automatic transmission service

[wuwei37405]

In response to charlieb’s questions:

The drain pan that I bought was adequate to catch the drain plug and the transmission fluid that initially came out, about 2 quarts. Unfortunately, the drain plug is not at the absolute bottom of the transmission pan. I assume that this is for safety. If it were at the absolute bottom, it would be susceptible to random damage from road hazards. My mistake, one that you can avoid, is to buy a drain pan that is large enough to accommodate the transmission pan and the filter, both of which will have residual fluid in them.

Sorry I didn’t take any pictures. However, except for the mess in my driveway, the job is relatively easy. The drain plug is 9/16, the pan has eighteen 10 mm bolts and a gasket, and the filter is held in place by three 10 mm bolts. I got the gasket and filter from rockauto for about $75. I used a generic transmission fluid from Wal-Mart that cost about $4 a quart. The label states that it is an acceptable replacement for T-IV transmission fluid. You can buy an adequate drain pan (larger than the one I purchased) from Wal-Mart for about $8. Good luck.