Fluid changing

[Payback45]

I was wondering how easy or hard it is to change all the nesseary fluids like tranny, coolant, and any other I cant think of right now. Engine oil isnt an issue but its the others that dont get changed very often that I am curious about. this would be done on a 02 legacy BTW

[warrior]

If it's a 5 speed, it's fairly simple. Tranny is just like oil but you should use some sort of synthetic fluid like Redline!

Rear diff is simple as well, same as engine oil.. just a little hard to get the oil inside the fill hole. I used a mustard squirt bottle.

The only fluid that is probably difficult or requires more attention would be the coolant as you'll have to bleed the system for air.. no idea how to do that, someone can tell you.

Power steering fluid usually requires a vacuum to suck out all the old fluid and put new fluid in.. or you could use some sort of suction device like those plastic needles that come in hair dye packages.

[Payback45]

It is a automatic. So is it all still easy?

[jeremod]

Automatics are easy just a pain in the butt.

Get a 5 gallon bucket at the hardware store and pour 1 quart of water in the bottom and mark it with a pencil or marker then keep adding water until you have about 10 quarts marked out. (Add a quart, mark it, repeat)

Put the car on ramps or stands and put a 5 gallon bucket under the transmission pan. Pull the drain plug and let the fluid drain. Once it's done look to see how many quarts you drained out and pour that many in the trans dip stick tube. Drive the car for a while (20 miles or so should do it) then do it again.

You need to repeat this about 3 times because you'll only get 3-4 quarts to drain out and there is about 10 quarts in the trans. On the final flush add a bottle of LubeGuard ATF and the top off the fluid.

[Payback45]

So your saying i have to change it 3 times and drive 60 miles to get it all out. How do they do it and a auto shop then? That also sounds very expensive

[ivwarrior]

Shops do it one of 2 ways.

1) Drain, fill, send you on your way. As stated, gets about 4 quarts.

2) Hook it up to a flush machine and pump about 10 or so quarts through. Probably gets 90%. Costs more than a drain and fill, generally.

[Huffer]

Never use a transmission flush machine.
They don't get cleaned very often and you CAN end up with contaminants from another vehicle in your transmission.

Best solution is to do it by hand, and you don't need to do it 3 times. Twice is usually enough, you want to make sure you have fresh fluid, but the important thing is to help lower the overall temp of the AT.
Lubegard ATF Protectant does a fantastic job at this.

[Payback45]

So the AT fluid doesn't sound to bad. A bit more work then I thought but probable cheaper then taking it to a auto shop. So what else is easy?

[Bdubs]

Front Differential gear oil is pretty easy. Dipstick is on the left side of the tranny opposed to the AT fluid dipstick. Its hard to describe where the drain plug is for it though, its kind of hidden.

[Payback45]

Is that for a 02?

[Payback45]

I know I have asked this already but I want to change the fluids in my car my self. I have access to a lift and want to know what fluids I can change with out any major problems. Also what fluids need to be changed around 63,600 miles? I bought the car at 48,706 and the only fluid I have changed is the oil every 3,000. Also if any of you have pics of the undercharge with pics of the drain plugs and their locations and pics under the hood of where to put the new fluids that would be awesome. Thanks a lot
I guess I should mention what year and all that. 2002 legacy GT