picked up a great '87 GL wagon with only about 30k miles on it last winter. 

 

engine was pretty clean, no real fluid leaks, was working great till a couple months ago. 

 

when i started her up cold, and just pulled away from the curb, she wouldn't shift into 2nd gear unless i let her warm up a little, and run through the gears a couple times while still parked. after that, she'd shift fine and the problem wouldn't happen again till she's parked and cold. 

 

this car's body is in pretty good shape, has manual locks and windows and runs great otherwise, sans some front end alignment that needs to be adjusted and i hope to drive her into the next century so really looking at getting to the bottom of this. 

 

seems like the trans fluid isn't circulating until it's warmer and thinner, possibly?

 

gonna drain it and put in a new filter and new fluid, 

 

WHAT TYPE AND HOW MUCH, EXACTLY, do you use? 

 

maybe as treatment fluid of some kind can be added w/ the new fluid?

 

heard a few different answers and suggestions, but can always count on the USMB for delivering the best advice. 

 

thanks, 

 

Glen. 

If this a 3AT transmission.... I found that when I switched mine to Amsoil synthetic atf it worked a lot better in the cold.

Straight from owners manual:

Capacity:fwd 6.0 quarts Dex 2 AWD 6.4 quarts Dex 2

Refill after drain: add 2 quarts, check and fill accordingly.