Hi. I cant believe how informative this forum is! I just bought my first lincoln (96 mark viii ) Probaly the best car I have ever owned. Thus far at least. It does have a wonderful shudder in the transmission when I am pulling a hill in 3rd gear. about 1000 rpm to 1500 rpm. Most automatics in my experience take a lot less gas pedal get them to shift down. I guess its just the nature of the beast. I just bought 13 quarts of valvoline synthetic atf and a new filter. I hope to change the fluid first thing tomarrow. I take that I will have to just drain the TC and then pull the pan. Is there a non-messy way to drain the fluid on this thing? I hope this new atf will help. That shudder drives me up the wall. I read on here about using lucas in the tranny also. I will probaly get a bottle of that too. I will most likely be on this forum constantly looking for advice and technical help with my mark. Any help will be greatly apriciated. Thanks