Tranny fluid change?

Feb 13, 2009
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I have never changed my tranny fluid in any of my previous cars. Is it hard to do? I know this is kinda a noob question:(. I just am a little nervous about attempting this myself. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks:nice:
 
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Just to tack onto his question - is there a specific brand/grade of tranny fluid that people in the know use? Is it a different case w/ a manual vs. automatic? Man...horrible noob questions, I apologize!

Thanks!
 
Another interested party

Wondering if we are talking about manual or auto, I was always under the impression that manual transmissions rarely required fluid change, I am probably not up on newer technology but I am still running my original fluid in my manual trans since 11/04. Any info would be appreciated.
 
Wondering if we are talking about manual or auto, I was always under the impression that manual transmissions rarely required fluid change, I am probably not up on newer technology but I am still running my original fluid in my manual trans since 11/04. Any info would be appreciated.

You actually have that a little backwards. Automatic transmissions nowadays almost never need their fluids changed.
 
the TR3650 5 speed manual takes ATF, just like an automatic.

To change;

pull the shift boot and knob off, since it's much easier to fill from above. Under the car on the bottom of the trans you'll see a plug with a square hole in it. This is the one you use to drain. I use a ratchet and unscrew it. When it's empty replace the plug.

Along the drivers side on the trans you'll see another plug, just like the drain plug. But this is a fill plug. Undo it and remove. It takes a little over 3 quarts of Mercon III (or Mercon V since the III is out of date) to fill the trans. I sit in the drivers seat and fill. With a funnel and a piece of hose inside the fill tube put in about 2.5 quarts.

I use a zip tie bent at a right angle to check the level. I bent it about 5/8" inch long so I could fill the trans to within 1/2" of the fill tube. Add fluid slowly until you get 1/8" on the dipstick you made from the zip tie.

As for which brand of ATF, I won't go into. There's a hundred people with 100opinions. I drag race, autocross and track day my car. So I change it often, once a year at least.
 
You actually have that a little backwards. Automatic transmissions nowadays almost never need their fluids changed.

I'm a firm believer in regular filter and fluid changes in anything automatic from experience with our fleet of Ford trucks. I know that manufacturers switching to synthetic fluids has helped a lot, but that doesn't mean you should stop doing regular maintenance.

Ken04 is right on the mark, but I think the fill plug is on the passenger's side.
 
I'm a firm believer in regular filter and fluid changes in anything automatic from experience with our fleet of Ford trucks. I know that manufacturers switching to synthetic fluids has helped a lot, but that doesn't mean you should stop doing regular maintenance.

Ken04 is right on the mark, but I think the fill plug is on the passenger's side.

That's why I said ALMOST never.