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So I finally got up the gumption to change my own oil. Got down, and drained the transmission fluid without realizing what I'd done. (I thought, boy this oil is a funny shade of black, but went on and changed the filter and put more oil in) I drove it maybe 1/4 mile, had the car running perhaps 4 or 5 minutes (and it seemed to drive fine), to drop off my jack in my barn, and then shut it off and didn't drive it for a week. When I went to use it this morning, of course, the car started and idled seemingly fine but wouldn't go into gear. I figured out that it was because I had accidentally drained all the transmission fluid, went to Auto Zone (in a different car...) and picked up some, and put 3 quarts in via the dripstick. Now I try to drive the car...it still idles fine (despite having too much oil in it, since it never got drained...I was going to drain it after I put more transmission fluid in) but will barely go after you put it into gear, with a bit of white smoke, and maybe a knock when you put the accelerator down (although I didn't keep the car on long enough to really see if there was definitely a knock). So now it won't drive, despite having fluid in it. What should I do? I guess my only option is have it towed somewhere like Pep Boys. I'm really hoping I didn't badly screw up my transmission by driving it but I must have, right? Any help is greatly appreciated. I was trying to save, what, $10 doing an oil change by myself and now am probably in for lots more than that to get this fixed, I feel like an idiot.

I've had that same feeling - but it usually has to do with trying to fix my computer. I know that my auto servicing skills are limited to changing the air filter and wiper blades, and keeping the proper amount of air in the tires. My fear for you expense wise is the transmission.

If your not comfortable continuing on with it probably have it towed somewhere.What I would do though is drain all the oil and then add the correct amount. Check level to insure it's correct.If you have an auto, and only added 3qts back to the trans, chances are your still pretty low there. Check the trans fluid in park, with the engine running and on level ground. I don't have a book with me so, look in your manual for the proper # of qts and type of fluid needed for the trans.

I do have an automatic, base engine, etc. I read in the manual that the transmission holds 3.2 quarts of fluid. I had it draining for probably an hour before I put the nut back in and the dipstick was reading 0 when I checked this afternoon before I put the fluid in, so that should be just about right. Now the dipstick shows fluid just around the two "cool" marks. But it still won't drive. I can change the oil (because it did have the little air bubbles of aeration when I checked this afternoon after the car ran that short time) but would that be causing the problem with the car not moving, or would that be the transmission only? I guess what I might be asking is, after adding fluid to a dry transmission, does one have to wait for it to filter through or something before it will work, with the car on, or should it work right of the bat (and in my case it isn't, and I need it towed somewhere)? Thanks for both of your replies.

So if i understand this you now have 8 quarts of oil in the engine and you let it idle, and you drove it without trans fluid?My guess is you did some serious damage to both the engine and the transmission.

Double check the book for the trans fluid capacity. 3.2qts sounds about right for a manual "stick shift" trans, but very low for an automatic.

If you didn't drop the transmission pan, 3.2 quarts is close to what you should have got. After you put the transmission fluid in, you need to have the front wheels in the air (use good sturdy jack stands) and run through all the gears in the car (including reverse). This gets the fluid moving through the transmission without putting high loads on the drivetrain. The transmission fluid should be checked while the fluid is warm, car in neutral and engine running. If you aren't comfortable with it, take it to a transmission shop.Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »So if i understand this you now have 8 quarts of oil in the engine and you let it idle, and you drove it without trans fluid?My guess is you did some serious damage to both the engine and the transmission.Agreed. I'd be very concerned with what you did to the engine while running with 8 quarts of oil.

What year Vibe? If you put DexronIII in a Vibe that calls for World Standard this could explain why it still won't move. drain Engine Oil and fill to proper level. If it calls for Dexron III then make sure thats what you put in. Idle in park and add fluid till it's in full range. Be aware there is a hot and cold fill level.

It's an 05 base automatic, no AWD and not GT. 3.2 qts is the amount listed in the manual. The trans fluid I put in is something like "Import Transmission Fluid", which on the back says it is compatible with transmissions needing T-IV, which is what the manual says I need. I'm sure it isn't top-quality stuff but it should work at least a little bit I would hope. What I'll do tomorrow is, drain oil, refill to proper level, and put it up on stands and cycle through the gears to see if that helps. What does that mean exactly: Take it from P, put it in reverse for a few seconds, then N, then D, etc? Or just rapidly move the lever down and up once, take off the jack stands, and see if it goes? I don't want to do more damage to the transmission by having it sit in gear for longer than I might need, I guess. I'm aware about the hot/cold fill level difference but theoretically it was empty and I put in exactly 3 quarts, but I'll check once the engine gets hot tomorrow. Am I putting the transmission at further risk if I just start the car and let it idle in Park to get hot, in order to get a hot trans fluid measurement?Do you have any idea what the serious damage could be to the engine, running it for a few minutes with too much oil? Anyway, thanks again for the replies. Hopefully tomorrow is a good day.

Quote, originally posted by JI737 »Do you have any idea what the serious damage could be to the engine, running it for a few minutes with too much oil? floated a lifter, bent a valve, damaged the crank.

Quote, originally posted by JI737 »What I'll do tomorrow is, drain oil, refill to proper level, and put it up on stands and cycle through the gears to see if that helps. What does that mean exactly: Take it from P, put it in reverse for a few seconds, then N, then D, etc? Or just rapidly move the lever down and up once, take off the jack stands, and see if it goes? I don't want to do more damage to the transmission by having it sit in gear for longer than I might need, I guess. I'm aware about the hot/cold fill level difference but theoretically it was empty and I put in exactly 3 quarts, but I'll check once the engine gets hot tomorrow. Am I putting the transmission at further risk if I just start the car and let it idle in Park to get hot, in order to get a hot trans fluid measurement?You aren't putting the transmission in any danger by leaving it in park and running. You need to make sure the motor oil level is right before you start the car. When you put the car on jack stands, start it in L, then shift it to 2, then to D, then stop the wheels from spinning and check R. Do this a few times. Make sure you have all 4 forward gears and Reverse. The T-IV fluid is correct for your car.

I'll try that and give an update tomorrow. Thanks for the great help.

Crap happens.Ok, here you are, drain out your engine oil completely and refill wit the proper quantity using the proper weight engine oil, not sure of your year, later ones are 5 /20, not sure about the earlier engines, check your filler cap or the owners manual.Now start it up and pull your auto trans dipstick, You MUST use T IV oil in there. If it is low on the stick, add oil until it is at the proper level with a warm transmission.Run it through the gears PRND21 to operate the various valve body valves and double check the oil.If you only drove a few hundred yards to the barn and parked it there the odds are very low that you did any serious damage. Pray for the best and give it a try.If all is well, you are older, smarter and out a few $$'s for oil you didn't need to spend. I also agree that NOT everyone should do their own work, recognize your abilities and skill level and do accordingly, it's cheaper in the long run!Dave

Well I drained the oil, all 8 quarts, put new in, and performed the procedure and the car seems to drive fine now, although trans fluid is a bit low so I'll add some more when I can get to Auto Zone. At the risk of overkill, let me say thanks again for all the helpful replies. Car seems to be running fine, no funny noises or rough running, etc, so I just may have gotten lucky.

Lucky? Are you sure you didn't pray to the late Pope John Paul II about this? We need another miracle to get his sainthood approved. Anyway - glad to hear all seems o.k.

No praying but if he helped out, I'm not complaining. Tough little cars, these are.

Man, reading through this thread I was worried for you. But glad to see that all seems fine!

I'm still trying to figure out how it drove the 1/4 mile with no tranny fluid in there. That shouldn't have been possible - unless these transmissions somehow work differently than other automatics I'm familiar with.Regardless of what happened - it's always good to hear that it worked out alright in the end. Hopefully no long term damage done.My cousin once overfilled my uncle's Aerostar by a full 5 quarts (engine oil) and drove it clear across town - including several miles of highway. As soon as my uncle heard what he did, he drained it out. That van still ran for several years afterwards with no apparent ill effects though. I figure that it was SO full that the rods were swimming in the oil, rather than slapping against it. Maybe that was the case here too.John

Quote, originally posted by j42.snyder »I'm still trying to figure out how it drove the 1/4 mile with no tranny fluid in there. That shouldn't have been possible - unless these transmissions somehow work differently than other automatics I'm familiar with.JohnDraining doesn't remove all the fluid. There was still some in the TC. As he found out it wouldn't shift after the left over fluid was pumped out of the TC.There was some fluid just not enough to allow the trans to shift.I would keep a close eye on your levels and your temp. You may have just skirted a very very large repair bill.

Glad to hear that your Vibe is running. We all have moments like those. I remember learning how to adjust the fuel mixtures screws & float levels on a 600 holley carb.....it cost me a tow to the shop LOL. Never did that again, and learned how to tune it perfectly afterwards. Lessons learned thats all !