Gen3 : DIY - Auto Transmission fluid change

[4ePikanini]

NOTE : The level must be checked while car is parked on level surface. It must be idling and the box in neutral..

I see my manual says the car must be in park, while idling, in order to check the level. Or am I mistaken?

My service and owner's manual says otherwise.

[macjohnw]

Here is my owner's manual:

[4ePikanini]

That's bizarre. Either......

it's a printing mistake
or park and neutral is the same gearbox fluid wise
or they got a lawsuit from an certain country (known for suing) after the vehicle rolled off a cliff while in neutral.

I'll check the level in both positions next time and see if there's any difference.

[Transkeicowboy]

Hi 4ePikanini,

Will this process remove ALL old ATF from the gearbox? Including ATF that would have been stored in the torque converter?

Have been told I have to take it to be done at the stealers as there is some special process they have to do to empty the torque converter.

[4ePikanini]

I believe this cleans out the TC but not the cooler. My fluid was pretty bad and after this procedure it was very clear and red so majority of the fluid must get flushed with this DIY.

I'm not 100% sure though.

[4ePajero]

Doing it twice (with say a gap of 500km between) will most probably still be cheaper than the agents.

I have a problem with leaving "simple" tasks like this to workshops.
I always have this image of a junior person (appy or spanner-man) tasked with this.

[4ePikanini]

I always have this image of a junior person (appy or spanner-man) tasked with this.

Not always a bad thing. That description fits me rather well.

But yes, I agree. Most of the time there isn't a better job than the DIY job.

[Transkeicowboy]

Thanks for the responses guys. I agree this is something I would rather do myself so will give it a go over the next two weeks or so.

[4ePikanini]

Remember to be careful with the sump bolts if you are doing the filter as well. The aluminium is very very very very soft. The torque spec for those bolts are only 11nm

[tedsalad]

Excellent info, looking forward to getting this job done now I know how.

Donation left, many thanks

Ted