Dumb Question: Drain plug on A/T pan ('03-08)?

[Cougar Vibe]

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I'm having issues with the search function right now. Anyway, is there a A/T pan drain plug on first generation Vibes? I sure hope so...I did drain & fill on my Ranger this weekend (no plug) and it was a mess. Luckily for me, Napa had a $6 drain plug that I installed, which should shelter the world from much, much cursing in the future. Thanks.CougarvibeBTW: What is the general consensus for ATF here? Toyota? I wanted to go with Amsoil or Redline...but at $8+, that's pretty pricey (especially if I drain & fill three times over the course of the next year). Any other options that don't break the bank?

[Cougar Vibe]

One more thing: What's the difference between Toyota T-IV and AC Delco T-IV? Packaging?

[joatmon]

yes, there is a drain plug on the gen1 A/T vibes. Probably on all A/T Vibes, I know for sure on the gen1.It makes it easy to drain the fluid, that's for sure. I can definitely relate to the cursing on the fluid change on a ranger, I did it on my 96 ranger about a month ago, and the flood when the pan drops is tough to control. One advantage on the Ranger is that it's up off the ground high enough to be able to drop the pan without having to jack it up. I've also got a really big catch pan, helps a lot, but it's still a messy job.On the Ranger, there is an actual filter element, so you need to drop the pan anyway, but on the Vibe there is just a screen. Some might say that just a fluid drain and refill is enough in the Vibe, others will say to drop the pan and clean the screen. I don't know the difference between actual Toyota T-IV and other brands, except perhaps price

[djkeev]

Use the Toyota oil. I'm not of a fan of oil experimentation on something so expensive to fix as an auto trans!! Get it from Toyota, it's cheaper.Recognize that you are only getting about half of a given transmissions oil out when you drop the pan.I'd drain via the drain plug and still remove the pan and filter. The filter is optional, you can replace or clean, it is a screen. The most important reason for dropping the pan is to see what is in the pan. A lot of metal stuck to the magnet? a pile of gold dust in the bottom? Flecks of gray and brown matter, these are all hints to the health of your transmission.Also change the Vibe auto oil far more frequently than the manual or the dipstick indicates. It leads a very hard life and "dies" (becomes smelly and black) between 40 and 60,000 miles.Dave

[woodyg]

I did a little research about 3 months ago on what a/t to use in my newly purchased 2006. I came to the conclusion that the toyota type IV was the safest be imho. I plan on draining and filling my whenever i change the oil the next 3 or 4 times.

[Cougar Vibe]

Thanks to everybody for the info (very happy about the drain plug confirmation!). I'm really trying to avoid dropping the pan at this point (42K miles), as my Vibe (AWD) shifts like new and has given me no reason for concern. That said, I'd like to be a bit proactive and start a gradual fluid change out (ie, drain & fill 3-4 qts every oil change until I get a pseudo complete drain). Joatman: I did replace the filter ($16/Auto Zone) on my Ranger and cleaned the pan with BrakeKleen and compressed air. The magnet looked pretty good, especially considering the truck has 105K miles and this was the first transmission service. Call me a cheapskate, but I went with SuperTech Mercon V ($3.77/qt) based upon pretty positive recommendations on BITOG. BTW: If you haven't put a drainplug on your pan yet, go to Napa and get one (and some RTV)...very easy to do.