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Automatic Transmission Fluid Change/Check Question
Moderate User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,003
Likes: 21
From: Albany, NY
That write up is so very oldschool. I drop the return line and start the truck till the fluid coming out spits and sputters. At that point the pan is empty and makes it very easy and clean removal. Replace the filter as necesary and bolt the pan back on. Pour 6 or 7qqts of fluid in to fill pan up and start truck again. Do this one more time and make sure the fluid coming out the retun line is pink. This means the new fluid has pushed all the old fluid out. Re-install the retun line to the transmission and fill up the trans with 5qts and top off as needed when fully warm.
I can do a trans flush in less than 1hr and make practically no mess. I also use cardboard, not a blanket. Cardboard soaks all the fluid up and can easily be thrown away.
Checking the fluid level should be done on a flat ground at full operating temperature, not 70* which would be ambient air temp if it's 70* outside.... Fluid should be well above 100*F when checked. I think operating temp is like 140*-160*????
Just some experienced info for all that are interested.
I can do a trans flush in less than 1hr and make practically no mess. I also use cardboard, not a blanket. Cardboard soaks all the fluid up and can easily be thrown away.
Checking the fluid level should be done on a flat ground at full operating temperature, not 70* which would be ambient air temp if it's 70* outside.... Fluid should be well above 100*F when checked. I think operating temp is like 140*-160*????
Just some experienced info for all that are interested.
Champion
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,497
Likes: 1
From: MN
That write up is so very oldschool. I drop the return line and start the truck till the fluid coming out spits and sputters. At that point the pan is empty and makes it very easy and clean removal. Replace the filter as necesary and bolt the pan back on. Pour 6 or 7qqts of fluid in to fill pan up and start truck again. Do this one more time and make sure the fluid coming out the retun line is pink. This means the new fluid has pushed all the old fluid out. Re-install the retun line to the transmission and fill up the trans with 5qts and top off as needed when fully warm.
I can do a trans flush in less than 1hr and make practically no mess. I also use cardboard, not a blanket. Cardboard soaks all the fluid up and can easily be thrown away.
Checking the fluid level should be done on a flat ground at full operating temperature, not 70* which would be ambient air temp if it's 70* outside.... Fluid should be well above 100*F when checked. I think operating temp is like 140*-160*????
Just some experienced info for all that are interested.
I can do a trans flush in less than 1hr and make practically no mess. I also use cardboard, not a blanket. Cardboard soaks all the fluid up and can easily be thrown away.
Checking the fluid level should be done on a flat ground at full operating temperature, not 70* which would be ambient air temp if it's 70* outside.... Fluid should be well above 100*F when checked. I think operating temp is like 140*-160*????
Just some experienced info for all that are interested.
Moderate User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,003
Likes: 21
From: Albany, NY
1qt left out of the 17qts that it takes is still pretty darn good to me for the average joe to get it done. I generally do cycle through the gears with the e-brake on so I can be outside and see under the truck. That only needs to be done on the last round of flush or else you'll cycle in more dirty fluid if no new fluid is in the trans yet.
Professional
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Team:
I changed my ATF yesterday which wasn't to bad of a task as there was a good write-up on this in the forum. However, I do have a question about checking the ATF and making sure it is at the correct level:
The owners manual (I have a 2010 Ram 1500 CC SLT Big Horn Hemi) says to check the ATF with the engine warm after driving at least 15 miles, cycle through the gears, ending in Park and check the ATF and the fluid should be betweem the marks for hot (180 degrees). So, I drive my truck and the hottest I can get the tranmis sion temp is 137 degrees (according to my vehicle information center). So the fluid is a little more than halfway between the cold and hot marks on the dipstick. Is this correct?
The manual does not recommend checking the ATF level when it is cold and they recommend it be checked at 70 degrees. I am at the lower mark between add and cold when the vehicle information center says transmission temp is at 70 degress. I just do not want to overfill and possibly damage my tranny.
Your help is appreciated.
1 (905) 297-4280
Thanks,
Dave
I changed my ATF yesterday which wasn't to bad of a task as there was a good write-up on this in the forum. However, I do have a question about checking the ATF and making sure it is at the correct level:
The owners manual (I have a 2010 Ram 1500 CC SLT Big Horn Hemi) says to check the ATF with the engine warm after driving at least 15 miles, cycle through the gears, ending in Park and check the ATF and the fluid should be betweem the marks for hot (180 degrees). So, I drive my truck and the hottest I can get the tranmis sion temp is 137 degrees (according to my vehicle information center). So the fluid is a little more than halfway between the cold and hot marks on the dipstick. Is this correct?
The manual does not recommend checking the ATF level when it is cold and they recommend it be checked at 70 degrees. I am at the lower mark between add and cold when the vehicle information center says transmission temp is at 70 degress. I just do not want to overfill and possibly damage my tranny.
Your help is appreciated.
1 (905) 297-4280
Thanks,
Dave
Alternately you can use the "quick and dirty" C to F method:
Double C and add 30.
Exact is C x 5/9 plus 32.
Easy method gives 70c = 170f
Exact is 70c = 158 (seems a little low but might be OK; 75-80C would be closer (167-176F).
More likely though is the factory considers room temp (70F) to be the recommended "cold" temp.
Last edited by Johnny2Bad; Sep 8, 2012 at 10:38 AM.
