Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle tranny drain and refill

I'm thinking about changing my tranny fluid. How many quarts of tranny fluid do I buy for the CD4E? When I change it, how do I get the fluid out of the torque converter? Since the pan is hard to get to how am I supposed to change the filter? I thought you have to when you change the fluid. After I put the new fluid in and start it, do I have to move it through all of the gear or just drive and reverse? How long do I have to do that before I check it? I don't want to screw up my tranny and it's my first time doing it, so that's why i'm asking a lot of questions. Any good help would be appreciated.

depends on if you flush or just drain and fill it. i drained and filled mine. you need 4qts, 8qts, or 12qts. it drain 4 every time. i didn't change filter because you have to take the whole pan off. just drained it (jack car up some as draining, lower it to fill). after adding putting drain plug back in, add 4qts, start car, shift through gears a few times, and repeat as much as you what. the torque convertor fluid isn't gonna come out. and use mobil1 aft, worth the $$$$$.

I think they hold somewhere in the range of 10 quarts. When I flushed mine, I used 12 quarts, just to be sure.

Don't worry about the filter. You have to seperate the case of the tranny to get to it. You really need to pull the front subframe and remove the tranny to do it properly.


Unless your fluid is in really bad condition you can simply drain out the 4 quarts and refill. Do a search in this forum and you will find all sorts of great information on what fluids to use.

Doing this is easy.

There is a drain plug on the very bottom of the tranny.
Removing this plug will allow the fluid to escape.
You will drop about 4 qts of oil this way.

Replace the drain plug and then pour in 4 qts of fresh ATX oil.
Use MERCON ATF Fluid.
AMSOIL is the best brand you can buy, and Mobil 1 runs a close second.
Do not use anytyhing that is labeled as Mercon V.
Our transmissions were not built for use with Mercon V.

After you fill the tranny, start the engine and move the shifter to 1.
Then back it thgough all the gear positions till you get to P.
Check the fluid level and make sure it is full.

Drive the car for a day or so and then do it all over again.
After the 3rd time, you should have changed at least 75% of the fluid.
You won't get 100% of the fluid unless you take it to someplace that does a flush,
not a POWERFLUSH,
or you drop the tranny and disassemble it.

Flushing and POWERFLUSH are not the same.
Don't let anyone tell you anytyhing different.
Powerflushes use additives to remove built up varnish and settlement.
A Flush only uses NEW ATX Oil.

The only problem you may have is finding a local shop or Oil Change center to take your waste oil off your hands.
They may charge you a small fee to dispose of this waste oil.

advance/discount auto recycle fluids, autozone probably does too. my old fluid looked so clean, i have to wonder when the previous owners last changed it, it looked almost new.

advance/discount auto recycles fluids for free. i got a few jugs i need to take to them.

where are the drain plugs and fill hole at?

Right at the bottom of the CD4E, facing straight down. There should be a hole that looks square and you use a 3/8" ratch to loosen it.