how hard is it to flush the transmission in a 2002 mazda protege?
The best way is to take it to a shop that has the equipment to do this, but you can do it in your driveway as well. It requires disconnecting the transmission cooler return line and running the engine while the transmission pumps all the old fluid out the disconnected line. You have to be carefull not to damage the transmission oil pump, by not running the trans dry. It's kind of a tricky deal, but as long as you shut the engine down when the fluid stops flowing out the return line, you should be ok. Then just fill it back up with fresh tranny fluid and press on. You also need to drop the pan and replace the filter.
A better question would be Should I flush the Transmission? And the answer is usually NO. Transmission flushing only benefits the profitability of the shop recommending it. Unless you have gotten stuck and repeatedly rocked the car trying to get unstuck or you have towed a large trailer through the mountains, you don't need to flush or change transmission fluid. It doesn't normally wear out or get dirty since it has no exposure to combustion like the engine oil does. Look at the fluid on the dipstick. If it doesn't look or smell burned, it is fine. Toyota now puts a band on the dipstick tube stating that under normal conditions there is no need to change the transmission fluid. They did this to reduce the abuse inflicted on car owners by dealers and service shops.
to get all of the fluid out you should have the transmission flushed by a shop that has the proper equipment. to do it the shop connects a filtration machine that has a hydraulic pump in it to the transmission cooler lines. it then uses the machine to circulate a transmission flushing agent through the transmission and the cooler to dissolve any build up. then the fluid is pumped out and new fluid added. several manufacturers do not recommend transmission flushes. Honda is one. the reason they frown on them is that some of the flushing agents are not compatible with the seals in their transmissions. check with your mazda dealer before you have it flushed. you can change the fluid yourself but that's typically a mess. most dealers and shops charge about $125 to do the transmission flush. hope that helps
