More questions for my 2000 Eclipse with 155k miles of which 20k miles is mine. I changed the ATF last month but found out I did not have the right size socket for the drain plug. I disconnected the cooler return hose, started the engine and drained 4 quarts from the torque converter, refilled and drained another 4 quarts and refilled the last time. The initial batch was dark brown/almost black, the second batch was a bit red with the new fluid. I also changed the screw-on ATF filter which was OEM/13 years old.
The capacity is about 8 quarts, and I used 8 quarts of Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF. The fluid looks red now although still somewhat darker than new. Due to the ignorance of previous owners I was a bit worried about potential failures after the fluid change. So far the car runs okay for a month.
I am looking into another drain and fill from the plug since I got the socket wrench now. The question is do I do it now or wait until next year? Since I drained from the cooler return hose, the dirty fluid never returned to the drain pan to mix with the new fluid, so this might be better than two drain and fill.
Also, do I need to warm the car up or do it cold when I remove the drain plug? Which is the best way to drain the dirt and metal shaves out of the drain pan?
Lastly, Lubegard or not? I see different opinions here. The transmission never had a problem or hard shifting with me.
FYI, the car will be used for short commute to/at school, so lots of 2-mile trips. Because we just got a Prius I will try to put long trips on the new car. The last oil change was in March 2200 miles ago with dino. The engine is already noisy, so I plan to change it early with Mobil 1 HM 5w30 soon, after I fix the power steering/suspension problem. I hope this can protect the engine better due to extremely short trips. Sounds good?
The capacity is about 8 quarts, and I used 8 quarts of Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF. The fluid looks red now although still somewhat darker than new. Due to the ignorance of previous owners I was a bit worried about potential failures after the fluid change. So far the car runs okay for a month.
I am looking into another drain and fill from the plug since I got the socket wrench now. The question is do I do it now or wait until next year? Since I drained from the cooler return hose, the dirty fluid never returned to the drain pan to mix with the new fluid, so this might be better than two drain and fill.
Also, do I need to warm the car up or do it cold when I remove the drain plug? Which is the best way to drain the dirt and metal shaves out of the drain pan?
Lastly, Lubegard or not? I see different opinions here. The transmission never had a problem or hard shifting with me.
FYI, the car will be used for short commute to/at school, so lots of 2-mile trips. Because we just got a Prius I will try to put long trips on the new car. The last oil change was in March 2200 miles ago with dino. The engine is already noisy, so I plan to change it early with Mobil 1 HM 5w30 soon, after I fix the power steering/suspension problem. I hope this can protect the engine better due to extremely short trips. Sounds good?
