How to Replace the Automatic Transaxle Fluid

The transaxle sits between the two front wheels and serves as both a differential and transmission for front-wheel drive vehicles. Components inside the unit contain steel, brass and rubber. If the fluid is not kept clean and free of contaminants, these parts may be damaged or destroyed.



Read your vehicle's service manual. It will provide recommended change intervals. Follow these for longer and more dependable transmission performance.



There are a few vehicles which can only be serviced at a shop. These are generally luxury cars or high-end sports models. The instructions provided below will work for 90 percent of cars and trucks on the road today.



It's recommended to let the dealership or other shop perform this service if your vehicle is under factory warranty.

Preparation, Fluid Removal and Cleaning

• 1

  Drive the car onto ramps and place the vehicle in park. Apply the emergency brake and chock the rear wheels.

  If ramps are not available, jack the vehicle up enough to gain access to the bottom of the engine. Place in park. Apply the emergency brake and chock the rear wheels. Lower the vehicle onto jack stands and remove the jack.

  There is a pan on the bottom of the transaxle. Place a large drain container underneath the unit.

• 2

  Slowly loosen the bolts with your socket wrench in a crisscross pattern. Turn each bolt one or two turns and then proceed to the next. The seal will break and fluid will start to drip out. If the pan will not come loose once the bolts are half-way out, tap it gently with a rubber hammer, or a standard hammer cushioned with a block of wood.

  Continue; when the pan is almost free, support it with one hand while removing the remaining bolts. A short jack stand or other support will greatly help. It allows you to keep both hands free and avoid dropping it, which makes a huge mess!

• 3

  Allow fluid to drip out for several minutes. Gently remove any gasket material left on either the pan or the transmission housing. Use a scraper, but avoid gouging the surface or it may leak when re-assembled. A magnet will be attached to the pan on most models; remove, clean and replace it.

Reassembly, Filling and Testing

• 1

  Apply a few spots of gasket or silicone compound around pan surface. Use it sparingly, then place the gasket on it. Carefully raise the pan to the transaxle housing. Hold it in place while hand-tightening several screws (across from each other) a few turns. This keeps the gasket holes from moving. Hand-tighten all of the bolts and continue with the socket wrench. Maintain a crisscross pattern.

  A torque wrench is recommended to allow tightening to factory specs.

• 2

  Fill the transmission with the amount stated in the vehicle specs. If unsure, check the owner's manual, search online or call a quick lube business. A last resort is to pour the drained fluid into a container of known capacity and then replace with one quart less. This prevents overfill.

• 3

  Start the vehicle, let it run for 30 seconds and check the fluid again. It should show on the stick; add more immediately if it does not. Allow the car to run for several more minutes; glance underneath to check for leaks.

  If the pan leaks, turn off the engine and carefully re-check the torque around the seepage points. Inspect the gasket to see if it's buckled. Then check fluid again with the engine running. Drive the car for 10 miles and inspect the dipstick a final time. If it's at the right level you are done.