Im changing the transmission screen. How much fluid will i need?

Many vehicles do not have a drain plug for the automatic transmission. This is due to the fact that they do not require fluid changes very often, and when you do change the fluid, you need to change the filter or clean the screen, whichever it has. Therefore, to drain transmission fluid from most cars, it is necessary to remove the transmission pan. This allows the fluid to drain and gains access to the filter/screen. Also, it prevents accidental draining of the transmission when the novice is attempting to do an oil change.

Automatic? Check transmission fluid, When was last time fluid was changed? If time to change there is an internal screen that needs to be cleaned or changed.

When the pan is dropped and fluid is drained, to refill, it usually needs 5 - 6 quarts. When refilling, check the transmission fluid dipstick as you are adding the last two quarts. And also run the transmission thru the gears.

Your transmission fluid is dangerously low (tranny is dry). The pops & jerks are the transmission
internal components trying not to seize onto each other due to lack of lubrication and/or overheating.
Low transmission fluid leads not only to loss of lubrication but lots of overheating (of the tranny).
The loss of Elantra performance (speed tops out at 55), is caused by power loss due to friction inside the transmission. All your power is lost overheating the transmission (toward destruction), instead of
being transmitted through the transmission to the wheels.

The 2004 Elantra takes Hyundai SP-III Automatic Transmission Fluid, with 8.4 quarts used in a
total refill - but just 5 quarts at a fluid change. For How-to transmission fluid change instructions:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Hyundai-Repair-815/2004-Elantra-GT-transmission.htm

www.autozone.com claims that 2004 Hyundai Elantra can take these non-Hyundai ATF's:
Lucas Semi-Synthetic Multivehicle ATF
Pennzoil Muilt Vehicle ATF
Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF
Castrol High Mileage ATF

Check the fluid level in the transmission. You may be "running out" of fluid needed to shift to second.
You can try changing the transmission fluid and adding a small amount of Lucas transmission additive it may help a balky solenoid. Fords don't have a filter for you to change, but do offer a add-on type on the line to the radiator.

The mechanics lied to you. Changing the transmission fluid and screen will not cause any car not to run. Just as you need to periodically change the oil, the same holds true for transmission fluid. Though the fluid is black, yoou state that you have no slippage or nothing out of the ordinary. If that is the case, then you do not need a new transmission. Just have the fluid and screen replaced and all will be fine. Make sure to pick up a transmission pan gasket while you get the necessary fluid and screen. Again, changing the fluid will not cause any car to not run. It is safe to perform the fluid change.

if you only removed the transmission pan you should only need about 6 quarts. the transmission dipstick has level marks at the bottom of stick keep the amount in between the marks.

try autozone.com to see if they have your car listed for diagrams pictures and step by step instructions if your car is not listed then try your local library they have all the car manuals and even copy them for you and make sure you put the correct fluid back in it so you do not have any transmission problems

check transmission fluid level first if it is full or if it is milky looking or smell cooked change the fluid and filter because the screen in the filter maybe plugged and not allowing the fluid to go to the troque converter

Sorry to give you the bad news but if you have transmission fluid in your water, you have a bad radiator. I dont care what kind of car you have..