How to change transmission fluid and filter

Q: Can you change your own transmission fluid and filter?

Transmission filter replacement is not something that youll want to try on your own. This is because you will need to remove the transmission pan and drain the fluid before you can replace the transmission filter. While not the most difficult task, it can get very messy.

Power Purge® and Maintenance Services

AAMCO's exclusive Power Purge® and Power Purge® Plus Transmission Flush (Fluid Exchange) services are the most comprehensive transmission maintenance services available anywhere. It's the service that is designed to replace virtually all of the old, degraded transmission fluid with fresh fluid to help prolong the life of your transmission. Much more than just a simple fluid drain from the transmission pan, our expert Technicians check and then exchange virtually all of the old fluid from your Transmission system using our state of the art and patented Power Purge® equipment.

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Power Purge® and Maintenance Services
AAMCO's Power Purge® Service Includes:
Upgrade to AAMCO's Power Purge® PLUS service that also includes:
AAMCO's basic Transmission Fluid Change & Maintenance Service
AAMCO's Safeguard® Service includes:
Transmission filter changing
Can you change your own transmission fluid and filter?
Do you need to change filter when changing transmission fluid?
Is it better to flush a transmission or change filter?
How much does it cost to change automatic transmission fluid and filter?

AAMCO's Power Purge® Service Includes:

A complete Transmission Vehicle Courtesy Check for your transmission and related systems.
Exchange of virtually all of the old transmission fluid - including the torque converter and cooler.
Other basic transmission fluid changes can leave about 30% of old fluid in the torque converter and cooler.
AAMCO's Power Purge® fluid exchange services removes dirty, gritty and abrasive fluid that can harm your transmission
A complete refill with fresh, clean transmission fluid
A thorough test drive and check for leaks

Upgrade to AAMCO's Power Purge® PLUS service that also includes:

Removal of the transmission pan for a complete visual inspection for contaminants and abrasives.
Replacement of the transmission filter or cleaning of the transmission screen if equipped
Transmission filters prolong the life of the fluid and transmission by trapping potentially harmful particles and abrasives.
Replacement of the pan gasket or pan sealing material if equipped or applicable.

If your transmission fluid is dirty or deteriorating, you might be on the way to a transmission problem An AAMCO Power Purge® Plus Transmission Flush (Fluid Exchange) & Filter Change is the best service designed to help identify potential problems and prevent those transmission problems before they happen.

*Not available for vehicles with internal transmission problems. A Transmission filter and pan gasket or pan sealing material is only included in the Power Purge® Plus service if equipped. The cost of the filter and gasket is extra and is based on the vehicle manufacturer and transmission type.

AAMCO's basic Transmission Fluid Change & Maintenance Service

AAMCO also offers a low-cost Safeguard transmission fluid change as well. Let AAMCO's transmission experts help keep your transmission properly maintained to factory recommendations to help prolong its life. Like all AAMCO Transmission Maintenance Services, our Safeguard® service begins with a complete Transmission Vehicle Courtesy Check to spot any potential problems.

AAMCO's Safeguard® Service includes:

Removal of the transmission pan, dispose of the old fluid from the pan and inspect for contaminants.
Replacement of the transmission filter or cleaning the transmission screen and pan gasket or pan sealing material if equipped or applicable.
Perform a test drive and leak check

Transmission filter changing

Customers often ask if they should change the filter as well as the fluid.

In the past, automatic transmission fluid was changed by removing the pan, changing the filter and gasket and refilling with 1/3 the capacity of the transmission. This was the only method known to change the fluid so it was the acceptable method.

When transmission flushing equipment was introduced to the market, people started to ask, “what about the filter?” “we used to change it, why don’t we have to change it now?” The answer to this is, it was changed before because we already had the pan off so “we might as well” plus the filter company’s packaged the gaskets with filters and encouraged this practice.

An automatic transmission is a closed hydraulic devise with no foreign matter being introduced. Therefor, if the filter on a transmission should ever become plugged, it is plugged with transmission parts! This means the transmission is past the point of needing a fluid change. An engine on the other hand is constantly exposed to foreign matter (air and fuel) which brings in contaminants as well as the combustion that creates many other byproducts. The engine oil filter is designed to filter these products out.

Many transmission manufacturers use only a screen on the fluid pickup to filter out any casting flaws or debris that could be poured down the dipstick. Some manufacturers do not recommend changing the filter.

The fluid will break down and needs to be changed, the filters do not plug up on a healthy transmission.

Can you change your own transmission fluid and filter?

Transmission filter replacement is not something that you'll want to try on your own. This is because you will need to remove the transmission pan and drain the fluid before you can replace the transmission filter. While not the most difficult task, it can get very messy.

Do you need to change filter when changing transmission fluid?

For optimum protection, change the Transmission Fluid and filter every 30,000 miles (unless you have a new vehicle that is filled with Dexron III ATF, which is supposed to be good for 100,000 miles).

Is it better to flush a transmission or change filter?

Flushing your transmission fluid is a better, more thorough alternative to a basic change, which, of course, means it will also cost you more. However, just because it is the better option, doesn't mean it is what you need to do every time.

How much does it cost to change automatic transmission fluid and filter?

Automatic Transmission: Typically an automatic transmission fluid change cost is higher than a manual transmission. This is because the job may also require that your oil filter and pan gasket be replaced as well. The total cost for this service you can estimate to be anywhere from $300-$500.