- How to Drain/Fill Manual Transmission
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourselfers.
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How do I add and check trans. fluid level????????/
4L60-E AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID CHECKING PROCEDURE
Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid normal operating temperature has been reached.
Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK range.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist. The vehicle must be level, with the engine running and the shift lever in the PARK range. CAUTION: The engine must be running when the transmission fluid fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Transmission fluid may be hot. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.
Remove the transmission plug. IMPORTANT: The transmission fluid may darken with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation.
Check the fluid level. The fluid level should be even with the bottom of the threaded plug hole.
Add DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid in increments of 0.5 L until the fluid drains from the plug hole.

* jack/raise car and ensure it is level. Remove drain plug .... WARNING .... hot transmission fluid will be expelled if tranny is hot.
* Remove transmissiion pan bolts, then loosely reinstall drain plug.
* Lightly tap pan or pry gently to remove pan
* Remove pan and drain remaining fluid from the pan - clean pan
* Remove all traces of gasket material from pan and gasket surface on transmission
* Inspect oil pan bolts, if conical washers are "reversed" (the outer edge of the washer is closer to bolt head than center of washer) then discard bolt/washers and replace
* install new oil pan gasket
* install oil pan - tighten bolts to 97 lb/inch
* remove drain/fill bolt and start adding DEXRON3 ATF
* when fluid level reaches bottom of drain plug - start engine and leave transmission in PARK
* Continue to add fluid until fluid is again draining from the drain/fill hole - WARNING - you will be working near the exhaust and that will get HOT ... also tranny fluid will get HOT quickly ... BEWARE OF BURNING YOURSELF
* Install drain/fill plug and tighten to 22 lb/ft
* Turn off engine and lower vehicle
* Inspect for leaks
As you can see this procedure is best done with the car up on a lift, it is not easy to do with the car only up on jack stands.
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The drain/fill plug lower on the tranny ( in the side of the pan) is where yo .... duh .... drain and fill it from.
* jack/raise car and ensure it is level. Remove drain plug .... WARNING .... hot transmission fluid will be expelled if tranny is hot.
* Remove transmissiion pan bolts, then loosely reinstall drain plug.
* Lightly tap pan or pry gently to remove pan
* Remove pan and drain remaining fluid from the pan - clean pan
* Remove all traces of gasket material from pan and gasket surface on transmission
* Inspect oil pan bolts, if conical washers are "reversed" (the outer edge of the washer is closer to bolt head than center of washer) then discard bolt/washers and replace
* install new oil pan gasket
* install oil pan - tighten bolts to 97 lb/inch
* remove drain/fill bolt and start adding DEXRON3 ATF
* when fluid level reaches bottom of drain plug - start engine and leave transmission in PARK
* Continue to add fluid until fluid is again draining from the drain/fill hole - WARNING - you will be working near the exhaust and that will get HOT ... also tranny fluid will get HOT quickly ... BEWARE OF BURNING YOURSELF
* Install drain/fill plug and tighten to 22 lb/ft
* Turn off engine and lower vehicle
* Inspect for leaks
As you can see this procedure is best done with the car up on a lift, it is not easy to do with the car only up on jack stands.


















