Automatic TransmissionFluid Change

Automatic transmission fluid change at PRO SERVICE (Batumi, Airport Highway 212): drain-and-fill, pan and filter service or a full machine exchange — we choose the method by fluid condition and gearbox history. Drain-and-fill from … GEL, full exchange from … GEL, time 1-2 hours. Fluid is matched to the manufacturer's specification.

Three ways to change ATF

• Drain-and-fill. We drain through the pan plug and refill the same amount. Only part of the fluid is renewed — the rest stays in the torque converter, cooler and passages. The cheapest option; for a noticeable effect it is sometimes repeated two or three times at intervals.
• Drain-and-fill with pan removal. Plus cleaning the pan and magnets, a new filter and gasket. It also shows what is on the magnets: fine dust or large metal chips.
• Full (machine) exchange. A machine is connected into the transmission cooler line and, with the engine running, pushes old fluid out with new. Almost all the fluid is renewed, but it uses noticeably more fluid than the gearbox capacity.

Which method to choose

• Changed on schedule, fluid clean and odourless — a drain-and-fill is enough.
• Unknown history — typical for used cars imported from abroad: we check the fluid and fault codes first, then decide.
• Dark fluid, burnt smell, gearbox already jerks — be careful. New fluid does not cure wear, and on a badly worn gearbox an abrupt full exchange can sometimes bring problems to the surface. This needs automatic transmission diagnostics and repair; fluid alone will not do.
• The filter sits under the pan on some gearboxes and is easy to replace; on others it is inside and only reachable during a rebuild. We tell you in advance which case yours is.

How we do it

1. Check fluid level and condition, read gearbox fault codes.
2. Match the fluid to the specification (Dexron, Mercon, ATF WS, T-IV and others — each gearbox has its own). We do not pour a "universal" ATF without checking the spec.
3. Drain, remove the pan if needed, replace filter and gasket.
4. Set the level by the manufacturer's procedure — warm gearbox at the specified temperature. Many modern automatics have no dipstick; the level is set via a check plug.
5. Adaptation reset if required, then a road test.

A CVT is serviced with its own procedure and its own fluid — see CVT repair.

Prices

Prices are for labor; fluid is charged by volume and specification.