!#8# Your Car's Transaxle - Does it Need a Fluid and Filter Change?

!±8± Your Car's Transaxle - Does it Need a Fluid and Filter Change?

To keep your car's transaxle running smoothly you need to keep the fluid checked and changed regularly. Before we start a fluid and filter change, let's check the transaxle fluid level and condition. Let's start by checking the transaxle fluid.

The transaxle should be at operating temperature. The transaxle is considered hot after 20 miles of highway driving time. To keep your car's transaxle running smoothly you need to keep the fluid checked and changed regularly. highway driving time. To check the fluid, park the car on a level surface with the engine idling. Put the transaxle into P and set parking brake. The transaxle dipstick is located in the engine compartment. The transaxle dipstick is marked on the head of the indicator. Remove the dipstick and wipe clean. Reinsert dipstick firmly to be sure it has been pushed all the way in. Remove the dipstick and check fluid level while holding it horizontally. All models have a hot and cold side to the dipstick. COLD -- The fluid level should fall in the cold range when the engine has been running a short time. HOT -- The level should fall in the hot range when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. The automatic transaxle dipstick shows the type of fluid and the level indicators.

If the fluid on the dipstick is not a bright red color, and is discolored (brown or black) or smells burnt, this means serious transaxle trouble, probably due from overheating, and should be suspected. The transaxle should be checked out by a qualified service technician to locate the cause of the burnt fluid.

Under normal operating conditions your transaxle fluid and filter should be changed every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. If the fluid is a bright red we can proceed with the fluid and filter change. First we need a list of what tools we need to do the job:

Jack
Jack stands
Gasket scraper
Wrench set
Torque wrench
Socket set
Funnel
Pliers
Service manual
You may need a few other tools depending on make and model.

All 2WD models use DEXRON II or III Mercon fluid, or its superseding type ATF Fluid.
All 4WD models use type T ATF fluid.

Now let's get started with the task at hand. First jack up car and put jack stands under the frame. If the transaxle has a drain plug, remove it and let all the fluid drain out. Put the drain plug, with a new gasket, back in the pan. Next, remove all the bolts around the transaxle pan. Make sure you take care to hold the pan when you take out the last bolt some fluid may remain. Take down pan slowly, taking care not to spill remaining fluid. Next, remove the strainer. Some strainers have two different size bolts. Some strainers have wires attached to the side of the valve body; remove them.

Be sure to remove all old gaskets, including the strainer gasket from the valve body, and the gasket from the transaxle pan. Inside the transaxle pan you will see two or three magnets, remove and clean. Wash all parts very clean. Replace gasket and strainer and be sure to plug in wires. Be sure to put bolts in proper place on the strainer. Next, replace the transaxle pan and be sure the magnets don't interfere with fill tube. Replace pan gasket making sure all bolt holes are aligned slowly. Put pan in place being sure to snug all bolts. Torque bolt in a crisscross pattern to service manual specifications depending on make and model. Next, let car down and add fluid to dipstick tube up to COLD mark; do not overfill. Next, start car at a idle and slowly run car through the gears. Run car until it is at normal operating temperature. Check fluid and add as needed up to HOT mark. Do not overfill. Now we are finished with transaxle fluid and filter service. This is a good task for a week end.