Servicing Your Transmission

Believe it or not, servicing your transmission is something that anyone can do. This is really nothing more than a fancy sounding name for something that is made up of several smaller parts, some of which you probably already know. There are a total of 7 steps to this process, all of which you can accomplish at home.

Materials:

• Transmission service kit
• 6 quarts of transmission fluid
• Funnel
• Complete socket set
• Funnel
• Oil pan/bucket
• Screwdriver
• Repair manual
• Rags

Steps:

1. Prepare. As with any repair job, you need to begin your project by preparing. This means you need to gather together your tools, and materials as well as ensuring that you have your location prepared. All of your materials and tools can be purchased at a local automotive supply store, if you do not already posses them.
2. Drain. Once you have all your materials together you are ready to begin. Using the proper repair manual, locate the transmission fluid pan on your vehicle. When you have found this, you should be able to easily find the fluid drain plug. Loosen this plug with either a removal tool, or a screwdriver and socket set. Before you have completely removed the drain plug place an oil pan underneath to catch the fluid.
3. Remove. After you have allowed all the transmission fluid to drain out of the pan, it is time to remove the transmission fluid pan, and the filter inside. In order to do this, simply first remove all the transmission pan mounting bolts, and place them in one location so that you don't lose any of them.
4. Inspect & Clean. After you have removed the pan, inspect the inside and clean it out. Part of this is to remove the old gasket and replace it with a new. There are times when you might need to utilize some gasket cement (which often comes with the servicing kit).
5. Change & Reinstall. Now, remove the transmission filter. Often these are held into place by clips or bolts. Replace this old filter with the new one that came with servicing kit. In order to do this, basically you are going to do the reverse of how you removed it. Once you have replaced the filter, go ahead and reinstall the transmission fluid pan.
6. Refill & Check. Once you have put everything back together, it is time for you to refill your transmission fluid. Make sure that you use your funnel to ensure that you don't loose or spill any. After you have put some in, turn your engine on for a while to allow the fluid to heat up. After you have heated up the fluid, turn off the engine and then check the fluid as you normally would. Also, as you are filling the fluid level go ahead and check to make sure that there are no leaks from the area where you were just working.
7. Clean up. Finally, all that you need to do is clean up your work. You have now completed the process of servicing your transmission.