How you can change computerized transmission fluid | Autoblog Wrenched

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Altering your personal computerized transmission fluid ought to be accomplished each 20,000 to 50,000 miles. Good factor it is fairly straightforward! See how on this Autoblog Wrenched.

Watch all of our Autoblog Wrenched movies for extra recommendations on tips on how to diagnose, repair, and modify automobiles from skilled detailer Larry Kosilla. When you’re at it, try Larry’s different automobile cleansing and upkeep video collection Autoblog Particulars!

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Directions (video transcript):

[00:00:00] [Narrator] Altering your computerized transmission fluid is simple and ought to be carried out each 20 to 50,000 miles for many autos that require a service, however test your proprietor’s guide to search out out when it ought to be modified, what sort of fluid is required, and what number of quarts the system holds earlier than you get began. Listed below are the instruments you will have to do it your self. Socket and torque wrench, brake clear, catch can, scrubbing pad, bucket, gasket adhesive, transmission fluid, gloves, security glasses, fundamental instruments, rags, and a funnel.

[00:00:30] I am Larry Kosilla, pro-detailer and coach for the final 15 years, however in the case of what’s beneath the hood, I am the coed. Comply with me as consultants educate me tips on how to diagnose, repair, and modify automobiles on Autoblog’s Wrenched. I’ve heard of fast lube locations providing a transmission change, a service, and even a flush. What is the distinction between these two? – Effectively, a fluid change can be the place you simply drop the fluid out, you set recent fluid on high. A service can be eradicating the pan,

[00:01:00] placing in a recent filter, after which filling the fluid again within the high. A flush really cleans the fluid out of the torque converter, which maintain a number of quarts of oil that you may’t drain by simply taking the pan out, so one of many higher methods to do it’s should you put in recent fluid, put in a brand new filter, drive it round for awhile, you are dissipating numerous the previous fluid, mixing it in, you then drop that once more. Now it is arduous as a result of it’s important to do it twice, but it surely’s really easy you possibly can really do it your self. – [Larry] Verify the present fluid to get an concept of its situation, scent, colour, and stage.

[00:01:30] Use the identical colour paper towel now as you’ll later so you possibly can evaluate the transmission fluids simply. Be sure you have an empty catch can earlier than you begin this course of. With the automobile within the air, discover the transmission and unscrew the drain plug or, in some circumstances, you will have to unscrew a number of bolts on the pan and do what’s known as a sluggish drain earlier than eradicating all of them to keep away from an enormous mess. Fortunately, this automobile has a drain plug, which makes this course of loads simpler.

[00:02:00] Now, with many of the fluid out, take away the transmission pan. With the pan out of the automobile, now it is time to do some detailing. First, take away the earlier gasket with a plastic razor blade or scrub pad, ensuring to not gouge the flat floor, which could trigger a future leak. Brake clear the pan in and out, associated bolts and pay particular consideration to the magnet filter. Very like oil drain plugs, transmissions have magnets, as nicely, hooked up to the within of the pan

[00:02:30] to draw steel shavings from the transmission throughout its use. It is scary to see all of the steel items, however I am informed it is fully regular. Take a look at the transmission mating floor and ensure that is as clear because the pan. That is a particularly essential step for an ideal seal, so it should not really feel tough or bumpy, or have any leftover gasket residue. Now that every little thing is clear and able to go, it is time to change the filter, but it surely’s a good suggestion to verify the previous one and the brand new one are precisely the identical.

[00:03:00] Most filters can have a rubber gasket, like this one right here. Add new transmission fluid to the rubber for a greater seal previous to putting in and torquing. Subsequent, reinstall the pan, however a brand new gasket is required to exchange the previous one we scraped off. Earlier than including a brand new gasket, a sticky gasket adhesive is positioned on the mating floor to carry the gasket in place through the re-installation to keep away from it shifting or sliding and presumably inflicting a leak down the street. Now rigorously set up the pan whereas making an attempt to keep away from shifting the gasket,

[00:03:30] then hand tighten all of the freshly cleaned bolts. As soon as the pan bolts are hand comfortable, torque them in a criss-cross sample to evenly crush the gasket, a lot the identical as torquing your lug nuts. On this case, it is only a few extra bolts. When you’re questioning the place to search out the torque specs to your automobile, you possibly can simply test on-line or together with your native vendor. Take the previous fluid in your beforehand empty catch can and pour it into an previous gallon or quart container to measure precisely how a lot was faraway from the tranny.

[00:04:00] Be sure you correctly get rid of the spent fluid. That is poisonous and have to be disposed of correctly. Verify your native auto components retailer to see in the event that they recycle or can advocate the place to go. Add your funnel to the dipstick tube, and change the identical quantity of previous fluid, however with new fluid. Subsequent, begin the automobile, and together with your foot on the brake, undergo the gears to assist flush the clear fluid by means of the torque converter, which can squeeze out the previous fluid that was as soon as trapped and left behind even after our first drain.

[00:04:30] Now with the automobile turned off, return to the drain plug and drain the fluid as soon as once more with out eradicating the pan. You may see the clear fluid we put in only a few minutes in the past blended with the previous, and now has turned every little thing a bit bit darker, but it surely’s positively higher than our previous or authentic fluid we as soon as had within the automobile. Now repeat the final step by including the identical quantity that was eliminated like we did earlier than. Afterwards, begin the automobile, run by means of the gears once more,

[00:05:00] and high off the fluid as required. Most automobiles must be working in idle for the dipstick studying to be correct, however test your guide to make sure. Likewise, ensure that your automobile is on a flat and even floor to keep away from a false dipstick measurement. So here is what I’ve discovered. When altering your fluid, you actually solely get about 50% of the previous fluid out as a result of the remainder is trapped within the intricate maze that’s your transmission. Quantity two, be sure to use the precise spec fluid to your transmission present in your guide

[00:05:30] or you could trigger untimely sporting. Quantity three, having a drain plug is critical to finish our compromise between a easy change and our DIY flush as we did on this video. And lastly, should you determine to go to an expert, perceive the distinction between a change and a flush. Be certain that your mechanic is conscious that you realize the distinction between the 2 providers, what number of quarts your tranny holds, if he is altering the filter, and naturally, if that is included within the value. For extra how-to automobile restore movies, go to autoblog.com/wrenched.

[00:06:00] I am Larry Kosilla from ammonyc.com. As at all times, thanks for watching.