Translucent ATF drain collection jug

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Feb 25, 2009
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349
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TX
I just got 2 of these HDPE 5 Liter fuzzy jugs from Aliexpress for exact line level measurement of fluid and refill. Do you guys think it should be sufficient volume for my JATCO CVT8 fluid? I know my Acura drains no more than 4qt DW-1, so 5 liter capacity is fine, but the CVT drains between 4-5, so hoping🤞🏽 it will not spill over into another container. **Before anyone says anything...YES, I'M AWARE I MUST NOT MIX CVT FLUID WITH REGULAR ATF FLUID, so I marked each one.**
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Maybe I'm a little too OCD but it is a JATCO CVT we're talking about so.....
 
I would suggest that you get this $6 translucent HDX 10 quart bucket with U.S. & Metric graduated markings from Home Depot for ATF/CVT fluid changes. It is the perfect size/volume for that task and handles hot oils w/out any problem.

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Huh...that's actually about the same as what I paid for the jugs. It could work, but the opacity of the plastic might make the meniscus hard to see. Although...how tall is that, because if I can't put it directly under the pan when the front of the vehicle is on ramps, it wouldn't be worthwhile.
 
Not enough room in my garage for the extra jugs. I just use the oil change container for everything but coolant. Have a separate one for coolant. Each holds about 10 qts. My cars are easy, just plain red ATF, with a dipstick to check level. Keeping my easy to maintain beaters that have dipsticks for as long as I can.. If I'm spillin and fillin ATF, I just look at the color of the fluid as it drains. The newer cars are becoming ridiculous IMO. No transmission stick or now, no oil stick.
 
I don't measure what comes out. I measure what goes in. There are methods to determine proper fill on transmissions with no dipstick. They aren't rocket science, difficult, nor require mojo magic. They're just different than pour and measure on the stick.
 
Huh...that's actually about the same as what I paid for the jugs. It could work, but the opacity of the plastic might make the meniscus hard to see. Although...how tall is that, because if I can't put it directly under the pan when the front of the vehicle is on ramps, it wouldn't be worthwhile.
I just measured it and it is 9.5 inches tall by 11 inches in diameter (at the top). I have used it 3 times this year to change ATF and oil on a Camry, Odyssey and Accord where the front end was on standard jackstands. No problem at all with seeing the ATF or oil through the translucent plastic at all. You can clearly read the fluid level through the side of the bucket with any ambient lighting (inside or outdoors).

I got the tip on the HDX bucket from The Car Care Nut video below. Scroll to the 7 min., 15 second mark to see it in use.

 
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I just measured it and it is 9.5 inches tall by 11 inches in diameter (at the top). I have used it 3 times this year to change ATF and oil on a Camry, Odyssey and Accord where the front end was on standard jackstands. No problem at all with seeing the ATF or oil through the translucent plastic at all. You can clearly read the fluid level through the side of the bucket with any ambient lighting (inside or outdoors).

I got the tip on the HDX bucket from The Car Care Nut video below. Scroll to the 7 min., 15 second mark to see it in use.


Ok thanks the measurements, seems like it will fit easily under the cars. Does Home Depot sell an attachable spout for spill free pouring into disposing containers? Normally I collect in a dirt cheap Dollar Tree bucket which has a spout then transfer to lid jugs.
 
2011 Buick LaCrosse 120k mi, 50k on current fluid.

Cooler flush w/2qts Havoline Multi Vehicle synthetic, 3qts AC Delco Dex VI Synthetic, 4qts Redline D6, 9oz Lubegard Red.

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I love my graduated (qt and L) 5gal pail for transmission fluid changes. Don't remember where this came from, but certainly you can get a facsimile of this at Walmart.
 
Ok thanks the measurements, seems like it will fit easily under the cars. Does Home Depot sell an attachable spout for spill free pouring into disposing containers? Normally I collect in a dirt cheap Dollar Tree bucket which has a spout then transfer to lid jugs.
I don't think Home Depot has a spout for those paint buckets. However, I've just used a wide funnel to transfer the used ATF/oil into an empty 5 qt. oil jug. Although I placed cardboard under the jug, not a single drop was spilled on three separate occasions.
 
I use the 12 volt oil transfer pump to drain my Mercedes straight into a plastic 2.5 gallon waste oil can. When doing the other cars that I pull the plug, I use the same pump to empty the pan into the same can or the old 5qt jugs if it's full. A jump start pack is great for running the pump. No mess unless I trip over myself and kick the pan.
 
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