Trans Oil change

[Doug Falk]

I have a 2003 9-5 Aero. I cannot find as to how often to change the trans fluid. I have about 70,000 on the car at this time. Runs good, however sometimes when coming to stop and then quickly starting out, the trans will hesitate on a shift, allowing the engine to rev up. The fluid level is up to norm.

Thanks,

Doug

[philip :)]

Hey Doug, make sure you're using Saab 3309 - mineral oil based fluid.
WIS says change at 90,000 miles. for an 03 95. look for any metal
shavings in the fluid and smell if it's burnt at all. Changing the
fluid would be a good start.... but I wouldn't hold out on that fixing
the issue.

phil

[philip :)]

EDIT: I just read somewhere that there is an updated service interval
of 60k. :)

On Dec 26, 6:16 pm, Doug Falk <douglasf...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Drew Price]

Is your car an automatic or manual transmission?  I can't remember....

If it's a manual trans there is no specified change interval.  For cars driven hard, about every 20-30k is good practice, or when it starts to feel a little stiff, especially when the car is cold.  Only use the SAAB fluid fromt the dealer like Phillip says, we call it the '3309' fluid, but the 3309 number was dropped from the part number a few revisions ago, but whatever part number comes up for the manual trans in your car is correct, it should be about $18/litre, the fluid is red in a grey bottle.  Total capacity when you drain it is about 2.5 litres, a little more.  To change once, buy 3 litres.  There is a writeup somewhere on SaabCentral about how to set the level of the fluid if it's a manual.

If it's an automatic, the change interval is technically every 60k miles, I recommend every 30k especially for Aeros and especially if you drive the car hard because it's cheap, and can avoid some hesitation and slip issues.  The good news is you can buy the fluid cheap from a Toyota dealership - the 5-speed automatic internals were designed by Toyota/Lexus' supply company Aisin-Warner.  You need to buy the Type-IV ('type four') fluid, it comes in a black bottle with a yellow & red label, should be about $6/litre.  You will need about 4 litres to just drain and fill it back up, about 8 to do it twice.  Total capacity is around 9 litres, only about half drains out when you pull the drain plug.  Set the final fluid level with the transmission completely warmed up, and idling with the shifter in 'P.'  If the fluid is still cold it will read artificially low.  DO NOT overfill the fluid above the top of the full mark on the dipstick.


Drew

760.831.9939 (m)

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[Doug Falk]

Great! Thanks once again. For the record, my car has an auto.

Doug

[Doug Falk]

By the way, is the drain plug pretty obvious?

Doug

[Doug Falk]

Drew,

I am getting this change this week. Is this a synthetic? I understand I should go with a synthetic.

Thanks as always.

Doug

On Mon, Dec 26, 2011 at 8:04 PM, Drew Price <drewp...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Doug Falk]

Also, how about changing the filter? Where is it? Easy to get to?

Thanks.

On Mon, Dec 26, 2011 at 8:04 PM, Drew Price <drewp...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Drew Price]

Same as my earlier response applies:

If it's an automatic, the change interval is technically every 60k miles, I recommend every 30k especially for Aeros and especially if you drive the car hard because it's cheap, and can avoid some hesitation and slip issues.  The good news is you can buy the fluid cheap from a Toyota dealership - the 5-speed automatic internals were designed by Toyota/Lexus' supply company Aisin-Warner.  You need to buy the Type-IV ('type four') fluid, it comes in a black bottle with a yellow & red label, should be about $6/litre.  You will need about 4 litres to just drain and fill it back up, about 8 to do it twice.  Total capacity is around 9 litres, only about half drains out when you pull the drain plug.  Set the final fluid level with the transmission completely warmed up, and idling with the shifter in 'P.'  If the fluid is still cold it will read artificially low.  DO NOT overfill the fluid above the top of the full mark on the dipstick.

The filter baskets in the automatics are internal to the transmission and are not replaceable except when rebuilding the transmission.



Drew

760.831.9939 (m)

[Doug Falk]

Hi Drew,

Do you recoomend change 4 liters, drive a bit, then change 4 liters again? I am guessing this would probably effectively drain let's say 6 of the 8 total liters?

Thanks,

Doug

On Mon, Dec 26, 2011 at 8:04 PM, Drew Price <drewp...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Drew Price]

Correct.  You can also just let it idle in park for a few minutes after the initial change, don't even take it off the jack stands.


Drew

760.831.9939 (m)

[Doug Falk]

Hi Drew,

So I am looking under the car and I see two bolts that I see that can in my mind be possible transmission drain plugs. One is nearly a 1" bolt and the other is about a 1/2-5/8 (my mind works in english). Which one would be the proper bolt to drain the transmission?

Thanks,

Doug

[Drew Price]

The big one that's parallel to the ground, it's 27mm I believe.

Drew

760 831 9939 (m)

Sent from my iDroidPhoneBerry

[Doug Falk]

HI Drew,

Ok, it screw in parallel and the head is perpendicular to the ground?

Thanks as always.

Doug.

[Drew Price]

Yup. The bolt head points at the passenger front wheel.

Drew

760 831 9939 (m)

Sent from my iDroidPhoneBerry

[Doug Falk]

Hi Drew,

So the threads are pointing toward the passenger wheel and the head is on the driver side wheel? Sorry to ask for so much detail, I just know what problems can occur if an improper bolt is removed from an automatic transmission.

Thanks, as always.

Doug

[Doug Falk]

Hi Drew,

By the way, I ran across this in the SAAB's service manual, it describes exactly the conditions and effects of my problem. Have you had any experience with this problem?

Thanks,

[Doug Falk]

Boy, now I look at the bolt again and it is opposite of what I described. So now your answer makes sense.

Thanks!

Doug