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How to change transmission fluid?
Change the Damn Transmission Fluid
Fits North American (US and Canada) transmissions. Not VIN-matched. The maker’s fluid, the same amount back in.
Maker's fluid only, fill plug loose first, measure what drains, refill the same, set the level the maker's way. North American cars.
Free on this page. Match the row, then stop. Illustrated steps, torque and the job card stay in the PDF.
What you see Due by the owner's manual schedule (or severe-service use: towing, short trips, heat)
Points to Normal fluid wear
What you see Dipstick fluid dark brown, smells a little burnt, shifts still fine
Points to Old fluid
What you see Slips, flares between gears, or won't move in Drive or Reverse
Points to Low fluid from a leak, or an internal fault
What you see Red or brown drips under the middle of the car
Points to Pan gasket, drain plug, cooler line or seal leak
What you see No dipstick ("sealed" transmission)
Points to Check-plug type: the level is set at a fluid temperature, with the engine running
What you see CVT (no gears, smooth "rubber-band" feel)
Points to CVTs use their own fluid
What you see Black fluid, burnt smell, metal glitter, high miles, never changed
Points to Worn clutches or a failing unit
General information for the vehicles this guide covers. You do the work at your own risk; follow the vehicle maker's service information and the emissions and roadworthiness rules where your vehicle is registered.
A 30–60 second clip from the Repair Guider channel. The illustrated steps stay in the PDF.
Four previews. Torque specs and the printable job card stay in the PDF.
Job card
Is this your problem? This guide is for you if you're asking:
Not quite your problem? Request a guide, and requested guides jump to the front of the line.
A mechanic's drain-and-fill guide: owner's-manual schedule first, maker-spec fluid only, fill plug loosened before draining, measured refill, dipstick and check-plug level checks at the maker's temperature, pan and filter where called for, and hard stops for burnt fluid and slipping.
Tools have exact part numbers; wear parts are matched by VIN or the old part. Borrow what you can.
General information for the vehicles this guide covers. You do the work at your own risk; follow the vehicle maker's service information and the emissions and roadworthiness rules where your vehicle is registered.
Chapters that say when to stop:
Illustrated steps, torque specs and the one-page job card are in the download.
No other published guide is a sibling of this symptom. See every symptom we cover, or request the one you have.
Drain and fill. GM and Honda bulletins say not to use flush machines; Honda's own 'flush' is three drain-and-fill cycles.
Only if the vehicle maker approves it. Hyundai, Honda and Nissan bulletins (each for specific models) name their own fluid and warn that others can harm shift quality or the transmission.
The drain-and-fill, yes, with the measured amount back in. The level is set at a fluid temperature with the engine running and the car level on a lift, so in this guide a shop does that last part.
No. A slipping transmission goes to a shop first.
General information for the vehicles this guide covers. You do the work at your own risk; follow the vehicle maker's service information and the emissions and roadworthiness rules where your vehicle is registered. Car guide terms · Edition 1.0 · 2026-10-07
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