Backed up my car onto some ramps for the first time today, and I realized the auto transmission gasket is old and dried up. The fluid is seeping out, but not dripping. I'm going to drop the pan next week and change the gasket, filter, and replace the fluid (only what naturally drains out, I was told a flush is bad for the car) and was wondering if the car needs to be level to drain out as much fluid as possible. If so, I'll need to take my car to a shop where they have a lift. I can only put mine up on ramps., which raises the back up about 1.5 feet.

[This message has been edited by huracan2015 (edited 05-12-2014).]

Rear on ramps is what you want for this job. Loosen all the automatic transaxle pan bolts by starting with the ones toward the front of the car. Work your way around both directions until the forward part of the pan is leaning downward. Let the fluid flow out like this. As it gets slower, loosen the bolts more to allow the pan to hang lower.

NEVER,NEVER flush an automatic transmission! this will often loosen up small particles than can ruin your transmission

.. the fluid is not all removed when you change A/T fluid....In a car you plan to keep ?? a good idea to change it again at 10,000 miles,so the transmission will go 200,000 miles

quote Originally posted by uhlanstan: NEVER,NEVER flush an automatic transmission! this will often loosen up small particles than can ruin your transmission .. the fluid is not all removed when you change A/T fluid....In a car you plan to keep ?? a good idea to change it again at 10,000 miles,so the transmission will go 200,000 miles

That's exactly what I have heard. don't worry, I won't do it. Just a drain and fill.

See my Cave, Automatic
Get's most old oil w/o flushing.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

Ive actually seen transmission shops drain fluid out of an older car, keep it and strain it, and reuse it to keep the trans from failing. Everyone Ive known, including reputable shops dont recommend a flush or changing fluid on a car that hasnt had them regularly before. If you have had it changed every 30-40K since new, then it wont hurt. Few people ever do that though. Im one of those thats had trans go out after a fluid change and dont do it anymore. Its a sealed unit so I drive it till it quits even if its 200K.