Trans Pan with a drain plug

[Blueox]

Been thinking about getting a new transmission pan with a drain plug. Then ever other oil change, draining what I can and replacing. Only difference between that and a real service is changing the filter.

Any thoughts or anyone done this?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Not necessary. A waste of fluid.



GB

 

[Bgunner]

Agreed that it is not necessary and a waste. The reason being is that Auto transmissions need servicing usually every 60,000 to 100,000 miles and swapping out just a small portion of the fluid every 6,000 mils or so is just a waste.

A proper servicing includes the filter and a full fluid change. This last part is important because when you drop your pan you are only changing out about one quarter of the fluid that is actually in the trans mission. They make machines that connect between the trany line and the radiator to swap all the fluid including in the converter. Changing fluid just in the pan does little (not nothing but little) to keep the fluid in the trans fresh between servicing's.

 

[fastpakr]

I agree that doing this so often is a waste. That said, if you wanted to do it at a more reasonable interval (yearly or every other year, for example) that's not a bad plan. I'd still swap the filter at a planned interval as well, perhaps every three or five years.

 

[Dirtman]

I installed a drain on my pan years ago. I do a drain and fill (only about 3 quarts get changed this way out of the total 10 quart capacity) every 10-15k and change the filter every 30k (which changes about 4 quarts out of 10)

This method obviously doesn't change all the fluid but it keeps enough fresh fluid going in to maintain it. And its inexpensive.

Some will argue thats overkill but 3 quarts of fluid is about 15 bucks and a transmission is a couple grand. Also depends how your truck is used. Lots of highway miles are about one tenth the strain as lots of city miles. Offroad and towing is obviously even worse. 2 people with the same truck and person A. might need fluid changed every 6 months and person B. could go a few years. Check your fluid often for any signs of discoloring or burnt smells.

Now I should note if Im working with a vehicle with unknown service record or im servicing it for the first time and there is over 60k on the fluid I change all the fluid ( on the ranger that means 10 quarts ). And then begin the partial drain and fill routine.

To me, letting trans fluid go 100k plus without any service is just insane if you plan to keep your vehicle.