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Q--I enjoy reading your column. I have been working in the automobile field in one form or another for over forty years and still manage to do most of the needed maintenance myself. In the old days torque converters and oil pans had drain plugs but today’s vehicles do not. As you recommend, remove the transmission pan, clean it and change the filter or screen.
I have a suggestion for the DIYer concerned about removing more fluid. They can get a hand-operated suction pump (Mr. Goodpump is one brand name) for about $10. If they drive the vehicle for one week and then suck out additional fluid (they can remove another 3-4 quarts) by sticking the pump suction hose down the filler tube, the refill fluid will be mostly fresh. Do this twice, one week apart and they will see the fluid change from dirty pink to a cleaner pink.
A--Thanks for a neat tip that, although wasting some transmission fluid, can save the do-it-yourselfer a few bucks. I use a manual suction device to remove differential oil to avoid replacing the RTV silicone seal on the cover since it is so difficult to get a perfectly clean, oil-free surface.