Changing Automatic Transmission Fluid (is easy)

[veeref]

Forgive me if this seems like a stupid question. I have an '06 2.5i AT, and I plan on changing my AT fluids (as well as my F/R diff). Is this guide still pertinent to my model?

Much Thanks,
Randy

[nipper]

It takes three drain and fills to get all the fluid out. Drain, fill, start the car and run it through all gears, then repeat. Most the fluid is in the torque converter not the pan.
In the cars without an external filter, there is no need to replace the internal one, as it is just a screen. Most the time this gets replaced and the pan leaks.

nipper

[mckeand13]

Without the fancy machine, is it possible to pull the tranny lines (wherever they may be) and put one in a pan and somehow push new fluid in?

[Brucey]

If you were to put the out line from the radiator into a big empty contaier, and dip the return line into a massive 10 quart container of fresh fluid, it sounds like it would work. I'm not sure if there would be enough pressure on the return line however.

[97obw]

the fluid is lifetime, dont worry about it...makes no difference read your manuals

[Brucey]

I guess I don't care what a manual says, but 'lifetime of vehicle' in a factory manual means "till warranty runs out" to me.

[rockhopjohn]

Lifetime means to me till you have to carry that load of geologists and gear over a mountain pass in middle of the summer and your tranny fluid gets baked. A little common sense is required when interpreting maintenance interval in the manual.

[ivwarrior]

Originally posted by Brucey
I guess I don't care what a manual says, but 'lifetime of vehicle' in a factory manual means "till warranty runs out" to me.

+1

[ETC]

i would have to agree with the majority here. it seems that these "lifetime" parts and fluid are a sales ploy to make you feel better about buying the car. spark plugs don't last 100k miles, i don't care what the box says.

my wifes 740 has "lifetime trans fluid" in it, i asked a very knowledgeable mechanic who specializes in bmws what i need to take care of as far as maintenance since the warranty was up, first thing he said was change the trans fluid around 60k. he knows i'll do it myself so he wasn't trying to make a buck. the fluid for that is bmw specific and costs around $360 just for the fluid, ouch. he basically said "cheap insurance, $500 or so now, $6000 for a new trans later.

chevy recommends a trans fluid/filter change at 60k, people who know these trans say 15-20k.

remember that manual was written on the expertise of the same guys who's solution to a blown headgasket was to add some liquid to the coolant.

[mckeand13]

Can somebody ID the pressure and return side of the two tranny lines going into the radiator?

Here's my plan:

1) Drain the pan (probably drain about 3qt from what I've read)
2) Refill to appropraite level
3) Remove return line going from radiator to tranny. connect hose to it and run it into a jug.
4) Start car for a short period of time and drain out 1 or 2 qts. (from what I understand, it doesn't come out really fast. Is that true?)
5) Shut car off and refill to appropriate level
6) Repeat until fluid is clear coming from return line.

Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Thanks.