if you're into saving money, and you're gonna do a fluid change sometime, you'd probably be better off doing it yourself...there'* a good procedure in techinfo on how to do that...a new filter is about $15-20, and fluid at a retail store usually runs about $10 per gallon, and you'd need a bit more than a gallon, and it'd take an hour or two...it'* worth it if that'* where you're going to go

just my $.02

John..I know what you meant..would like to clarify how you said ti though.

Trans and engine up to operating temperature.
With foot on brake..put the car through each gear on the selelctor.
Return it to park and check with the car still running.

running, just after i got into the parking lot, never shut off - had been on for about 20 minutes, and had been in OD - tried switching into first to see if that helped before I got on the highway. - I will chech again if necessary

For now, definitely get some fluid in it. If you just happen to be stopping at a parts store, be sure to get some of that Seafoam trans tune that I mentioned as well. Add that in there with that fluid right then to get it all worked in on the way to work and on the way home.. Just be sure you get it changed by this weekend.

Most likely will be my project for tomorrow monring... Thanks for the help so far; I'll get another update to you guys as soon as I get home from work tonight (9pm EST) - Thanks so much.

If you are low on fluid and keep running it w/o adding. You stand much better chances of doing more damage.

Alright - I will make a stop on the way to work in about two hours -

Your transmission says thank you.

Update:

I purchased everything you guys listed to do the flush, and I've had the sea foam in for approx 70 miles now. I plan to do the flush tomorrow afternoon. 1 quick question though. how much fluid will I need to fill it from empty?

thanks so much for all of your help - its been driving completely normal since the morning of the incident. I added the sea foam about a mile after I left my school on friday, so its been pretty good to me.

I spent $45 at Advance Auto to get everything I needed (including 1 gallon of ATF) - Let me know If I should pick up one or two more...

Thanks alot,
William

PS- my traction control switch doesn't work. I'm fairly sure I've read a few posts on here about this problem and will look into it again. I just mentioned this because I actually like ABS (I can hear you groaning) and I wish I had the ability to turn it on/off. My Dashlights say Traction Off - ABS and The button next to the gearshift doesn't do anything like it should. Is this a fuse or is this a problem I'm not going to want to try and fix?

You will need another gallon. Each pan drop/service I have done on a bonne has used 6-7 quarts.