So picked up 9 quarts of Amsoil transmission fluid. And then the rep told me there are few ways to replace the fluid

-drain the pan, fill in 3 quarts, which isn't really replacing it

- do 3x3 fluid change, but he said that at least 40% of the old oil is still in there

- The last method he recommended was to replace oil in the pan, then open transmission lines and get 4-5 quarts out from torque converter. He said it is time consuming and the proper way to do it. He also had a friend who owns transmission shop, they can do it for $150 labor.

Has anyone here heard of this last method ? If it isn't an overkill, then i would go for it since i don't know when was the last time the previous owner changed the oil.

any input?

 

Lots of input and all at your finger tips.

 

Do it 5 times with 1000 mile intervals.
3 quarts each

 

this

 

Sounds like he was trying to make money off you by saying his way is better than the rest. Doing a 3x3 drain and fill will replace more than 40%.... If you can do some simple math you fill figure that out. Yes it only drains 3 out of 9 quarts total, but it gets diluted with the rest when driving, that's why you take a short drive after each drain and fill, and do that 3x. You'll replace most of it, and if you want to be picky, do a 4x3, that'll be good enough for sure

 

Either way you put it, an extra $150 labor for his method is a waste since you can buy like over 10 qts of fluid with that, so you can do even more drain and fills

 

Just drain and fill- skip all the flush and other methods out there. Depending on your mileage (>80k) , maybe the every 1000 mile interval makes sense. If you have lower miles, I would simply do the ATF every oil change until you have done that three times. After that- every 20k miles and you will be in good shape.

 

I did my 3 x 3 at 50,000 miles, now I do a 1 x 3 at every other oil change (so ~ 15000 miles). I'm at 91,000 miles now,

 

My car is sitting at 120,000 Miles, and today I did my 1x3 transmission oil change, still 2 more changes of 3 quarts to go.

The color of oil looked disgusting, and I mean when it gushed out, me and my mechanic friend went jeezuz! this oil is durrrty!! So after first change, there is a day and night difference. Car shifts faster and no crazy upshifts downshifts shudder.

It will only get better with next 2 tranny oil changes and I am going to be replacing switches as well. Waiting on brakemotive rotors and brake pads to arrive

My TL is getting some serious love and I can feel it the way drives, she's loving it

 

I don't have any issues with my tranny (knock on wood), shifts smooth since the first day I drove it. My D light in the dashboard sometimes blinks, which means something might be wrong, but I only noticed it about 3 times over the span roughly 3 months. I called the dealer today and got the rundown of service on the tranny - the ATF hasn't been changed in roughly 60K miles!!! With that said, and reading up on changing the switches, I'm hoping after doing a 3x3 and the switches that I'll continue to have an excellent running tranny.

I checked the level after it sitting overnight and it was right between the 2 holes in the dipstick - but it was a lil dirty. Will changing the ATF and switches stop the light from sometimes blinking, or is there a more serious problem?

 

If any of you have an '04-'06 TL, this filter is a good idea to change as well. Filter is ~$10......DIY for filter change is below. Some have said that this can get clogged, and will help to ruin transmiission.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/c-036-diy-transmission-filter-replacement-pics-787078/