My MY04 just turned 19k and I bought it with 10K. I figured I would change the diff fluid b/c I imagine it has never been done before (I have no records from previous owner). The process was simple. My questions are:
1. Should I be concerned that only 2/3 quart drained? I was able to put in a full quart.
2. Should I be concerned that the old fuild was fairly thick?
3. Shifting is now much smoother. Why would this happen?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Neal

 

Good Idea to change the fluid. I bought mine w/ 8.3k and did mine @ 15k. I also noticed that it shifted smoother. Not sure why...I'm sure someone will chime in on this, though you could do always do a search.

 

1. Maybe it was low to begin with? It should NOT have taken the full qt. Did you let the excess fall out the fill hole with the car on level ground?

2. No. It probable had never been changed. Thickness of the old diff fluid is not necessarily an indication of its condition. Be more concerned about how the car was driven during its short life.

3. Probably mostly psychological.

 

 

How does changing the fluid in the differential make the transmission shift "smoother"?

 

it doesn't.