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Automobiles: Gearbox Lube & Filter Change

An automatic transmission should get fluid refilled and the filter replaced every two years at least every two years, unless there's a strainer that's regularly serviced. For convenience, typically the filter, pan gasket and any O-rings are packaged together.

On most cars, you need to drop the oil pan to drain the old fluid and gain access to the filter. Many filters have an O-ring seal with the oil pump inlet (sometimes the O-ring is on the filter or on a neck that projects from the pump) which you need to replace it and seat it accurately. Otherwise, if the pump doesn't get enough oil, transmission performance is reduced. If there's a magnet in the drain pan (to catch metal shavings in the fluid), clean it before reinstalling.

You can also get an aftermarket in-line filter, which works like an oil filter, that you can splice into the cooler lines. If you plan heavy-duty use of your vehicle, like towing, an auxiliary cooler may a good idea, as well. If this is placed in the line ahead of the stock radiator cooler, then the Automatic Transmission Fluid isn't overcooled, and the radiator will actually warm the transmission fluid to the proper temperature in winter.