P5 Auto Trans Fluid & Filter Change

[jb1knobe]

Just want to post my experience changing ATF & filter at 108,000 miles.

Pretty easy to service. The plastic cover underneath engine can be easily remove by removing 5 bolts. The drain plug is NOT left hand thread, it is right hand. I used a putty knife to completely break the silicone gasket between the block and pan, then popped off with the aid of screwdriver. Make sure you completely clean the gasket material from both surfaces. The putty knife and steel worked worked fine. Completely clean the bottom of the pan of all debris, and remove and wipe the pan magnet clean. I purchased Fram filter and gasket for 19.99 at Kragen and 4 quartz Valvoline ATF Mercon 5 for $18. Total cost $40. The user manual states 7.6 US quart capacity for fluid but I drained 3 qts and refilled with 4, which actually overfilled a bit.

The results are obviously subjective but I do believe the car does shift smoother (this auto 4 is not the greatest tranny). Prior to change the engine would wind up and it would kind of pop into next gear. Now I can predict and throttle though gear changes a little better.

 

[Tom03es]

Messy job, isn't it? I just replaced my filter/strainer at about 61,000 miles.

There is some debate about whether Mercon 5 is the correct fluid or not. My owner's manual states to use ATF M-V. M-V does not stand for Mercon V, but instead Multi-vehicle. Some Mercon 5 might satisfy the M-V rating, however.

I use Red Line D4 fluid. It's a multi-rating-satisfying fluid. It's expensive, but so is a transmission rebuild.

I have also completely bypassed the factory transmission cooler and instead use an auxilary cooler. Heat is the enemy of any automatic transmission.

 

[danny1rod]

I have had mercon V in my car with no problem runs like new.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

@ 85k right now. Fixin to do the fluid swap again + the strainer this time. Not really wantin to unseal the pan but gonna hope the gray rtv will seal it back nice & dry. I'm goin back in with AMSOIL atf like I did at 35k but will take the 2 1/2 gallons to the lube shop, watch them put it in their transfer machine & watch it go in-s***'s expensive. I would suggest doing this with whatever fluid as it will push 95% of the old out while pushing the new in vs. just what comes out draining the pan. That's not even half of it. The other way gets all thru the torque converter & coolers. I'm actually running thru oem cooler then to the hayden stacked plate ext one then back to the tranny. As was stated, heat is the enemy.