davy@ecn-ec.UUCP (08/16/83)
#N:ecn-ec:2900020:000:1129 ecn-ec!davy Jul 20 09:09:00 1983 Here's some advice for all you Dodge Colt/Plymouth Champ owners. I have a 1980 Colt with about 35,000 miles on it. For the past few months, the automatic transmission has been having trouble with delayed shifts from second to third. After asking two or three mechanics, all of whom had no idea what was wrong, I read through the service manual (a VERY handy book, it cost about $12 from the Dodge dealer) again, and discovered the problem. You're supposed to change the automatic transmission fluid every 30,000 miles! This had never crossed my mind before, it seems like such a low figure. Anyway, I did that this weekend (it's even easier than changing the oil), and the problem is cured. So, if your automatic transmission is sick, save yourself some money and try changing the fluid. It takes about 4 1/2 quarts of Dexron II, which will set you back maybe $4. Then, make sure you drain the fluid from both the oil pan and the differential. I don't know what a garage would charge, but I did it with a pair of ramps, a socket, and a crescent wrench in a total of about 30 minutes. --Dave Curry pur-ee!davy