I've inherited a 2002 Montero Sport AWD, 145k miles and one of the repairs it appears to need is the transmission. I haven't personally tried to drive it yet, but the wife describes the problem as "rolling back then jerking forward then stops then jerks forward again" while in drive. It sounds like the trans fluid is low, so that will be the first thing I check. I will update the post with more first hand info once I'm back home from overseas, but does anyone have some general guidance on what I should be looking for or checking? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

First thing to check is the transmission fluid level. Since you do not know how long it was driven with possibly low fluid and how old the fluid is, I'd recommend you do a transmission oil change. Can't repeat enough times - use only Mitsubishi Transmission fluid (ATF SP-III). Too many cases of transmissions being ruined or not working properly after using other fluids.