How do You do your Fluid Changes?

[oilnoob425]

I will need to change brake, transmission and coolan fluids soon. What devices are out there that will allow me to get the job done faster and easier? I already know about Motive brake bleeder that I heard good things about. It allows you to change your brake fluid fast and easy all by yourself.

Are there any similiar devices for transmission fluid and coolant change? How do you change your fluids? Thanks.

 

[Scott P]

I use a MityVac when bleeding/flushing brake fluid. I use a drain pan for transmission fluid changes. I don't do coolant changes myself. I take it and have it flushed by machine when the time comes. That way all the fluid is recycled and I don't have to mess with that volume of fluid.

 

[mjoekingz28]

I bought a hand pump for $3 that works well at siphoning the brake fluid out so you can fill with fresh fluid before you bleed them. Also used it to change out my power steering fluid since there is no way to drain it. Although it got the job done on my differential, it takes a very long time to draw gear oil through a tube no bigger than a straw.

For the transmission I used about a 5' length of garden hose.
Coolant, depending on how bad it is (is it still green) just open the drain on the bottom of the radiator, rescrew, and refill....simple enough if its not 10 year old rusted sludge in there.

 

[Donald]

Are you talking an auto tranny or manual?

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

When you guys bleed the brakes, do you lift all four corners up on jack stands all at once or do you do it one corner at a time?

 

[ARB1977]

In the Tacoma i added a remote filter kit fot the tranny and replace the filter every year (Moble One) and every other year the filter again and drain whats in the pan with Amsoil Universal ATF. The rear and front diff rarely and the same for the xfer case.

 

[Dominic]

It's never a problem to do one corner at a time, wheels come off easily enough and its much safer. The only way Id do all 4 corners is if I had a lift.

 

[oilnoob425]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Are you talking an auto tranny or manual?


Auto.

 

[oilnoob425]

So what there is no easy way to change transmission fluid like it is with brake fluid and that Motive pump? I heard of MittyVac but don't understand what it does and how it works exactly. Can you suck out all the tranny fluid with it an easy way and just pour fresh fluid in? Thanks.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

If your trans has drain and fill plugs then changing the fluid should be a piece of cake.

 

[Kestas]

To bleed the brakes - depending on the model - sometimes it's easier to reach in from underneath to get at the bleeder than to remove the wheel.