not leak. If the transmission filter seal leaks it can cause the transmission to ingest air causing low transmission hydraulic pressure, allowing the clutch disc's to slip and cause premature failure. Re-install filter in it's proper location, re-bolt or re-clip as needed. Step 12 - Re-Install PanCarefully reinstall the transmission pan, do not damage the gasket on reassembly or transmission fluid could leak. Reinstall bolt and tighten them in sequence one away from the other and continue until all pan bolts are snug. (note: do not over tighten, pan gasket could flatten out and leak) Step 13 - Remove Transmission Fluid Level Check Locate and remove the transmission fluid level checker, in most cars and trucks this is where the fluid is checked and added. Step 14 - Refilling Transmission Insert fluid funnel and add transmission fluid until the proper amount of fluid level is reached. Let engine warm and recheck fluid level, add fluid as needed. Do not over fill the transmission, it could foam the fluid and cause low fluid pressure causing premature transmission failure. recheck transmission for leaks and recheck fluid level in a couple of days.