How to Change the Transmission Oil on a Ford Laser
by Kevin MclainThe Ford Laser transmission system comes with transmission oil that keeps the gears and seal lubricated. The transmission oil also prevents the gears and the seals from heat friction. When the engine is running and the transmission is engaged, the transmission oil circulates throughout the entire gearbox of the transmission to protect all of the internal parts. Ford recommends changing the transmission oil every 30,000 to 40,000 miles to prevent the oil from breaking down. Once the oil breaks down, it will not be able to protect all of the internal parts as it should.
Step 1
Park the Ford Laser on a level surface and turn the motor off. Engage the parking brake.
Step 2
Jack the front end of the Ford Laser up and place a jack stand under the proper front jacking points. Lower the car onto the top of the stands and leave the jack in place.
Step 3
Slide under the Aveo and locate the round gear box connected to the back of the engine. The gear box has a metal pipe coming out of each end. The drain plug is on the bottom of the gear box and the fill plug is in the pipe that is coming out of the rear of the gear box. Slide the fluid catch pan underneath the drain pan.
Step 4
Insert the end of the 1/2-inch drive ratchet into the square hole of the fill plug. Loosen and remove the fill plug. Place the fill plug in a safe area.
Step 5
Loosen and remove the drain plug on the bottom of the gear box with the 1/2-inch drive ratchet. Set the drain plug on the surface and wait for all of the gear oil to drain out of the gear box. Screw the drain plug back in and tighten with the ratchet.
Step 6
Fill the fluid pump up with the gear oil. Slide the end of the plastic tube into the gear box oil fill hole. Pump three quarts of gear into the gear box. The oil should be dripping out of the fill hole after three quarts.
Step 7
Remove the plastic tube from the fill hole and screw the fill plug back into the pipe. Tighten the fill plug with the ratchet.
Step 8
Crank the engine and hold the brake pedal down. Shift the gear lever through all of the gears so that the gear oil can bond to all of the internal parts inside of the gear box. Turn the engine off.
Step 9
Jack the front of the Ford Laser back up and remove the jack stands. Lower the car to the ground and remove the jack.
References
- " "Haynes Repair Manual: Ford Laser and Mazda 323 Australia (1981-1989)"; L. Alan LeDoux and John Haynes; 1990
Tips
- Ford Lasers built before 1982 does not have a drain plug on the bottom of the gear box. The gear oil has to be drained from the speedo cable connection on the side of the gear box.
- 75/90 gear oil can be used in the Ford Laser gear box.
Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Fluid catch pan
- 1/2-inch drive ratchet
- 3-quarts of gear oil
- Fluid pump with long plastic hose
Warnings
- Use extreme caution when working under a car that is on jack stands.
Writer Bio
Kevin Mclain has more than 20 years of automotive, home improvement and landscaping experience. He has been writing for various online publications since 2002. Mclain has U.S. Army certification in automotive maintenance and repair, among more than 15 additional certifications related to the automotive field.
