Replaced the transmission fluid today with some Eneos 75W-90. The shifting is smooth as butter now! Draining and refilling took a few hours, and you do need some sockets that may not be in your normal box of tools, specifically 24mm and 27mm with a big socket wrench (long).
Basic steps are:
- Make room in the engine bay to access the reverse sensor port. For me, this involved taking off the MAF sensor and part of the airbox.
- Disconnect and loosen the sensor using a 27mm socket. It may help to take off the bracket that is in the way.
- Remove driver side front tire and place front end on jackstand. This will allow for easier access to the transmission plugs.
- Put your drain pan under the transmission drain plug/port and loosen the nut with a 24mm socket. There’s very little clearance there, but you only need to loosen the nut and then you can take it off by hand. Once it starts getting loose and about to come off, I recommend wrapping the whole area with a plastic grocery bag to avoid excess spilling.
- Let the oil drain out, then screw the nut back in. Do not over tighten.
- Next, take off the “fill” plug. It’s the one located a bit higher from the drain and also takes a 24mm socket to remove. Place a small tray under the fill hole.
- Put your wheel back on and lower the car so that it is level to avoid over filling.
- Pour the new oil through the reverse sensor hole until you see it coming out the fill hole. It should take a little more than 2.5 quarts.
- Replace the nut for the fill hole along with the reverse sensor and anything else you had to unscrew.
- Done!
