Proper Technique

[tris91ricer]

So, having never owned an automatic, ever, I think 'tis time I ask about the "birds and the bees" of the 4EAT.
What exactly is the "right" way to change the fluid in our transmissions? I guess since I had a thread explaining about oil change technique, maybe I could have one about trans-axle fluid change and flushing.

What's needed?

What type/amount of fluid is good/right for our 4EATs?

Anything I should be especially careful of?

[Subaru_Nation555]

Idealy you would take it to a shop and have them purge the system but that depends on how old the fluid is and all that stuff. When I changed the fluid you let the fluid cool down and removed the drain plug. Once all the fluid drains out you relace the plug and refill the fluid through the dipstick housing with a funnel. I believe its close to 7 quarts to fill it up. I used a synthetic fluid, many people say redline is a good choice. There is a filter but I believe it is used to catch big particles in the fluid and isnt a big deal to replace.

[Legacy777]

As it was mentioned before......unscrew drain plug....let fluid drain out....put drain plug back in....fill with new fluid through dipstick (AT dipstick is on the DRIVER'S side of the car).

You won't get 7 qt in there. Depending or not if the little anti-drain back valve is not working....you'll get out somewhere between 3-5 qts.

[THAWA]

also to check the level of the fluid the car needs to be running.

[tris91ricer]

right, i remember that.. I thought it'd be more complex than that.. really? that's it?
wow.. i feel dumb and enlightened at the same time.

thanks guys.