ATF Fluid/Filter change Questions

[CrackBox06]

First off, Howdy. Noob to the board. We have a '06 SX regular, Auto trans with the 2.3L. Car is just under 30k miles. We bought the car brand new, and it's been maintenanced VERY well. I do all the maintenance myself at home. It's been averagin 29 MPG/Tank mix of city/hwy.

The ATF is looking pretty bad. It's brown and burnt smelling, not terribly bad though, but bad enough to change it at the 30k mark. So what is involved in doing the trans service on one of these cars? The transmission doesn't seem to have a typical pan on the bottom. It has a small pan on the front side though. Does it have a filter that needs to be replaced, or a strainer that needs cleaned out? I see it takes DexIII, so that's nothing new or unusual. I'm a experienced Tech, but have no work history with these Suzuki's and like to do work by the Book (factory service manual) and keep up with TSB's. thanks in advance.

[greg409]

If I'm not mistaken, it's similiar to my '03-2.0L auto.
Small drain in bottom of trans case, 10mm allen into drain plug.
do it hot, about 3.25 qts will come out - replace plug refill with 3.25 of dexron 3
check hot & running
the filter is inside trans case- I've not heard of changing it normally- it's vertical I believe & my guess is sheds debris on shutdown (engineered? imagine that)

I repeated (4) times in a month looks/smells good 151k miles

[CrackBox06]

Thanks bud. I just got done taking it apart. I got brave and pulled the pan off the front side. Nothing in there but the valve body. So I had the privelage of re-gasketing that pan back on. Let me tell you how much fun that was cleaning the surfaces. But I called my local dealer today and they said the filter is called a "strainer" and lists for $97.33. Said it's not a service item. So like you said... change it hot (I did find the drain plug!) and flush it a few times. Appreciate the help bud.

[IhaveaDopeGT]

I'm glad to have found this, I just changed oil on my G/F's 06 Ario and am in the process of doing more maintenance, looks like I'll tackle the trans fluid this weekend.

[garlanduke]

Greg, are you saying I should do this myself rather than taking it to the fast oil change place and having them "flush" the system and change the flluid (for about a $100)? Cos, if you are...that'd be swell!

[blackboyii]

How do you flush it? and how many miles do I have to change the A/T oil??? I have a 2007 Aerio with about 16kmi on it

[jljbtm]

Hello,
I'm in the process of draining the trans oil today in our 03 Aerio (now at 100,000) Had it done once at the local trans shop (50,000) and they say its just an oil change (no filter) So its just like changing the oil except no filter. Just wait till you need to replace a ball joint !

[Jeff L.]

On the newer Aerio transmissions there is a 15/16" bolt on the side of the bottom of the tranny case. Just drain and fill it. Takes 2.5liters to fill.

The older Aerios take a 10mm allen key socket to get the plug out.

[Jeff L.]

I love how Suzuki transmissions can have the most disgusting black gross fluid in them and they still work just perfect ahha.

[lumpylarry]

Originally Posted by garlanduke

Greg, are you saying I should do this myself rather than taking it to the fast oil change place and having them "flush" the system and change the flluid (for about a $100)? Cos, if you are...that'd be swell!

if you're just doing a drain & fill, you should do it about 4 times in the span of a month in order to get the fluid looking clean again. the trans hold 7-8 litres of fluid, and the pump and fil only replaces 3.
a flush uses a machine that hooks up to the trans cooler lines and replaced all the fluid in one shot. although its a little more expensive. saves alot of time..