Changing Transmission Fluid?

Question

I have a 2002 Monte Carlo. How do I go about changing the transmission fluid? Should I do it or have a professional?

Answer 1

For automatic, It is a very easy repair and will help you understand you car better. Raise the car and use jack stands and block the rear wheels and apply the e-brake. With a 10mm or a 1/2 inch socket remove the drain pan bolts starting at the lowest side be sure to place a big drain pan under the transmission pan before you start to catch the old oil. after you remove all the bolts but one loosen the last bolt slow and let the fluid run out from the loose side to the pan and after it stops running remove the last bolt and don't drop the pan it will have at least 1/2 qt of fluid in it. Remove the transmission filter by removing three screws or it may just pull out of its holding hole. after you remove the filter install it in reverse . when you put the pan back with a new gasket. Tighten the gasket slow until all are snug then tighten side to side until you see the gasket squeeze then that's it add new fluid , start and look for leaks, you may need to re tighten the bolts a little but be careful not to tight it will brake the gasket. If its a stick shift it would be by removing the bottom drain bolt and drain the oil then refilling it on the side and you will need a filler tube. Good Luck and GOD Bless

Answer 2

First off, is it a manual or an automatic transmission? a manual transmission is a simple drain and fill for most applications, but an automatic to get a good flush needs to be done by a professional. I would suggest a trusted mechanics shop. Most automatics have a changeable internal filter that may or may not be changed with the transmission fluid. Check your owners manual or contact your local dealrship on the possibilities. So in answer to your question, you can probably change it yourself if it is a manual, but if it is automatic or needs an internal filter change, take it to an ASE certified professional. And be responsible with any fluids, have them recycled.

Answer 3

you can do it youself, but there will still be old fluid and debris left so you can buy extra to just change twice. Drive a few miles on the first change and go through all the gears and then change again if you are worried that it is still dirty. You just need to find the drain plug on the transmission and use a breaking wrench to loosen that plug. If you can find a oil drain plug you can find the one on the transmission, just look for it on one of the lower points on the housing. It will save you a lot of money to do it yourself. Shops charge way too much to flush it.

Answer 4

The right way to do it is to take it to a shop to have the transmission flushed on a pressurized machine. The wrong way to do it is to just pull the transmission pan and let it drain, then top off. The former method removes all the old fluid but has to be done at a shop. The latter method can be done at home but only gets out about half the old fluid.

Answer 5

Why are you so pressed to do this yourself? Costs very little to have your transmission fluid changed by a Meineke or Pepboys (and you can even buy the fluid of your choice for them to put in there). Also, in GM vehicles there is no need to have the transmission fluid changed unless you get a prompt on the dash or feel grimey shifting.

Answer 6

Fluid and filter changes are not required for average passenger car use. Severe usage such as commercial type usage or prolonged operation in city traffic, requires that fluid be changed every 15,000 miles.

1.Raise vehicle and place a suitable drain pan under transaxle oil pan.
2.Loosen transaxle oil pan attaching bolts and allow fluid to drain, then remove oil pan.
3.Replace oil filter and adjust bands if necessary, then install oil pan and gasket.
4.Add four quarts of approved automatic transaxle fluid through the filler tube.
5.Start engine and allow to idle for at least two minutes, then with parking brake applied move selector lever momentarily to each position. Place selector lever in N or P and check fluid level. Add fluid to bring level to Add mark.
6.Recheck fluid level after transaxle has reached operating temperature. The level should be between Add and Full marks.

You can also have a professional do it, but you will be paying for parts and labor also the hourly working time that will be set by the mechanic himself.

Answer 7

Have it done. Take it to a place that uses the power flush. That way you get the fluid out of the torque converter also. You can watch them and you will see clean fluid coming out when it has been completely changed.

Answer 8

While you can do it yourself it is a very messy job. It will cost about $100 to get the fluid COMPLETELY replaced with the current inline systems in use at dealers and oil change shops. If you do it yourself you cannot drain it completely as fluid is left in the convertor.

I am a big DIY yet I leave this job to the dealer and get mine completely changed.

Answer 9

you should really check your maintenance schedule in your owners manual first before you so this. most cars now don't
need this done. be careful or you might make your car have trans problems.