Quick Transmission Fluid Change Questions

[comatose]

First off, my ATF fluid appears to be fine (still red & no wierd smells, only about 15K old), however I would like to switch my transmission fluid to royal purple, but have a couple of questions:

1) Dropping the pan in my garage won't get all the old fluid out, obviously. Is it ok if the Royal Purple mixes with the old stuff?

2)Should I still change the filter?

Thanks

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Absolutely change the filter dude! If you are going to already have the pan off its a no brainer. You may find a weird looking plug in the pan. This is normal and you can just discard it. It is a dust plug from the assembly line.

I would not suggest "mixing fluids", drain the torque converter as well and change it all.

 

[comatose]

Is draining the torque converter difficult?

Between those two things, that should get like 80% of the fluid, right? Would that get enough out to not worry about too much old stuff mixing?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The Haynes manual explains how to line up the TC drain plug so you can access it. I am not sure about mixing fluids, someone else will know.

 

[bdcardinal]

you want to make sure that the fluid you use is Mercon V. its differnt than a regular Dexron3/Mercon fluid. the V spec has shudder protection. you can fix brands all you want.