transmission question

[Pkim87]

hey guys i have a 1997 sedan i4 and i wanna service my transmission. I live in an apartment complex so cannot do the work myself so i will be bringing my car in to the mechanic. i was reading other threads about the differential fluid. do i need to have them change it out also along with the transmission fluid and if i do how many quarts of ATF do i need for both fluids? also i can use any fluid that is Dexron II or III? my understanding is the differential fluid also uses ATF and has a separate plug for it drain. my last questions are does the transmission and differntial drain bolts use the same gaskets or are they two different parts? thanks

[71Corolla]

Start by reading through these threads.

DIY: 5S-FE Transmission Fluid & Strainer Replacement Procedure
DIY : Differental Fluid Change

[JohnGD]

In the differential use Mobil-1 fully synthetic, or less expensive alternatives like Castrol Import Multivehicle ATF or Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V. I wouldn't go plain dino Dexron III types. So stay with at least Mercon-V.

All these are Dexron II/III suitable. GM no longer licenses the Dexron II/III names BTW. There is only the Dexron VI (6) now, but it's too thin for these older transaxles, IMO.