How to Change Manual Transmission Fluid, aka MTF
Overview:
I searched for this but couldn’t find it. If I missed it I apologize for redundancy.
I believe you could accomplish this change without lifting the vehicle. However, my vehicle was already up with 4 jack stands. I mention 4 jack stands because it is important that the vehicle be level.
Parts & tools:
Since my vehicle was up on jack stands with the wheels removed, I simply did the change from the left front wheel well. See first image. The bolt in the upper right-hand-corner which is just partially obscured by shadow is the fill bolt. From memory it is a 17mm. The lower, circular, (YES, CIRCULAR), fastener is the drain bolt.
The service manual calls to change out the crush washers. The fill washer is not the same as the drain washer. See image 2. The drain washer is the same as the crankcase crush washer.
17mm socket or wrench. I used a socket.
3/8” ratchet and/or extension.
Oil catch container.
2 qts MTF.
Fill bolt crush washer
Drain bolt crush washer
You’ll need something to get the oil back into the M/T. See this link.
Shop towels.
15 minutes.
Procedure:
Remove the fill bolt first. In the unlikely event you can’t get it off then you can stop right there before you’ve drained your M/T of fluid. I used a long extension. See image 3.
Position catch container underneath drain bolt. You can also get a deflector in place so that once you remove the bolt the oil doesn’t wind up all over the cross-member, but this is not necessary.
Insert a 3/8 drive ratchet or ratchet extension into the square opening in the circular drain fastener. See image 4. Remove fastener. Allow oil to drain. Replace crush washer and re-fasten drain bolt to 33 ft-lbs.
Fill M/T with MTF. The observant amongst you will have already noted that the fill hole is on a horizontal plane. So, you’re not going to just pour the MTF out of the bottle into the M/T. Use a funnel & hose, pump, or suction gun to replace MTF.
Replace crush washer before re-inserting fill plug to 33 ft-lbs.
You're finished, but keep an eye on those fasteners after the next few trips to make sure they are not leaking.
Photos:
Overview:
I searched for this but couldn’t find it. If I missed it I apologize for redundancy.
I believe you could accomplish this change without lifting the vehicle. However, my vehicle was already up with 4 jack stands. I mention 4 jack stands because it is important that the vehicle be level.
Parts & tools:
Since my vehicle was up on jack stands with the wheels removed, I simply did the change from the left front wheel well. See first image. The bolt in the upper right-hand-corner which is just partially obscured by shadow is the fill bolt. From memory it is a 17mm. The lower, circular, (YES, CIRCULAR), fastener is the drain bolt.
The service manual calls to change out the crush washers. The fill washer is not the same as the drain washer. See image 2. The drain washer is the same as the crankcase crush washer.
17mm socket or wrench. I used a socket.
3/8” ratchet and/or extension.
Oil catch container.
2 qts MTF.
Fill bolt crush washer
Drain bolt crush washer
You’ll need something to get the oil back into the M/T. See this link.
Shop towels.
15 minutes.
Procedure:
Remove the fill bolt first. In the unlikely event you can’t get it off then you can stop right there before you’ve drained your M/T of fluid. I used a long extension. See image 3.
Position catch container underneath drain bolt. You can also get a deflector in place so that once you remove the bolt the oil doesn’t wind up all over the cross-member, but this is not necessary.
Insert a 3/8 drive ratchet or ratchet extension into the square opening in the circular drain fastener. See image 4. Remove fastener. Allow oil to drain. Replace crush washer and re-fasten drain bolt to 33 ft-lbs.
Fill M/T with MTF. The observant amongst you will have already noted that the fill hole is on a horizontal plane. So, you’re not going to just pour the MTF out of the bottle into the M/T. Use a funnel & hose, pump, or suction gun to replace MTF.
Replace crush washer before re-inserting fill plug to 33 ft-lbs.
You're finished, but keep an eye on those fasteners after the next few trips to make sure they are not leaking.
Photos:
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