So I've read many horror stories about whether or not to change your transmission fluid on most vehicles. What I gather is that if your fluid is dark/burnt/smells then you should not change the fluid and leave it be cause you're on borrowed time. Conversely, if your fluid is redish/pink, its ok to change and your tranny is safe. I've also been reading that the AW4 tranny is bulletproof and hard to kill, so not sure which direction to go with.

My fluid looks redish/pink from the dipstick so I think I'm safe to move forward. I'm at 151k miles and don't know the service history on my 01 XJ. Should I move forward with the fluid change? Just a change or drop the pan and change the filter as well?

 

Just ran into another post asking the exact same question. My apologies, please delete my post if deemed necessary.

 

Just drain it and refill it. Unless your pan is leaking don't bother dropping it. Figure about 4 to 4 1/2 quarts. Dexron III/Mercon. Do the transfer case while you are at it. Figure about 1 to 1 1/2 quarts. Same fluid. Take the fill plug, upper one, off the transfer case first. Just in case you can't get it off you won't have drained it though the lower one already. My '00 is a 10 mm hex head. It is a little awkward getting the fluid in the transfer case. A gear oil bottle top works well. Got a Napa close by? They sell this plow fluid. Every case they buy comes with 12 new gear oil type screw caps. Nobody ever takes them. Go there and I bet they will just lay a couple on you if you ask. Or invest in this. Fits right on a quart bottle.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/VCA818

That being said when I first bought my '00 I dropped the pan and replaced the screen and gasket. Probably unnecessary but I did it anyway.

 

Thanks Ralph. I already changed the transfer case fluid following those same instructions. I had a hex bolt as well. Used a fluid pump from O'reileys that fits quart bottles also.