Glossary / Transmission

drain and fill

11 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

It’s like emptying the old oil from a car and pouring in fresh oil, but it doesn’t clean the inside of the gearbox.

Technical Definition

Drain and fill is a maintenance method where old transmission fluid is drained out and new fluid is added, but the internal filter is not cleaned.

Hear It Discussed

"I had it drain and filled and at a shop, and they took a video of it for me, and it was completely clean when it came out."
The Motor Medics Helping People to Repair Their Cars Over The Phone Under The Hood show 38:26

"I will also say that the drain and fill is probably the most common procedure. Obviously, you're only getting maybe a third of the capacity out, but if it's done on that regular maintenance..."
Turbocharge vs. Supercharge, When to Rotate Tires, Parking Brake Problems WCCO's Car Care 12:56

"Maybe if you got some knee pain... we slowly introduce you know, so maybe change it now just to do a drain and fill and then in thirty thousand miles, do another draining pil... [1158.4s] So you..."
The Car Show with Dane Donovan - 7/18/2026 The Car Show with Dale and Dane Donovan 17:30