Can you change your own transmission fluid

November 04, 2019

Índice Show

What Transmission Do I Have?
How Much Does it Cost?
How to Check
Instructions
What Transmission Do I Have?
How do I change my transmission fluid myself?
Is it cheaper to change your own transmission fluid?
Can you just change transmission fluid?
Can you service your own transmission fluid?

There's a lot of urban legend around changing the transmission fluid in your vehicle. The biggest legend is if the fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, it shouldn't be because it's old.

That's not really true, but here's what IS true. If the valve body gets all gunked up with transmission fluid that's damaged, the driver could lose the ability to shift between gears.

And that's why so many people believe that changing old transmission fluid can cause it to slip. Want to avoid that whole dilemma altogether? Simply change your transmission fluid regularly and you won't have to worry about it!

So, When Should You Change Your Transmission Fluid?

Every vehicle has its own requirements. That's why following the recommendation in your owner's manual is a must. It will tell you how often the transmission fluid should be changed, and what kind to use.

To check it, for most cars, the transmission dipstick is located behind the oil dipstick. You'll see markings on it that indicate whether the fluid is adequate, or that more needs to be added.

How Do You Know When the Transmission Fluid Needs to Be Changed?

Wipe the dipstick with a clean rag or paper towel. Then look at the color of the transmission fluid.

• If it's bright pink-the fluid is new. No need to change it.
• If it's light brown with a hint of pink-It needs to be replaced.
• If it hasn't been changed in a long time-it will be very dark brown. And, it may have metal particles floating about. This indicates transmission damage.

If your vehicle has lifetime transmission fluid, still check it around 100,000 miles. You want to make sure the vent tubes that allow pressure in your transmission to equalize isn't allowing in dust and moisture, too.

Should You Flush or Simply Change the Transmission Fluid?

Again, let your owner's manual be your guide! It will tell you which is recommended for your car, truck, or SUV.

For changing the fluid-Open the transmission drain (it's on the underside of the car). About 50% of the fluid will drain into the pan. The other half stays in the torque converter as well as other parts of the transmission.

Flushing your transmission-This method allows you to completely change all of the fluid. Attach a transmission hose to the input of the line running through the transmission. Attach another to the output.

By pumping new transmission fluid into the transmission pushes out the old fluid. We caution that this method is only recommended if the current transmission fluid is in relatively good condition, showing no signs of damage.

Want to Avoid the Possibility of Transmission Damage?

As we stated at the beginning of this article, simply change the fluid frequently or as your owner's manual recommends. This will ensure a healthy transmission for the life of your vehicle.

Remember, dirty fluid is not an effective lubricant, so it won't disperse well. Once the clutch packs lose their grip, old fluid may be all that's creating the friction needed to keep your transmission from slipping.

If you want some help keeping your vehicle healthy, consider the Joe Bowman GM certified service experts. Our technicians are highly trained and work on all types of vehicles. Schedule an appointment today!

A do-it-yourself transmission fluid change is an affordable way to maintain and lengthen your vehicle’s performance and lifetime and it will save you from waiting at a service station and listening to a mechanic try to sell you additional services that your doesn’t need.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

To avoid transmission problems, you should check the level and condition approximately once a month using the dipstick. If the color is bright red and it smells sweet, it is still usable, but if it is darker, dirty and/or smells burnt, change it. If the level is low, top it up and check for leaks.

In This Guide

How Often?
How Much Does it Cost?
How to Check the Fluid
Tools You Will Need
Instructions

It is often recommended that you change the fluid in your car every 30,000 to 60,000 miles (see your owner’s manual for the specific advised maintenance schedule).

The frequency should change depending on how tough you are on your transmission and how severe the conditions you drive in are. Tougher conditions include trailer towing, extended high speed driving and driving in cold weather require more frequent changes (every 15,000-24,000 miles give or take).

For automatic transmissions, some manufacturers recommend that the fluid be only changed every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. To tell how hard you’re being on your gearbox, you can install a temperature gauge.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of having your fluid changed at a dealer, service center or independent mechanic ranges from $80-$250. The average is around $100.

A do it yourself oil change typically cuts the price in half (at least), and it’s as easy as following a few simple steps as outlined below. To change the fluid yourself, it will cost around $40 to $90 for the filter, gasket and the most important component – the transmission oil. This estimate does not include the cost of the tools required to do the job.

Note: A transmission flush is a different process and typically costs around twice as much as a change.

How to Check

To check to see if your vehicle needs an oil change, simply:

Turn on your car and let it run a few moments (It is always best to check your oil when it has had time to warm up).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or rag; then put it back in and take it out again.
If the oil is clear but at the low mark, pour in enough fluid to bring it up to the appropriate level. Don’t overfill!
If the fluid is very dark or smells burnt, it need to be changed. Good clean oil should be bright red/pink in color.

Fluid – Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to tell you how many quarts, and the specific type you will need, or speak to a representative at the auto parts store.
Filter – Check to make sure you get the correct size and quality.
Torque Wrench – If you don’t have one, don’t fret. A normal socket wrench set will suit you just fine.
Large pan to catch the fluid – you don’t want to get it on the ground or in the dirt. Try to get one that is larger than the pan (casing) as it will leak out from all sides.

Instructions

Put Your Car on Ramps

Start by putting your car up on ramps, or jacking up the front part of your vehicle, while using jackstands. Don’t forget to block the wheels. Put old clothes on, this will get kind of messy. You may also want to put newspaper underneath where you will be working so no oil will get on your driveway. It is also very important to dispose of it properly once you are finished. Many auto parts stores either have a place where you can dump the oil, or can tell you how to dispose of it properly. It is not recommended that you empty it in your trash or in your yard.

Find the Transmission Pan
Locate the transmission pan with the help of your owners manual. Put the oil pan that you will use directly underneath. Remove the bolts slowly and keep your face out of the way. Once the seal is broke on the bolts, the fluid will start dripping out. Put the bolts to the side and let the oil drain completely into the drain pan. Wash the sediments and deposits out of the pan using fluid, not water. Inspect the debris that was in the pan. Doing so can help you determine whether the transmission is running properly or if there is a impending problem in the near future. This can be difficult for the untrained eye to do, so in the words of an ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician (CMAT): “You should see next to no filings or debris, and then only on the first change, subsequent changes should be nearly dead clean. If your car is relatively new and you find debris, there is a problem. You might find just a trace of aluminum shavings, or other very minor contaminants, but the assembly process is so clean, and the newer gearboxes so unforgiving of dirt, that any real accumulation generally means a problem is in development.”

Check the Gasket
Check to see if you need to replace the gasket. If it is well worn, go ahead and replace it. It will save you repair further down the road. Apply a thin layer of RTV sealant to the pan’s flange to ensure a nice tight, leak proof seal.

Remove the Filter
Once it has drained completely, remove the filter. Take caution, the filter has fluid in it as well. Replace it with your new filter, and tighten to the specifications in your owners manual. Then replace the bolts on the pan, tighten them for the first couple threads by hand before using a tool. Now you are ready to add the fresh oil. A funnel is recommended, hardly anyone can do this without spilling.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Once you have completed your oil change, start the car up and let it run a few minutes. Shift your gears a few times, then put in back in park. Now you can check the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it on a clean rag, reinsert it, and pull it out again. Hold it level and check to see where the oil is sitting on the stick. It should be sitting on the correct line, usually saying full. Once this is complete, you are ready to take it off the ramps, or let it down from the jack. Then give yourself a pat on the back. You just changed your own fluid and saved money!

How do I change my transmission fluid myself?

STEP 1: Park and elevate the vehicle. ... .

STEP 2: Locate the transmission fluid pan. ... .

STEP 3: Drain the old transmission fluid. ... .

STEP 4: Inspect the transmission fluid filter and change if necessary. ... .

STEP 5: Secure the transmission fluid pan. ... .

STEP 6: Refill the transmission fluid. ... .

STEP 7: Check for leaks..

Is it cheaper to change your own transmission fluid?

Factors that Affect the Cost A dealership is going to cost 2-3 times more, averaging around $220. Do it Yourself – The cheapest option. Changing the fluid yourself will cut the price approximately in half – down to $40 to $90 for the gasket, new filter and of course the transmission fluid.

Can you just change transmission fluid?

As we stated at the beginning of this article, simply change the fluid frequently or as your owner's manual recommends. This will ensure a healthy transmission for the life of your vehicle. Remember, dirty fluid is not an effective lubricant, so it won't disperse well.

Can you service your own transmission fluid?

To change transmission fluid you may need a couple of hours or more. But it's a maintenance job you can do at home for most vehicle models. This is an excellent project that helps you service the transmission according to your manufacturer's schedule at a fraction of the cost than you'd normally pay in a regular shop.