🔧 Impala - Transmission Fluid & Filter Change

On your Impala, a proper transmission fluid service is done by removing the transmission pan, replacing the filter, and refilling with the correct fluid. This refreshes the fluid and helps the transmission shift smoothly and run cooler.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be very hot; let the car cool if it was just driven.
• ⚠️ Keep the engine OFF while removing the pan; never crawl under a running vehicle.
• ⚠️ Clean spills immediately—ATF is slippery and a fire/skin irritant.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension set
• 10mm socket
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Plastic scraper
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Funnel with long spout
• Measuring container (quart-marked)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission filter kit (filter + pan gasket) - Qty: 1
• Automatic transmission fluid (DEXRON-VI) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Transmission filter neck seal (if not included with filter) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Raise the front of the car with a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands.
• Place a drain pan under the transmission pan (it will spill from the edges as you loosen bolts).
• Wear gloves—ATF gets everywhere.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the transmission pan to drain fluid

• Position the drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the transmission pan.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the pan bolts a few turns.
• Leave a few bolts started on one end, and loosen the opposite end more so the pan tilts and drains into the drain pan.
• Go slow—once it starts, it pours.

Step 2: Remove the pan

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive extension to remove the remaining bolts while holding the pan with your other hand.
• Lower the pan carefully into the drain pan.
• Spray the pan clean using brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop towels.

Step 3: Remove and replace the transmission filter

• Locate the filter above the pan area and pull it straight down by hand. If it’s stubborn, gently wiggle it while pulling.
• Make sure the old filter seal comes out with the filter. If it stayed in the transmission, carefully remove it using a plastic scraper.
• Install the new filter seal (if separate), then push the new filter in firmly by hand until fully seated.

Step 4: Clean the gasket surfaces

• Use a plastic scraper to remove any old gasket material from the transmission case and pan.
• Finish cleaning with brake cleaner spray on a shop towel.
• Do not gouge the aluminum surface—keep the scraper flat.

Step 5: Reinstall the pan with the new gasket

• Place the new gasket on the pan and hold it in place.
• Start all pan bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten the bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern using a 10mm socket.
• Final tighten using a torque wrench (inch-pound) (this is a small torque wrench for low-torque fasteners): Torque to 89 in-lb (10 Nm).

Step 6: Refill the transmission

• Lower the car back to level ground using the floor jack.
• Remove the transmission dipstick and insert a funnel with long spout into the dipstick tube.
• Pour in DEXRON-VI using a measuring container (quart-marked), starting with 5 quarts.

Step 7: Set the fluid level correctly

• With the parking brake set and foot on the brake, start the engine and let it idle.
• Move the shifter slowly through all gears (P-R-N-D-3-2-1 if equipped), pausing 2 seconds in each, then return to Park.
• With the engine idling on level ground, check the dipstick, then add fluid in small amounts using the funnel with long spout until it reaches the correct range.
• Don’t overfill—add in 1/4–1/2 quart steps.

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✅ After Repair

• Look underneath for leaks around the pan gasket with the engine running.
• Take a short 10–15 minute drive, then recheck the dipstick level (engine idling, on level ground) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used ATF properly (most parts stores accept it for recycling).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$350 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $55-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $125-$230 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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