Do I really need to get all 100% oil atf out?

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Jul 19th, 2021 10:31 am

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Jul 17th, 2021 11:43 am

cristianosham [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 6, 2017; 4573 posts; 3048 upvotes

Jul 17th, 2021 11:43 am

Do I really need to get all 100% oil atf out?

Well yesterday I finally had 1 hour free time to remove the pan, replace the filter and change the atf fluid that was in the pan. Pumped in 6 litres of Fuch 4400, waited for the temp to be 35 degrees, opened the drained plug, waited for the trickling fluid and buttoned it all up. Next time to do this again will be another 60K but there are some camps that preach to drain and refill like 3 or 4 times to get 100% clean oil. I feel that is overkill and I like to know what the rfd diy members are doing?

15 replies

Jul 17th, 2021 11:58 am

BDSL: Deal Addict; Sep 22, 2009; 3717 posts; 2702 upvotes; Markham

Jul 17th, 2021 11:58 am

You are going to get a mixed opinions here.
Some will even drain their fluid for +24 hours....to get the last drop of fluid out (at least they think they get to the last drop).

Jul 17th, 2021 12:05 pm

ROYinTO: Deal Fanatic; Dec 12, 2009; 5790 posts; 3273 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 17th, 2021 12:05 pm

Vehicle info would help.
Draining the pan still leaves some in the system e.g. torque converter. Each successive fluid change increases the ratio of new:old fluid.

Say you are only changing 50% of the fluid each time.
1st change = 50% new
2nd change = 75% new
3rd change = 87.5% new
4th change = 93.75% new
and so on

What does the manufacturer say?

Jul 17th, 2021 3:54 pm

ES_Revenge: Deal Expert; Mar 23, 2004; 34475 posts; 17128 upvotes

Jul 17th, 2021 3:54 pm

With an actual AT or anything with a torque converter really, the only way you're going to get the majority of the fluid out is to pump it out with pressurised machine. Alternatively the DIY mechanic can just remove the return line from the cooler and "auto pump" out the trans by filling and having it pump out with the car running. Ideally you'd want one of those 17-20L buckets of fluid to do this though, depending on the original trans capacity.

However I'd say don't bother and just do a static drain and refill.

Milwaukee (M12), Ridgid (18V), Ryobi (ONE+ & 40V) chargers for sale in GTA.

Jul 17th, 2021 4:48 pm

cristianosham [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 6, 2017; 4573 posts; 3048 upvotes

Jul 17th, 2021 4:48 pm

ROYinTO wrote: ↑Vehicle info would help.
Draining the pan still leaves some in the system e.g. torque converter. Each successive fluid change increases the ratio of new:old fluid.

Say you are only changing 50% of the fluid each time.
1st change = 50% new
2nd change = 75% new
3rd change = 87.5% new
4th change = 93.75% new
and so on

What does the manufacturer say?

2015 VW Tiguan.
Drain and refill. Does not require filter replacement but when I removed the old filter you can see all the debris and gunk pouring out. That alone was enough to convince necessary filter replacement. Both magnets covered in black slime.

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Last edited by cristianosham on Jul 17th, 2021 7:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jul 17th, 2021 5:37 pm

billford: Deal Addict; Feb 6, 2011; 2220 posts; 2697 upvotes

Jul 17th, 2021 5:37 pm

cristianosham wrote: ↑ I feel that is overkill and I like to know what the rfd diy members are doing?

Years ago, I welded a drain plug nut to the trans pan. And there was enough room to drill and tap a plug for the torque convertor.
I do a drain and fill of the pan and torque convertor once a year.

Let it drip overnight. I find its less wrench time this way as I don't have to sit there and wait for it to stop dripping.

Measure what comes out, put the same amount back in, assuming the level was correct before draining it.

Every second year, remove pan and replace the internal filter. Its overkill but I find the fluid stays nice and clean this way. Trans fluids cheap for my car, so the cost is minimal.

Last edited by billford on Jul 17th, 2021 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jul 17th, 2021 5:39 pm

ROYinTO: Deal Fanatic; Dec 12, 2009; 5790 posts; 3273 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 17th, 2021 5:39 pm

I did mine 5X over a couple of months.
This was because the mfgr switched the ATF and recommended repeat changes.
OK they said to do it all in one service running it through the gears a number of times after getting up to temp. I chose to do it over a number of weekends with a few clicks between. There is no filter to replace, but each time there was a change in colour and less black metal stuff on the magnetic plug.
The vehicle does not have a pan or easy accessible filter.

Now that I've done that series once & set my baseline, I will only do a single drain and fill (DNF) from now on following the recommended schedule.

Jul 17th, 2021 7:32 pm

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 13659 posts; 5341 upvotes; Ontario

Jul 17th, 2021 7:32 pm

What car is it?

If its recommended to do it 3 or 4 times as you mention then I would do it at least twice to get another good amount of the old oil out. ideally 3 or 4 times but time/cost etc so i would say at least do it twice. Drive it for a few kms to get it mixed up then drain/fill it will be better then just doing it once.

cristianosham wrote: ↑ Well yesterday I finally had 1 hour free time to remove the pan, replace the filter and change the atf fluid that was in the pan. Pumped in 6 litres of Fuch 4400, waited for the temp to be 35 degrees, opened the drained plug, waited for the trickling fluid and buttoned it all up. Next time to do this again will be another 60K but there are some camps that preach to drain and refill like 3 or 4 times to get 100% clean oil. I feel that is overkill and I like to know what the rfd diy members are doing?

0_o
<_<
>_>
New Furnace/AC Time?

Jul 18th, 2021 12:35 am

Badman: Deal Fanatic; Aug 4, 2005; 8394 posts; 1148 upvotes; Brampton

Jul 18th, 2021 12:35 am

Personally I’d change once but do the next one at a shorter interval.

Twice if you really want.

Jul 18th, 2021 8:16 am

ES_Revenge: Deal Expert; Mar 23, 2004; 34475 posts; 17128 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 8:16 am

cristianosham wrote: ↑ 2015 VW Tiguan.
Drain and refill. Does not require filter replacement but when I removed the old filter you can see all the debris and gunk pouring out. That alone was enough to convince necessary filter replacement. Both magnets covered in black slime.

Looks like an AWD model, I'd recommend changing the Haldex fluid/filter as well if it hasn't been done recently.

Milwaukee (M12), Ridgid (18V), Ryobi (ONE+ & 40V) chargers for sale in GTA.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 8:24 am

cristianosham [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 6, 2017; 4573 posts; 3048 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 8:24 am

ES_Revenge wrote: ↑ Looks like an AWD model, I'd recommend changing the Haldex fluid/filter as well if it hasn't been done recently.

I did the haldex fluid at 69K and there was no filter to replace on this model year.
front bevel gear and rear differential oil was done at 65K.

Jul 18th, 2021 8:32 am

ES_Revenge: Deal Expert; Mar 23, 2004; 34475 posts; 17128 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 8:32 am

cristianosham wrote: ↑ I did the haldex fluid at 69K and there was no filter to replace on this model year.
front bevel gear and rear differential oil was done at 65K.

You're sure there is no filter? That looks like a PQ35 car... I thought only MQBs had 5th gen Haldex? Then again 1st Gen Tiguan was being sold for quite a while after other cars were on MQB so I guess you may well have a Gen 5 Haldex.

Milwaukee (M12), Ridgid (18V), Ryobi (ONE+ & 40V) chargers for sale in GTA.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 8:38 am

cristianosham [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 6, 2017; 4573 posts; 3048 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 8:38 am

ES_Revenge wrote: ↑ You're sure there is no filter? That looks like a PQ35 car... I thought only MQBs had 5th gen Haldex? Then again 1st Gen Tiguan was being sold for quite a while after other cars were on MQB so I guess you may well have a Gen 5 Haldex.

yes, I ordered the filter and when came time to do it I was searching all over for the filter cap and two allen bolts. Took pictures and found out that I do have a 5th gen Haldex.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 10:35 am

mxthor3: Deal Addict; Oct 1, 2015; 3385 posts; 5019 upvotes; Barrie, ON

Jul 18th, 2021 10:35 am

Simple answer. No.

+2

Jul 19th, 2021 6:51 am

MrBungal: Deal Addict; Jun 15, 2021; 1479 posts; 1321 upvotes

Jul 19th, 2021 6:51 am

I thought all the newer AT cars are sealed and claim you don't even need to change the ATF. (by the way ATF already contains the word "fluid", so don't need to add it otherwise it will read automatic transmission fluid fluid)

Something something signature

+2

Jul 19th, 2021 10:31 am

mxthor3: Deal Addict; Oct 1, 2015; 3385 posts; 5019 upvotes; Barrie, ON

Jul 19th, 2021 10:31 am

MrBungal wrote: ↑ I thought all the newer AT cars are sealed and claim you don't even need to change the ATF. (by the way ATF already contains the word "fluid", so don't need to add it otherwise it will read automatic transmission fluid fluid)

Transmissions require service, no matter what the company who stuffs them inside their vehicles says. Go by what the transmission manufacturer says, not BMW (for example).

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