How to Put Transmission Fluid in an Isuzu Rodeo
by Grace MclainTransmission fluid is an essential lubricant for any automobile. It keeps the transmission's moving parts lubricated and cooled. But transmission fluid breaks down over time, and when it does it cannot protect the moving parts as it should. Isuzu recommends you change the fluid in your Rodeo's transmission after 50,000 to 75,000 miles of wear. Whether it's time for a transmission fluid change or not, you need to periodically check your Rodeo's transmission fluid level and add fluid if necessary. Some Isuzu Rodeos are equipped with automatic transmissions and other Isuzu Rodeos have manual transmissions. The procedure for checking or changing the transmission fluid in each differs.
Step 1
Park the truck on a level surface and set the emergency brake. Leave the engine running. The transmission fluid levels in Isuzu Rodeos has to be checked with the truck running regardless of what kind of transmission they have.
Step 2
Crawl under the passenger side of the Rodeo and locate the drain plug. If the transmission is a manual transmission, the fill plug will be on the very back of the transmission. There will be two plugs on the bottom of the transmission. The drain plug is in the middle of the transmission on the bottom. The fill plug is about 6 inches to the rear of the drain plug; it will be inside a recessed groove on the rear of the oil pan.
Step 3
Remove the fill plug on the rear passenger side of the transmission with the ratchet and 7/8-inch socket. Turn the fill bolt counterclockwise to loosen and remove the plug. If no transmission fluid comes out of the recessed fill hole, then the transmission fluid level is low.
Step 4
Add the transmission fluid by sticking a long plastic tube inside the recessed hole and using a transmission fluid pump on the other end of the plastic hose. Fill the transmission with the engine running until fluid runs out the recessed fill hole. Remove the plastic hose. Reinsert and tighten the fill plug. If the Isuzu Rodeo has an automatic transmission, you will check the transmission fluid level with the dipstick. If adding fluid is necessary, you'll add fluid through the filler neck where the dipstick seats.
Step 5
Locate the transmission dipstick on the passenger side of the engine bay. The transmission dipstick should have a red pull handle on it. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it fully into the filler neck, pull it out again and check the fluid level on the dipstick. There is a "Full" mark on the dipstick and an "Add" mark below the full mark.
Step 6
Put the longneck funnel into the dipstick filler hole and add Mercon-3 automatic transmission fluid a half-quart at a time until the transmission fluid level reaches the full mark. The engine has to be running to get an accurate fluid reading on the transmission dipstick.
References
- "Haynes Repair Manual: Complete Repair Guide: 1991-2002 Isuzu Rodeo"; Haynes; 2004
Tips
- Isuzu Recommends only Mercon-3 Transmission Fluid for both the manual and automatic transmissions.
- It takes 9.2 quarts of transmission fluid to fill a completely empty Isuzu Rodeo automatic transmission. This figure includes the fluid in the torque converter.
Things You'll Need
- Ratchet
- 7/8-inch socket
- Transmission fluid pump
- Long plastic tube
- Long neck funnel
- Dexron-3 automatic transmission fluid
Warnings
- Always wear safety glasses when working around transmission fluid.
Writer Bio
Grace Mclain has been writing professionally since 1998. Her articles have appeared on eHow.com, Answerbag.com and LIVESTRONG.COM, and she specializes in automotive and business topics. McIain has a professional writing certificate from JB Hunt in Little Rock, Ark.
