Automatic Transmission Fluid Filter Change Saturn

[jamescrowton007]

I have a 2003 Saturn vue v6 engine, and I do allot of the work myself.. I change my own oil and use Mobil1 5w30 high mileage since the vehicle has 183,000 mile on it.. How do you change the transmission fluid in the vehicle? My chilton manual says I dont need to change it, but there is a delay by a second or two when I shift gears, and with the high mileage I know it needs to change.

[richpin06a]

@jamescrowton007 From what i can tell it looks like one of those transaxles like the Audi were there is no dipstick and only a fill and drain plug on the transaxle.

[jamescrowton007]

@richpin06a I will look for a fill cap which I haven't seen one on the vehicle. Or it could be buried somewhere. I also read that I should use a scan tool to make sure the right amount of fluid is replaced with the same amount and at the right temperature. I honestly would like to do it myself, but am very Leary of doing it myself since I'm afraid of not using the right transmission fluid and not the right amount. I have a 2003 Saturn Vue V6 engine, FWD.

[Jetubeb]

How often you have to change the Transmission Fluid & filter. I have a 2002 e46.

[richpin06a]

@Jetubeb 30,000 miles on the Saturn s-series.

[NORTY50]

I would have pre filled the filter, so as to get a more accurate amount that came out of the car. "Filled going in/filled coming out"

[frankie2234]

i hate to say anything, but that looks like a motor oil filter not a trans filter?

[Koolbreaze7]

Great vid. I've been a fan since last year when you saved me $1200 by changing my own waterpump and radiator. I cannot find Dexron III. Is Dex/Merc or DexronVI a good ATF substitute for 2002 Saturn SL2?

[richpin06a]

@Koolbreaze7 I believe the dex/merc is a good replacement.

[swiften]

what about the internal filter? have you ever changed that one?

[GTVAlfaMan]

So the magnet should be placed inline instead of the outside of the filter unit?

[richpin06a]

@GTVAlfaMan The magnet goes in the hollow area inside the end of the filter.

[pontiachotshot]

thanks ! im going to do this to my 97.

[eloctocs13]

@richpin06a. That's smart. I'm glad I asked. Thank you for the videos been very helpfull.

For got to ask but do I have a trans. filter on my 00' Corolla and if not do I need to drop the pan even just to clean it?

[richpin06a]

@eloctocs13 Yes you do and you have to drop the pan to change it.

[eloctocs13]

Rich I have a 2000 Corolla with a 3 speed auto and want to change my fluid at home.

I watched a YouTube video once that looked like it would work to get all the old fluid out.

The guy removed the trans. line at the cooler

and with the car running drained the old fluid

while adding new at the same time.

Would this work?

Love your videos keep em coming.

[richpin06a]

@eloctocs13 basically that is what i do to get all the old fluid out except i take out a qt shut the engine off replace the qt and start over after about 4 qts i got it.

[munoz4415]

Hey rich, have u considered swapping in a twin cam?

[insider32]

Be sure to check the "nipple" that the filter screws on to for the magnet.

The first time I changed my transmission fluid on my Saturn, the magnet didn't come off with the filter so I figured there wasn't one.

The second time I noticed there was something black and dirty still on the transmission. It was the magnet. It had somehow stuck to the transmission instead of the filter.

[richpin06a]

@insider32 Thank you for letting everyone know to look out for it.

[munoz4415]

@DALE97DSM

This is a saturn, not your mitsubishi. It IS the transmission filter. Saturns do not have it the in the pan. Do some research.

[beefystik]

I'd be worried that the magnet was gone. I didn't realize it was installed on the filter in these cars, but to cover my butt, I would make sure one went back in.. Thoughts?

[RX7GSLSEowner]

So Rich, what did you do with the old trans fluid?  Will the parts store where you purchased your new fluid take you old fluid? Thanks!

[situationmoney]

I'm not familiar with this model of Saturn, but don't you also have to drain the torque converter to get all of the old transmission fluid out of the transmission? Not sure if you would have to do that on this model of Saturn...

[DALE97DSM]

THAT S an oil filter not Transmission filter. Transmiisson fiter should be located in the transmission pan. Have never seen a Auto filter the looks like an Oil filter.

[279spirit]

it has been 183,506 miles scince i changed my fluid

[smuckers77]

is it true if you haven't had your trans fluid changed for awhile, you should just leave it alone because it could harm the tranny?

[richpin06a]

@smuckers77 No..the longer you leave dirty fluid in there the more harm you can do.

[hp11208]

cool,i use super tech product too

[andersonvillas1277]

easy job! LOL!

[cloud1833]

Richpin06avI don't know what I would do without your videos for the Saturn man thanks!!!! With these videos I am able to my car work myself :) keep them videos coming man and God bless ya!

[juice1171]

great video, im sure i ll nned to do that very soon in my saturn, so i be watching you video a few more times. thanks again..

[dieseldolittle2]

@Richpin. Great video. Is there a difference between Dexron for GM cars and Dexron for Ford. And if so, why is there a difference?

[richpin06a]

@dieseldolittle2 Not sure

[docthemac]

Great vid as always. Any chance you could make one on changing the oil pan gasket and or the fuel pump.

What do think about the $30 fuel system/pump treatment that GM says can reverse pump wear from running it low on gas? Much cheaper than changing the pump but wanted to know if you had any dealings with it.

Thanks so much!

[richpin06a]

@docthemac I have a couple saturns that might need the pans in the future which i will do a video on.

[docthemac]

Hey Rich, If I remember correct when I did this on my 01 SC2 I could get to the tran filter from the bottom w/o needing to remove all that from the engine compartment no?

[richpin06a]

@docthemac I should have mentioned that it is possible to replace the filter from the bottom if you choose.

[Infinitrium]

I did a fluid and filter change on my old 96 SL2 in a parking lot once, after i got stuck in a snowbank and after rocking it back and forth for a while then for some reason the filter got overpressurised and the gasket blew out and i lost oll the fluid. i put on a new filter and some fresh fluid, and it happened again 2 weeks later. Another filter (from a Saturn dealer!) and fluid, then later the tranny started shifting HARD, then it lost all gears but reverse and 1st.

[RandomTask2008]

Don't we wish all transmissions had an external filter and drain plug?!

[richpin06a]

@RandomTask2008 The first one i did i thought i died and gone to heaven.

[crystalscan2002]

the prob with my stick its bolted on so its pain

[JohnzCarz]

That’s the first time I have ever seen an external filter for the AT – pretty easy job to change. No wonder GM had to kill of Saturn, can’t have this kind of easy servicing design running around.

[richpin06a]

@JohnzCarz Seems like a no brainier

[spelunkerd]

I know, to check the fluid level, the engine has to be warm. Does the engine need to be running when you check the level?

[richpin06a]

@spelunkerd Yes it needs to be running.

[spelunkerd]

That's a great idea to put in what you take out. My only problem is that when I change ATF, it often ends up on the floor, in my hair, and basically all over the shop so it's hard to measure. It looks SO much easier when you have a drain plug, ha ha.

[richpin06a]

@spelunkerd Why they all do not have drain plugs i have no idea.

[beachbummm69]

Almost fogot...FIRST!!!! there now Im just like everyone else ;)

[lynam100]

Was just wondering since you work on so many Saturns did you work for a Saturn dealer or something and for how long if so? Seems you know all the tricks to them. Good vid as allways.

[richpin06a]

@lynam100 I have very smart friends that own Saturns.

[beachbummm69]

saturn was always easy to change the filter, they should all be made this way