What is a good healthy transmission fluid color after pulling it out the dipstick? I need transmission fluid, for some reason, I dont' have much. I know this has been discussed before, but should I just get Dexron III? Where do I put the fluid? Also, are there any good transmission fluid additives? If someone could link me on how to drain it and fill it that would be awesome. But if someone could answer my original question too..

 

I'm assuming you are talking about a A4. The fluid shoul be a pinkinsh red. You add fluid throught the dipstick tube. I used any decent ATF fluid and never had a problem. I doubt there is much difference in quality between name brand products. Pull the pan off the tranny to drain it. Replace the gasket and filter, torque pan bolts very lightly and do use a torque wrench. About 10 pounds torque should be lots. If you don't use a torque wrench be prepared for a bent pan, fluid leaks and the possibibilty of having to replace the pan entirely. It is not a hard job, so don't be frightened, just be carefull.

 

If your liquid looks darkish red or so then it needs to be changed. Run the car for a bit before pulling the dipstick out.

 

My tranny fluid is like...black. Should I get the WHOLE system flushed and cleaned at Jiffy Lube or something?

 

Black is not good. Personally i like taking it to a friends shop or the dealer when it comes to changing major fluids. It involves fluid drain and filter replacement. $100 is the average at the dealer.

 

Jiffy Lube quoted my 31.99

 

Sorry to say it, but I would suggest you start putting your dollars aside for a new tranny. Black means death, particularly when you have a mysterious vanishing fluid problem. Death will almost surely come sooner rather than later. If your tranny is in as a shape as you suggest, a flush and refill will finish it off in very short order, so just top it up and hope it hangs on.

 

Not good...I have an A4, and if it does go out, what would you recommend me put in there? I was lookin at a 4L8OE, but then I would probably have to get another tune. My tranny runs fine though. The fluid IS pinkish red but when I rub it off on the towel it's black. The pinkish red is pretty dark, it just comes off black on the towel.

 

Ok well if it looks pinkish red but more black on the towel, that is not so unusual. If you decide to change the fluid, just drop the pan and replace that fluid. ATF, has very high detergent properties, so when all new fluid is added it tends to wash stuff out of all the nooks and crannies. This is often enough to wipe out the tranny.

As for new trannies, I recommend the M6. 8-) Seriously, I don't know because I pay no attention to A4 build ups. I switched to M6 and have found the car much more fun to drive.

 

Spring for a felpro trans pan gasket in the flat box...they are worth every penny and really are under 10 bucks anyway...dimpling the pan bolt holes with a ball peen hammer helps and do not use gasket sealer youll only cause the gasket to " squish" out...(although the felpro gasket probably wont squish out because of it's material, yet a cork gasket definately would)

I usually just do a filter and fluid change, add a drain plug if it doesnt already have one, then over the course of a week or two I periodically just drain out the pan and top off with 4 quarts or whatever it takes...eventually I wind up with a totally flushed system...

I use Valvoline for high mileage trannies (mine has 73,000) it is supposed to have friction additives or whatever I just got it cause its cheap..as long as it's Dextron III it's shouldnt matter what you get, just stick with a name you trust.

 

Forget the 4l80E, it will suck some power, and is not a direct bolt in. For your power levels, a trans like mine will work friggin great. FLP Lvl 4, or a strret/strip from pro-built.net will be sweet with a 3K stall...... Be ready to spend around 2K for a nice trans+converter and cooler. There is a used FLP for sale in the sale section.

Does your trans slip at all?

I try to stick with valvoline ATF dexron III. It was reccomended by my trans builder and it works fine.