Here is my problem as I mention before. Shifting problems when going from 3rd to 4th in a Automatic it seems to jerk and then when I'm coming to a stop it pulls/jerks when I get to 20mph. What do you think the problem might be? :mad::(

Change transmission fluid, using Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

Thanks a bunch Texas Grease Monkey.. Are you online everyday? I'm going to Change the Tranny Fluid and then I'll keep my fingers crossed. From Charlene

Yes.

I helped a friend change the transmission fluid and filter in a 1995 F-150 about two months ago. It had 185,000 miles on it and was not well maintained. You could barely even feel the transmission shift, prior to working on it. After dropping and cleaning the pan, draining the torque converter, installing a new filter, and refilling with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF, it shifted like a new truck. My buddy couldn't believe the difference.

Hopefully, you'll experience the same results. Up and downshifts are sooo much better with synthetic ATF.

It's best to drain all of the old fluid. This link should help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post552241

Cool I sure hope this works out for me. I've already changed the Shifting Solenoid thinking this might be the problem and then I just changed the VSS thinking that might be the problem but no luck.. Okay now do you know where the tranny plug is on this? I am a female that's why so many questions...

Should be on the passenger's side of the transaxle. Likely a 3/8" plug. Be sure to change the fluid, after the car reaches normal operating temperature. This provides a faster and more complete drain, where dirt doesn't adhere to the sides of the transmission. After refilling, be sure to run the gear shift selector through each gear, pausing five seconds each time. Check final fluid level, when the transmission is hot and in Park. Remove transmission dip stick, prior to removing the drain plug.

Once you solve this problem and determine the car is a "keeper," start using Mobil 1 5W-30 in the engine. This is particularly important for single women, to prevent major engine/transmission problems.

I'm going to give it a shot on Friday since I have the day off. Oh by the way does the mileage matter on this vehicle? It has 246,000, but we just put another tranny in it that has 100,000 on it. When we got the car the tranny was shot, so we got a used tranny from a friend and had it installed. So I'm going to stop at Wal-Mart on my way home from work today and get the Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. Oh yeah by the way Happy Thanksgiving. Any other advice is always welcome.

Mileage should not be an issue.

Be sure to change all of the brake fluid--very important. Here are some recommended preventive maintenance items:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post219991

Find out if your transmission pan has a screen inside that needs cleaning.

If it has a screen inside of it does it need to come out? If so this means dealing with the tranny.. I hope not then it turns into $$$. I hope by just changing the fluid and the brake fluid will do the job.

Just remove the drain plug (3/8" ratchet) and drain the fluid. Tighten drain plug to 36 lb-ft. Skip cleaning the screen.

Only change the brake fluid, if you know how to properly bleed brakes. It's a very important item to do--I just don't want you doing it, unless you have help.

You got it, I know how to bleed brakes, I've done those before and actually we haven't done anything with the brakes on this car since we got it. This car did sit for a while too. What is the purpose of bleeding the brakes?

Eliminate moisture, air, prevent vapor lock, and ensure brakes work really well. It also replaces the lubricity of the fluid, insuring the calipers and wheel cylinders fuction properly and last a long time.

When you remove the transmission drain plug, you will only drain half the fluid. The other half will remain in the torque converter.

WOW all that huh... Okay I will let you know the outcome of the job. Maybe I'll email you on Friday when all is done. Not unless I have something else to ask you today.

So only half of the fluid will come out then and the rest will stay in the torque converter or do I need to stop it with something?

It should be an easy job. If you want to change all of the fluid, read the link I gave you earlier. Otherwise, change it now and change it again later.

I didn't get it, not all of the fluid will come out? The fluid remaining in the tranny will be what's in the torque? So the link says to clean out tranny pan with brake cleaner and so on. Will do... I'm signed on all day just in case you need to let me know something else.

Yes, the remaining fluid will be in the torque converter.

I don't think your transmission has a pan. Therefore, remove the drain plug and drain as much fluid as possible. Then, replace the drain plug and add 2.5 quarts (initial fill) through the fill tube. Disconnect the transmission return line from the bottom of the radiator, start the engine and pump out an additional 3.9 quarts of fluid. For each quart pumped out, add a quart to the fill tube.

Initial fill: 2.5 quarts
Total fill: 6.4 quarts

As you can see, removing the drain plug will only remove 2.5 quarts of old fluid--3.9 quarts of dirty fluid will remain in the torque converter and transmission lines.

One final thought. Remove the negative battery cable overnight. This will reset the ECM and force the computer to relearn all of the proper shift points for how you drive. Do this after you change the transmission fluid.

I knew you would think of something else.. You don't know how much I appreciate your help in this matter.. I'll be around until 3:30pm California time.

Hello there I did the tranny change and I drained 3 quarts out of it. It seems to be a little better, but it still jerks a little, I'm thinking once I change the fluid again then all of the old fluid will come out and it should do better. So when should I change the tranny fluid again? That stuff is expensive here $7.00 a quart.

Drain it again in a month or so. Give the detergents in the Mobil 1 a chance to clean things out. Remember to disconnect the negative battery terminal overnight and force the ECM to relearn shift points.

I disconnected the terminal cable overnight, so do I do this every time I drain the tranny fluid?

I would. Did it seem to help?

It did help some, but I figured there is still old tranny fluid in it, and when I took off the plug it was really dirty so I cleaned it up.

If the old fluid was brown, black or smelled burned, then I would drain it again right away.

Mobil 1 might be expensive, but it's the cheapest thing you can do to get maximum life, performance, and gas mileage from the transmission. Obviously, it's best to use it when the vehicle is new.

It was still redish when I drained it.

I would let it go, then, for a month or two and see if the shifting steadily improves.

I know that's why I got it. It was very hard to find too. At Wal-mart they only had like 3 quarts in stock and then at Autozone they only had a few too.. Must be high in demand too.. Oh yeah would you happen to know what kind of gear fluid I would use for a 1998 Saturn SL1 Manual tranny 5 speed? I'm going to do this car next. Mind you I drive like 160 miles round trip to work and home so I do rack in the miles.

My son's wife drives a Saturn Coupe in Los Angeles and we use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in it.

Is this Saturn a Automatic or Manual? I have a Manual 5 speed. So wouldn't it be called gear oil or is it called something else?

Her's is a manual 5-speed. I used to have a 1992 Saturn and it also used ATF in the manual transmission. It's common these days for ATF to be used in manual trannys--it improves gas mileage (lower viscosity) and they shift easier. It's super simple to change the transaxle fluid on Saturns.

Where do I fill it back up at? I guess I would just drain it like I drained the other. I thought since it's a manual tranny I would do something different.

There was a red dipstick on my Saturn. Lift it up to unlock it a just pull it out. It was located on the driver's side of the transaxle. Use a long-neck funnel to refill (likely just under two quarts).

If you are putting that kind of mileage on your Saturn each day, be sure to use 5W-30 Mobil 1 in the engine. Change it every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Actually I just had the oil changed and I did use 5 -30 but it wasn't Mobil 1, so on my next oil change I'll switch to Mobil 1. I did the oil change on Sunday for the Saturn.

I'm proud of you. You are doing the right thing. Using top-quality lubricants helps you avoid the big, unexpected expense in life (surprise engine or tranmission repair). It allows you to get ahead. It's penny-wise and pound foolish to use conventional lubricants, instead of synthetics.

Wow, I work at a Law Firm here in Menlo Park, California as a Records Supervisor. The Traffic in LA a nightmare, it's a good thing they have you to help them out.