It's about time to change my transmission fluid. I read a few posts in the past about filling the fluid through the shifter instead of the fill hole. If that is possible with the RX8's 6 speed, how do I fill it through the shifter? It is a total bitch to work witht he space under the car so I rather fill it through the shifter instead.

 

This would be helpful to know because the only way to fill it underneath is with the pump that attaches to the bottle :/

 

It works great on the 04-08's...

I don't think it works on the 09+ new trannys

You can fill it...and then check it with the top access hole.....

Way easier than trying to pump it in the top hole..especially on the ground

 

Just remove the shifter You will see the hole.

 

Good thread, been meaning to ask as well. Okay so when you fill you stop when you see tranny fluid close to the top?

 

i would think that you take off the fill nut that is under the car on the tranny ( the one you would normally fill by) and fill it through the shifter until it starts to seep out of the hole or you could just measure 1.8 qts

 

Just make a homemade bong like apparatus and it is no problem to fill from the underside. Run the hose through the engine bay and into the fill hole. No risk fluid in your car and no difficulty at all. Just get the right diameter plastic tubing for a snug fit.

 

Right, except I would rather fill it through the shifter if possible.

 

Ditto for this method - read it here somewhere and it works just fine - silicon acquarium hose is the best - you need 1.5 metres. DON'T fill it till it overflows as you'll be overfilling it - just add the 1.8qts or 1.7 litres.

 

When I replaced my clutch and had the car up on jack stands, I used a 4' level to verify that the car was perfectly level and filled the transmission through the fill hole.
At exactly 2qts I was able to feel the fluid at the top of the fill hole.
Normally, if the car is level, you would fill it until it comes out of the fill hole... this is a common method.

So with that said, I now just fill the tranny fluid through the shifter with 2qts and not even bother removing the fill plug.
No issues so far.

 

I guess it's as simple as removing the shifter with the AFE ssf installation instructions and filling it through there with 2 quarts.

BTW, guys stop telling us to fill it through the fill hole. I'm sure all of us in this thread know how to fill it through there. This thread wouldn't be started if we wanted to know how to fill it through the fill hole.

 

Yes, you can do it on a s1 rx8 without problems.
Just make sure to pour in 1.8qts because it is easy to overfill a transmission with this method. Pay attention to that and you're ready to go.

 

Its not directed at people in this thread in particular, but the number of other people who may stumble across this.
There is probably a good number of members who have never done an oil change before.

 

Pix anyone?

 

Ditto. Next time through the shifter hole for me too. The quart hand pump underneath is kind of a pita. I would still pull the fill plug tho' just because I'm ****.

See the AFE SS how to DIY thread.

 

someone should take a pic of where the hole is on the shifter. Like make a big red circle around it? possibly a yyellow circle?

 

Yep a lot easier through the shifter. well you cant really miss the hole.... there is only one that leads into the tranny when you take off the shifter.

 

Remove center console (lift up)
remove 4 screws holding shifter in,
lift shifter out,

Voila - hole!

 

haha sweet. that clarifies it.

 

I did the hose through the engine bay, and would suggest it...there is no way I would risk spilling it in my car.

 

You insert a funnel into the transmission (where the shifter goes) and pour in the fluid... just that simple.
But if you're the paranoid type... feel free to go through the engine bay...

 

You insert a funnel into the transmission (where the shifter goes) and pour in the fluid... just that simple.
But if you're the paranoid type... feel free to go through the engine bay...

 

with the car up on stands for an oil change, while you're waiting for all the oil to drain, doing the tranny fluid from the fill hole is actually going to be faster or at least equal to the shifter hole. this is of course based on the notion you didn't buy some 2 dollar hand pump. You have to crawl under there either way to take off the plug and drain the transmission.

 

^ somewhat agree, but I've not seen a better pump. The $5 one at Pep Boys that is also used for marine outboard motors is the one I have. Of course for the differential the hand pump is the only way to go, but takes forever.

 

i just did it .. right now, gonna be making a couple better videos on how to do transmission, differential oil change/shoft shifter replacement/front bumper removal, airbox removal and 2 different spark plug video soon, here is a couple links though to help u visualize for transmission/shifter.


http://www.axialflow.com/ss8_diy.htm
YES, the upper boot was a pain in the *** to get off.

http://www.5cats.org/rx8/trans_diff_refill/

that being said.. i think with the cheap *** pump thing i have, it was easier to pump then to do it through the shifter, no idea where it came from, but found the device in my garage. it uses a red rubber like material to provide suction, and just 2 plastic ends with 1 end flexible.. and fits perfectly into the hole o.O...