How to Change the Transmission Fluid on a Van
- 1). Look under your van and locate the transmission. On the bottom side of the transmission, you will locate a drain plug. In most cases, the drain plug is not a standard hex-head bolt. It is a ratchet bolt. This means your ratchet goes directly into the bolt head and the bolt sits flush with the transmission. Look for a bolt head with a square hole in it. The plug could be on either side of the transmission.
- 2). Place a jack under the frame opposite the side you located the oil plug on. For example, if you located the plug on the passenger's side of the transmission, place the jack under the frame on the driver's side. When you jack up the van, you make the plug the lowest part of the transmission. This helps you drain out even more oil. Place the van on a jack stand for safety since you will be under the vehicle.
- 3). Remove the drain plug using a socket and ratchet, or just the ratchet if it is a ratchet bolt. As you remove the plug, transmission oil will start to drain out. Have your drain pan ready to catch it. Allow all of the oil to drain. This could take 10 or more minutes.
- 4). Secure the drain plug back into the transmission. Make sure it is tight.
- 5). Jack the van up, remove the jack stand and lower it back to the ground.
- 6). Measure the amount of ATF fluid you removed from the transmission using a measuring cup. Use this measurement to determine how much fresh ATF fluid you need.
- 7). Open the engine hood, locate the transmission fluid dipstick tube and remove the dipstick.
- 8). Place a funnel into the dipstick tube and drain the appropriate amount of TF oil into the funnel. Do not overfill the transmission. Replace the dipstick when finished.