I was just wonderin when tranny fluid was supposed to be changed and where the drain plug and filler is at on the 03 Mitsubishi Lancer...it has 29500 miles and i think its needin a change...thanks for any help

 

You're right on. Trans is supposed to be serviced every 30,000 miles. Unfortunately, I'm at 25,000 so it might be a few months before I attempt it. But if you do it, post how easy/difficult it was.

 

it's easy. i've done it already. didnt change fluid til 60k cuz i didnt know (doh!) when i get back home i'll take pics of where the plugs are. the filler plug could be seen from the engine bay if you have a cai down low on the right side. it's a little obvious. the drain plug is a large flat hex parallel to the driver side wheel on the bottom of the tranny.

 

when you do it like that you're only changing 5 quarts of the tranny's fluid. if you really want to flush the tranny get it done at a shop by professionals with a tranny fluid flushing apparatus. what it does is intercept the fluid line right under the front bumper. then the mechanic runs the car, the new fluid naturally flows through the transmission, and pushes out the old fluid, into the same apparatus. this way all 10 quarts of fluid get changed. if you dont beleiev me that its the better way talk to a mechanic.

 

If you have an automatic transmission, that might be the route to go. I think the other posts relate to a manual transmission Lancer. It only holds 2.2 quarts of gear oil 75-90w. Remove the plug and let it drain, then plug it an refill through the vent plug.

By the way, the auto holds 7.7 quarts of Dextron fluid. Mitsu service manual states:

A/T FLUID REPLACEMENT M1231001000179
If you have an A/T fluid changer, use this changer to replace
the A/T fluid. If you do not have an A/T fluid changer, replace
the A/T fluid by the following procedure.
1. Disconnect the hose shown in the illustration which
connects the transaxle and the oil cooler (inside the
radiator). Place a container under the hose to collect the
discharge.
CAUTION
The engine should be stopped within one minute after it is
started. If all the A/T fluid has drained out before then, the
engine should be stopped at that point.
2. Start the engine and let the A/T fluid drain out.
(Running conditions: "N" range with engine idling)
Approximately 3.5 dm3 (3.7 quarts) of A/T fluid should
be removed.
3. Remove the drain plug from the bottom of the transaxle case
to drain the A/T fluid.
Approximately 2.0 dm3 (2.1 quarts) of A/T fluid should
be removed.
4. Install the drain plug with a new gasket, and tighten it to the
specified torque.
Tightening torque: 32 ± 2 N⋅m (24 ± 1 ft-lb)
CAUTION
Stop pouring if the full volume of A/T fluid can not be
added.
5. Add new A/T fluid (DIAMOND ATF SP III or equivalent)
through the oil filter tube.
Approximately 5.5 dm3 (5.8 quarts) of A/T fluid should
be added.
6. Repeat the procedure in Step 2. (to pump out the rest of the
contaminated A/T fluid)
7. Add new A/T fluid (DIAMOND ATF SP III or equivalent)
through the oil filter tube.
Approximately 3.5 dm3 (3.7 quarts) of A/T fluid should
be added.
NOTE: Check for contamination or a burnt odor. If the A/T
fluid is still contaminated or burnt, repeat Steps 6 and 7
before proceeding to Step 8.
8. Reconnect the hose which was disconnected in step 1
above, and firmly replace the dipstick.
9. Start the engine and run it at idle for one to two minutes.
10.Move the selector lever through all positions, and then move
it to the "N" position.
11.Check that the A/T fluid level is at the "COLD" mark on the
dipstick. If the level is less than this, add A/T fluid.
12.Drive the vehicle until the A/T fluid temperature rises to the
normal operating temperature [70 − 80°C (158 − 176°F)],
and then check the A/T fluid level again. The A/T fluid level
must be at the "HOT" mark.

Hope this helps.

Jason

 

Next time you guys change your tranny fluid (manual) try out Red Line's MTL Gear oil (MTL is their 75w90 oil).... It works fantastically!!! After about 1k miles I began noticing a HUGE improvement in my shifting, it's so smooth now you wouldn't believe it.... This will also attribute to a small power gain because it's full synthetic.... This stuff rocks, and it only costs about $30, and 20 minutes of your time.... You can find it on Ebay if your standard speed shop doesn't carry it.... I chose Red Line because their gear oils have been doing very well under severe tests.... James

 

got my redline from optauto.com...gonna change it tomorrow i believe...

 

Sweet... let me know if you need any help with the how to.... James

 

After hearing recommendations from Lawrence and now James, I think I'll go with that brand when I do my trans fluid in a couple months.

 

Check this out, here is a post in a forum I visit a lot... the oil analysis site..... They are referring to Red Line (RL)..... Gear oil....

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...;f=16;t=000610

 

Well...i found out what the problem was...because i have 195/50/15 series tires on my lancer...i overloaded the spider gears inside the transfer case...and consequently shot part of the gear through the bottom of the transfer case...so no paint job any time soon...to fix w/performance gears...$995.00...but thanks for all the help...

 

How would lower profile tires have anything to do with that? All you did was make the diameter equivilant to the Lancer ES, which uses the same tranny. I think someone's feeding you a load of horse $hit and doesn't wanna to warranty work.

 

Is that cause from your Mitsu dealer? I don't buy it. Changing aspect ratio will not cause undo wear on your transaxle except that it will turn a little more revolutions since the tire is not as tall. Gears don't just blow a case without a better reason than that.

If it is warranty, get a second opinion.

Jason

 

aight anyone here have a how-to for me to read? im at 30k and need this done. any suggestions on tranny fluid that i can get at the store and safety tips?

 

Check out my post above about Red Line MTL Gear Oil... You won't regret it... Ebay has it if you can't find it locally... There are some pictures posted regarding the drain bolt and fill bolt... I used a funnel with a short piece of clear vinyl tubing.... fill it with about 2.5 qts, then go really slow... when it starts leaking out past the bottom of the threads of the fill hole you're done. Just wait until it's done draining out of the fill hole, then replace the bolt and tighten.... A few hundred miles later your shifting will be so much smoother it's unreal... Email me if you need any more answers about the Red Line MTL Oil..... Just over $30 shipped on Ebay...

 

aight thanks for the tips but just in case i dunkow wehre the plugs are could someone show some pics..ive looked but couldnt find any pics. oh and jsut in case autozone soesnt have that red line oil could anyone recommend any other brands?

 

If you'd like I can find out where I ordered it from for my Dad... He got it the next day, and I think he paid $30 total with shipping.... You at least have to get a synthetic... You're local auto parts store will not usually have a really good brand... You need to look for a local speed shop, or you can go to Red Line Oils webpage, and do a dealer search, they will tell you where you can buy it in your area.... I'm harping on Red Line so much because they always do really well in the Gear Oil tests.... James

 

ok i went and got the mobile 1 synthetic 75-90 since i couldnt find the red line anywhere and dun feel like waiting fot it in the mail. is this safe to use? would synthetic do anything to harm the car? and are these the correct fill/drain plugs?

 

Synthetic is perfectly fine to use in the car, and considering how good Mobil1 oil is, I'm sure their gear oil will be fine... I'm assuming we're not speaking of racing applications here, so you shouldn't notice any difference.
What drain and fill plugs are you speaking of?? Did you find some pictures of them?? I suppose I could break out the camera tonight and get some pics of mine if you'd like...
BTW, does the Mobil1 gear oil have additives for the synchronizers?? Just curious because Red Line offers two different types of gear oil in that weight, one with the additive, and one without..... James

 

i have a pic just dunknow how to post it

 

can you email them to me??

jdeaton@titan.com

-OR-

thedeatons@hotmail.com

 

The Lancer doesn't have any synchronizers. The Evo does, though.

 

ok sent to titan. it doesnt mention anything about additives for synchros but does say "exclusive of additive carrier oil" and thats it.

 

could someone please show me the drain/fill holes for the tranny please. i think i put theoil in the wrong hole

 

someon show me damn it!!!!

 

here ya go...


raise up the car. remove the drain plug. drain fluid. replace drain plug. either use a funnel with a long tube or a tranny fluid pump(way more easier to use) and replace fluid in filler hole. replace filler plug, lower, and you're done.

i have mobil 1 syn in mine. it works fine. its seemed actually quieter.

 

aight i did it, but hey rhyzin how long did it take to settle in cuz mine still grinds a lil. should i give it a week to set in or something?

 

i dunno. i never had a grinding thing. the car actually just got quieter all together. my rooommates said so and they didn't even know i changed the fluid. maybe cuz i changed the fluid at 60k(doh).

as for grinding, i wouldn't be revving it too high for a day or 2. dunno if changing the fluid would help anything cuz i didn't have that problem. you just drained the case so you should wait a while for the oil to get through all the lil nooks n stuff.

 

The Lancer does have a synchronized transmission. Most, if not all modern cars do. If it didn't, double-clutching would be required for upshifts as well as downshifts in order to have the gears mesh without wear(grinding).

Jason

 

I just changed mine with Castrol syntec 75w90 and its like night and day. Smoother and quieter.

 

Well heres an update on the repair progress...after the car has been garaged for nearly 2 months...Mitusbishi is actually thinkin bout fixin it now under warranty...basically i called the corporate offices and told them on how the service guy at the dealership was bein a punk because of my car lookin like it does...(body kit, lowered, intake, exhaust, wing, taillights, c/f hood...more)...the corporate office said that the car bein lowered DOES NOT void the tranny warranty and that they should fix it....so they had some district supervisor come down and all I'm waitin on is his ok...sorry for the long post but im glad to get this news so that my car can get outta my body shop and into the paint shop...ill keep yall posted on progress on the custom body work and tranny work...

 

Rhyzin, did you ever get pics of the drain plug and filler cap? I might be changing my trans fluid soon, and just thought it would help for peace of mind.

 

I got those to him a little while ago.... I have them at home if you need them... Let me know... Any thoughts on your fluid brand yet?? Mine is still like a hot knife through butter.... I can't believe what a difference $30 made...

 

pic is on page 2 somewhere in the middle.

 

Lancerboy not sure if they got them out there...but give a call to somethin like the better business buereau(sp)... don't let them ****s screw ya wit some bs... any who, to make this relevant... Redline Tranny Oil workin nicely...

 

so it's 2.2 quarts, right? I'm going to see if Pep Boys or Kragan carry the Redline oil. If not, does anyone have any other suggestions? Preferably something more reliable than ebay. I need to do this before school starts in Feb.

 

Seriously doubt you're gonna find it at a local auto parts store.... You could try redline's online retail location, or you could do like I did for my dad, and go on Ebay, find Red Line products, and you'll see a vendor selling a bunch of different products from Red Line. I emailed him, and he gave me his phone number, and when I called I found out he was a shop in the midwest... He gave me four quarts of MT90 (what the lancer needs) for $30 shipped and believe it or not, my dad got it the next day..... Anyway, hope this helps, James

 

so I need 4 quarts?

 

OOPS!!! My mistake, you'll need three quarts.... sorry about that, and good catch.... I had half a quart left over at the end..... I have never shifted a smoother tranny than the one in my Lancer OZ..... believe it or not.....

 

Thanks. That's why I'm going to use the Redline oil for this one. At about 25k miles, my syncro (I think) started making a whine when downshifting to 2nd, which I do when on a track or canyons. So this should help clear that up.