If you change it yourself, make sure you use the fluid recommended for your year and trans type. The removal of the trans pan is relatively easy but make sure that ALL gasket material has been removed before putting it back together and don't over-tighten the pan bolts. If any leak when you have finished, then tighten those up a bit more. Never use any type of sealer on the gasket as if it gets into the transmission it can cause major problems. The difference between steering fluid and trans fluid is that trans fluid has a ton of additives to prevent foaming, varnish formation and also has friction modifiers that affect the way the clutches engage.Different vehiles use different types of fluid as they use that additive package to get the kind of softer or harsher engagement necessary to make their unit behave the way it was designed. No one would want their Cadillac or Lincoln transmission shifting like an old "Muscle Car" and, that could break parts that were not designed to be slammed like that. Steering fluid has a totally different additive package and is more closely related to hydraulic fluid used in jacks and other hydraulic equipment.
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If you change it yourself, make sure you use the fluid recommended for your year and trans type.
The removal of the trans pan is relatively easy but make sure that ALL gasket material has been removed before putting it back together and don't over-tighten the pan bolts. If any leak when you have finished, then tighten those up a bit more. Never use any type of sealer on the gasket as if it gets into the transmission it can cause major problems.
The difference between steering fluid and trans fluid is that trans fluid has a ton of additives to prevent foaming, varnish formation and also has friction modifiers that affect the way the clutches engage.Different vehiles use different types of fluid as they use that additive package to get the kind of softer or harsher engagement necessary to make their unit behave the way it was designed. No one would want their Cadillac or Lincoln transmission shifting like an old "Muscle Car" and, that could break parts that were not designed to be slammed like that.
Steering fluid has a totally different additive package and is more closely related to hydraulic fluid used in jacks and other hydraulic equipment.