Transmission fluid change
 

I will be doing some maintenance on my newly purchased 2003 G.M. With 32k miles on the car, I wanted to do some preventive maintenance on the transmission. I would appreciate it if someone can tell me if the torque converter on a 2003 has a drain plug. I see there is a rubber plug on the bottom of the bell housing but have not crawled underneath and take a look inside while someone manually turns the engine.

Transmission Fluid and Filter change are recommended by FOMOCO at 35,000 miles.
Your '03 Merc has two (2) trans filters, one in the cooling line, and one in the trans pan.
Part numbers =
Motorcraft FT-183 = in-line filter.
Motorcraft FT-105 = pan filter.
Both filters are available from Amazon.com and/or RockAuto.com. -- (best prices and home delivery)
NO gasket is supplied with the pan filter -- re-use the original gasket after cleaning with WD-40.
Be sure to clean the ceramic magnet that's in the trans pan.
Tighten trans pan bolts to 120 inch-pounds, using a cross-hatch pattern.
I installed a B&M drain plug in the pan in order to make future filter changes quicker and less messy -- it WORKS !!
Yes, there is a torque-converter drain plug. It's accessible through that rubber-plugged hole in the bell housing.
Major caution: DO NOT OVER-FILL the transmission !!
Add the last quart of fluid at FOUR OUNCES AT A TIME -- engine and transmission at normal operating temp.
Good luck !!

Thanks for the info. I had no idea there was an inline filter. I am considering the drain plug too.

The 95 MERC has no in-line trans filter -- FOMOCO added it in later years.
I have installed a B&M Shift Improver Kit, Mobil 1 Synthetic Trans Fluid, and a B&M 13,000 B.T.U. Trans Cooler -- 'cause I live in the desert, and often run long distances at high speeds.
The tranny modifications were done several years ago, and have functioned perfectly in any and all conditions.
You won't need a trans cooler in Ohio, but get that Drain Plug -- it saves a LOT of time and cleanup on your next filter change.