Corsa CDX Automatic oil change

[pcmf]

Hi to you all.
First post on this forum, so go easy on me

I am the proud owner of a 2000 model year Corsa CDX X14XE engine with 4 speed automatic transmisson. I'd like to change the transmission oil, as far as I can see there's very little to do. Just drain the old oil out and re-fill with 3-3.5 Litres of fresh Dexron II.

I wonder if you Ladies or Gents could answer this question for me. Is it best to drain the oil hot or cold? The reason I ask this is that a friend of mine managed to strip the thread of the drain plug whist doing the same job on an Audi. The main agent blamed it on undoing the bolt whilst the transmission casing was still hot. The Haynes book I have has no mention of changing the transmission oil even though the Vauxhall service book states that it should be done every 40K miles.

I will await all replies with interest.

Thanks for reading, All the best. Paul.

[sloosemore]

Personally I would change it while the gearbox is warm not hot, this way the oil is thinner than if it was cold which means it will drain easier.
Depending where the filling cap is located you may need something to pump the fluid in, you can modify an easy bleed kit to pump it in for you, you should top up the oil so that it starts to come out of the filler hole then put the plug back in, you should then start up the engine and go through all the gears twice, put it into park then whilst the engine is still running remove the filler plug and top it up till the oil starts to come out again, put the plug back in and go through the gears again and then recheck the level.

Remember that the car should be level whilst you do this.