How to Change the Transmission Fluid and Filter in a Jeep Grand Cherokee

Changing the fluid and filter in your Grand Cherokee is necessary every 10,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on what you can afford, how you run your vehicle, and if you're extra careful about keeping your transmission in prime running condition for many thousands of miles. If you're not certain about performing this job, I recommend finding an experience friend to help. Changing a transmission filter is not difficult, but you shouldn't go at it blindly if you can help it.

Step 1

Put your car on ramps or up on a lift, but never jack it up with a simple road jack and expect it to be safe; you will die if the jack is accidentally kicked or if it fails.

Step 2

Get a socket set and wrench, bottle of transmission fluid, gasket sealant, drain pan, funnel, and paper towels or rags all ready; you don't want to hunt these down after getting the pan off and your hands dirty.

Note: Most Jeeps take special automatic transmission fluid called ATF Plus, most commonly seen as ATF+4. This is available from Mopar, as well as some other brands that are licensed. Make sure you only use transmission fluid rated for Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep. Using the wrong fluid will destroy your transmission, and the cost to replace it is well over $1000.

Step 3

With the Cherokee on ramps and all of your equipment ready, crawl under the Jeep and remove two of the bolts on the lower end of the transmission fluid pan. If that doesn't create a gap large enough for the fluid to escape, remove two more, lowering it just enough for the fluid to run into your drain pan. Once it is empty, take the other bolts out and remove the pan.

Step 4

Get out from under the Grand. While the fluid continues to dribble into the pan, use a scraping device (put spatula, razor, etc.) to very gently scrape the old gasket off of the pan. You must be sure that you don't gouge the pan or put any significant scrapes in it, as this will cause a multitude of leakage problems, and will require you to get a new pan.

Make sure every bit of the gasket sealant is removed before continuing; if you're having trouble scraping it off, gently rub the spots with a wire brush or ScotchBrite pad to sand them off.

Step 5

By now all of the fluid should have drained out. Crawl back under the Cherokee and use the wrench to remove the bolts from the filter. Watch your face during this step, and don't stare straight up at the filter-there will be more fluid coming as soon as you pull it out of the way.

Toss the filter aside and let the fluid once again drain into the pan while you do the next step.

Step 6

Clean out the transmission pan using mild soap, and make sure that it is completely dry before continuing. Rub gasket sealant on the pan, then place the gasket over the pan, carefully lining it up so that it matches the edges of the pan perfectly-if you mess this up, you'll have to scrape the gasket off and try again.

Set the pan aside to dry.

Step 7

Get back under your Grand Cherokee and wipe up any fluid that's dripping. Place the new filter where the old filter was, being very careful to line it up just where it goes. Do not over-tighten the bolts, or you will damage the filter.

Take the oil pan (the gasket should be adhered to the pan by now), and put it back into place. Hand screw the bolts in to hold the pan in place, then screw the bolts in so that they are just tight enough-you don't want to over-tighten, or the gasket will squeeze out oddly and allow leaks.

Step 8

Pop the hood and remove the dip stick. Put a funnel with a small tip into the port for the dipstick and pour a couple quarts of transmission fluid into the system (check your manual for exact amounts). Put the dipstick back and turn the car on.

Get on your knees and watch under the car for any leaks around the pan; if everything stays dry, you're set. Shift the transmission from reverse to drive and back again a few times. When it has been running for a few minutes, get out and check the levels on the dipstick; if it needs more, add some until the stick shows that it is full.