2003 4.4i Trans Flush

[bugbyte]

Hello All,

I need some advice before I perform the trans flush for my X. Right now it is at close to 85,000 miles, the car drives great and shifts smooth. I'm planning to keep this car for at least 150,000 miles so I'm thinking to do the trans flush but I need input from the pro this this forum.
1. Should I use ZF fluid or Red Line (I can get red line from red line dealer near my house).
2. Should I drop the pan, clean and replace the filter or is it ok not to drop and just drain, replace, drain every 1/2 qt from the radiator hose that going back to the trans and replace until you need the new fluid coming out?
3. Have anyone done the complete flush where you take off the hose from the rad back to the trans and drain and refill every 1/2 qt? How many qt total should I need?

[TwinTurboGTR]

Use ZF Fluid Period.

Drop the pan, clean it and replace the filter.

The procedure is to drain, drop pan, clean, install new filter. install pan and gasket and filter. Fill. Drive a few hundred miles and drain and fill again. Some do it twice and some do it 3 times to get as much new fluid in the system.

[ECS Tuning]

I have a ton of guys running RedLine D4, it's a great fluid for the E53. A drain and fill is the basic, this is done by removing the fill plug first then the plugs (always remove the fill first to insure it isn't seized), draining and filling. Dropping the pan and replacing the filter is the preferred method, in doing this you'll still want to drain the fluids by removing the plugs (fill plug first) so you don't take a bath in transmission fluid. I have some kits available with all the needed fluids and parts for either the basic or preferred method available HERE for your 4.4.