Description: Automatic transmissions/transaxles use a filter on the inlet side of the transmission's
hydraulic pump. Different types of filtering media may be used including a fine mesh screen, paper, or
felt for filtering media.
Purpose: A transmission filter prevents harmful contaminants from entering the hydraulic system,
where they can increase wear and cause scoring and sticking of hydraulic control valves. Additionally, if
a major part fails inside the transmission, the filter may prevent pieces of that part from contributing to a
more catastrophic transmission failure. Normally transmission filters trap metal chips from hard parts
like gears and bushings and the normal fine material that results from wear of the hydraulic clutch
facings and bands.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Your car's automatic transmission filter and fluid should be changed
periodically according to the schedule in your owner's manual. Although some maintenance schedules
may claim that the transmission fluid or filter doesn't need to be changed for the life of the car,
remember that the average driving situation falls into the "severe" maintenance category due to short
trips and stop-and-go driving. Some shops offer transmission flushing and filling, which is intended to
remove more contaminants than simple draining of the transmission. If you decide to have this service
performed, make sure that the transmission pan will be removed in order to change the filter before
refilling it with new fluid. If the filter is not replaced, contaminants from the old fluid, along with those
dislodged during the flushing process, could impair flow through the filter and lead to transmission
problems.
hydraulic pump. Different types of filtering media may be used including a fine mesh screen, paper, or
felt for filtering media.
Purpose: A transmission filter prevents harmful contaminants from entering the hydraulic system,
where they can increase wear and cause scoring and sticking of hydraulic control valves. Additionally, if
a major part fails inside the transmission, the filter may prevent pieces of that part from contributing to a
more catastrophic transmission failure. Normally transmission filters trap metal chips from hard parts
like gears and bushings and the normal fine material that results from wear of the hydraulic clutch
facings and bands.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Your car's automatic transmission filter and fluid should be changed
periodically according to the schedule in your owner's manual. Although some maintenance schedules
may claim that the transmission fluid or filter doesn't need to be changed for the life of the car,
remember that the average driving situation falls into the "severe" maintenance category due to short
trips and stop-and-go driving. Some shops offer transmission flushing and filling, which is intended to
remove more contaminants than simple draining of the transmission. If you decide to have this service
performed, make sure that the transmission pan will be removed in order to change the filter before
refilling it with new fluid. If the filter is not replaced, contaminants from the old fluid, along with those
dislodged during the flushing process, could impair flow through the filter and lead to transmission
problems.
Description: Automatic transmission fluid is specially formulated oil ™ containing numerous additives to
withstand grueling operating conditions. There are several different types of automatic transmission
fluids and should be used according to the recommendation in your car's owner's manual. Some
examples include:
Purpose: Automatic transmission fluid serves a multitude of purposes. Among other things, it cleans,
cools, lubricates, transmits force, transmits pressure, inhibits varnish build-up and protects the
transmission on a day-to-day basis.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Owner's manual recommendations on transmission fluid changes vary
considerably and may go as high as 100,000 miles or more. For best results, have your car's
transmission fluid and filter changed every two years or 24,000 miles. Always use the type of fluid
specified by your car's manufacturer. This information can be found in the owner's manual or on the end
of the transmission dipstick. The overwhelming majority of transmission failures are heat-related, and
automatic transmission fluid breaks down rapidly when subjected to high temperatures. Driving
conditions such as trailer towing, quick stops and starts, ascending and descending mountains, and
wheel-spinning in slippery conditions are but a few scenarios that can devastate the life of the
transmission fluid. Although changing the fluid yourself is not difficult, it's probably best left to a qualified
service technician. This is also a good time to drain the transmission fluid from the torque converter, if
possible. Consult your technician to see if this can be done.
withstand grueling operating conditions. There are several different types of automatic transmission
fluids and should be used according to the recommendation in your car's owner's manual. Some
examples include:
- DEXRON® III/MERCON® - Recommended for all automatic transmissions requiring DEXRON®
III, DEXRON® IIE, DEXRON® II, DEXRON® or MERCON ® transmission fluids. It can also be
used where fluids meeting Ford ESP-M2C138CJ or Ford M2C166-H specifications are required. - ATF+3®�Formulated exclusively for Chrysler Corp. automatic transmissions/transaxles where a
Chrysler MS-7176, Mopar® or Mopar ATF+3® is specified. - Type F (FLM) is a specially compounded fluid meeting the latest Ford ESW-M2C33F and is
compatible with all M2C33 series Ford specifications. In all 1983 and later model Ford automatic
transmissions use DEXRON ® III/MERCON ® or MERCON ® V Automatic Transmission Fluids.
Purpose: Automatic transmission fluid serves a multitude of purposes. Among other things, it cleans,
cools, lubricates, transmits force, transmits pressure, inhibits varnish build-up and protects the
transmission on a day-to-day basis.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Owner's manual recommendations on transmission fluid changes vary
considerably and may go as high as 100,000 miles or more. For best results, have your car's
transmission fluid and filter changed every two years or 24,000 miles. Always use the type of fluid
specified by your car's manufacturer. This information can be found in the owner's manual or on the end
of the transmission dipstick. The overwhelming majority of transmission failures are heat-related, and
automatic transmission fluid breaks down rapidly when subjected to high temperatures. Driving
conditions such as trailer towing, quick stops and starts, ascending and descending mountains, and
wheel-spinning in slippery conditions are but a few scenarios that can devastate the life of the
transmission fluid. Although changing the fluid yourself is not difficult, it's probably best left to a qualified
service technician. This is also a good time to drain the transmission fluid from the torque converter, if
possible. Consult your technician to see if this can be done.
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