How can i tell if i need transmission fluid change?

[Trppen37]

is there a dip stick for the manual transmission fluid? for some reason I belive there is none... i want to change it out. but this book says i have to get under the car and the transmission oil should be level with the filler plug... is this right??? and it says use API GL-4 fluid... can't I just use 75W90 or 80W90 Gear Oil???and where the filler hole!?

[180fan]

There is an easier way to fill the transmission...the shifter. After you drain your transmission, if it hasn't been changed in a long time, it should appear to be like a metallic colored grey. After you take out the drain plug with a 1/2" drive, go to your shifter. Take off the trim, the little rubber parts w/ a 10mm, etc (btw there's a zip tie holding the last rubber section that's sealing your transmission and your shifter). Use needle nose pliers to take out the little sealing ring around the shifter. Once that's out, take out the next little metal ring and the shifter will pop out. That gives you access to a filler for the transmission. What I would do is this now. If you're certain you haven't had a transmission fluid change in a while, seal the drain plug at the bottom of the transmission, and fill up the transmission with some regular gear oil. DO NOT startup the car. Put the transmission through the gears, that should help move some of the old gunky stuff off. Then drain. Do this until you think your transmission's clean enough on the inside, btw now would be a good time to clean the metal shavings off the little magnet on the drain plug. Fill up the transmission with 2.4L of gear oil after you've sealed up the transmission again through the shifter. Otherwise I think the drain is on the left side of the transmission, and is a pain in the butt to get to.