Originally posted by Ray:
"do as I say, not as I do"



Unless you say to leave the drain plug off, right? You should probably fix the FAQ and delete all these posts to clarify the issue. I did it for you, since you're overworked here as it is:


Drain Procedure:
  • Raise and support the vehicle. DO NOT WORK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SOME MEANS OF SUPPORT (other than the jack itself). Jacks are not meant to SUPPORT the weight, only to lift it temporarily.. Failure to heed this warning could result in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
  • Locate the MTX FILL plug. We want to find the fill plug first, even though it is full (for now). Using either the 8mm allen wrench, or the T50 torx bit, we need to loosen the plug just to make sure it WILL loosen. It would really suck to drain your tranny, then find out you can't put more in!
    The fill plug is located on the forward edge of the tranny as noted in this picture.

    You can make out the waterpump pulley on the upper left of the picture, for reference. It is underneath the front bumper, just to the rear of the lower splash shield.
  • re-tighten the fill plug (just so no dirt gets in there, though you shouldn't have taken it OUT.. just break it loose.
  • Locate the drain plug. It is located on the passenger side of the lowest part of the tranny. You can get a better overall understanding of it (and the entire process) by looking at this picture (source unknown)

  • Place your drain pan underneath the drain plug, and loosen the drain plug, draining whatever you can from the transaxle. Be sure you replace the drain plug!
  • completely remove the FILL plug, now.
  • Using the pump, begin adding your fresh fluids to the MTX. This is a "fill-till-spill" process, so add fluid until you have reached the fill plug's opening, and begin to lose fluid.
  • replace fill plug
  • lower the vehicle
  • dispose of old fluid according to locally enforced laws.

-Philip Maynard '95 Contour [71 STS | Track Whore] '97 Miata [71 ES | Boulevard Pimp] 2006 autocross results