Transmission flush Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 176
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From: San Diego CA
Transmission flush Question
I know normally any car SHOULD have its transmission flushed every 50k miles. Is this the same for corvettes? I have a 97 6 speed, with 75k miles, transmission has never been flushed. I ask becuase I live in WI, and the car has really not been drivin all that much in winter. I also have a 99 cavalier with over 140k miles, transmission has never been flushed, and it runs fine - people tell me to not bother with the flush becuase it might screw up the trany?? I just dont want the trany flush to screw anything up in my vette. So can we discuss the REAL scoop on the trany flush, keeping this info in mind? Thank you!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 296
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From: Landisville PA
With the 6 speed, just drain and refill it yourself. If you can do an oil change, you can do this. It's even easier than changing engine oil.
Do the rear diff while you're back there. Same process as the tranny.
Cost= <$40 for 4 quarts of Amsoil ATF for the tranny
Do the rear diff while you're back there. Same process as the tranny.
Cost= <$40 for 4 quarts of Amsoil ATF for the tranny
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 176
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From: San Diego CA
Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I know how to do normal maintenance tasks with cars. Ive never changed tranny fluid myself. Maybe a you could post a quick walk through. At least where to drain it from and where to fill it back up. And its recommended that I do this soon, since I already have 75k on her? I still dont understand why my cavalier transmission hasnt died with 140k miles and no trany flush ever.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Landisville PA
There is actually a bolt on the tranny marked "Drain" and one above it for fill.
Crack the fill plug open to make sure it's not seized.
Remove the drain plug... it will drain.
Reinstall drain plug.
Fill with new ATF in the fill hole until the level is up to the bottom of the fill hole. You'll need a hand pump to make the job super easy ($10 from Amsoil).
Reinstall the fill plug.
Open beer, enjoy.
Crack the fill plug open to make sure it's not seized.
Remove the drain plug... it will drain.
Reinstall drain plug.
Fill with new ATF in the fill hole until the level is up to the bottom of the fill hole. You'll need a hand pump to make the job super easy ($10 from Amsoil).
Reinstall the fill plug.
Open beer, enjoy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi JoJo_duder and wettevette -
Here is a directory where I have pictures of a mn6/12 tranny drain and refill -
http://www.iammoon.com/images/c5tech/transoil/
When I drained the fluid from my 02 Z06, with around 36k miles on it, the fluid looked very dark and dirty - just my experience.
Simple and easy to do, so I figure it is good insurance.
best regards -
mqqn
Here is a directory where I have pictures of a mn6/12 tranny drain and refill -
http://www.iammoon.com/images/c5tech/transoil/
When I drained the fluid from my 02 Z06, with around 36k miles on it, the fluid looked very dark and dirty - just my experience.
Simple and easy to do, so I figure it is good insurance.
best regards -
mqqn
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 608
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From: jacksonville north carolina
for the A4 you can only check it but lifting the car it has a plug like the rear end does ..how damn cheap was chevy by not installing a dipstick
i was going to get the TA fluid changed in mine last month i have 60k on it and the dealer said they would do it but it really dont need it till about 90k.im gonna do mine at 70k and replace it with royal purple.
i was going to get the TA fluid changed in mine last month i have 60k on it and the dealer said they would do it but it really dont need it till about 90k.im gonna do mine at 70k and replace it with royal purple.
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi elctroman -
I thought about this (the lack of a trans dipstick) - where would you have had the dipstick located?
Since the car has a transaxle, the dipstick would have to be somewhere in the rear hatch area.
As infrequent as the need to service the A4 is, it is probably not worth having a dipstick.
best regards-
mqqn
I thought about this (the lack of a trans dipstick) - where would you have had the dipstick located?
Since the car has a transaxle, the dipstick would have to be somewhere in the rear hatch area.
As infrequent as the need to service the A4 is, it is probably not worth having a dipstick.
best regards-
mqqn
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: jacksonville north carolina
Hi elctroman -
I thought about this (the lack of a trans dipstick) - where would you have had the dipstick located?
Since the car has a transaxle, the dipstick would have to be somewhere in the rear hatch area.
As infrequent as the need to service the A4 is, it is probably not worth having a dipstick.
best regards-
mqqn
I thought about this (the lack of a trans dipstick) - where would you have had the dipstick located?
Since the car has a transaxle, the dipstick would have to be somewhere in the rear hatch area.
As infrequent as the need to service the A4 is, it is probably not worth having a dipstick.
best regards-
mqqn
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
Hi JoJo_duder and wettevette -
Here is a directory where I have pictures of a mn6/12 tranny drain and refill -
http://www.iammoon.com/images/c5tech/transoil/
When I drained the fluid from my 02 Z06, with around 36k miles on it, the fluid looked very dark and dirty - just my experience.
Simple and easy to do, so I figure it is good insurance.
best regards -
mqqn
Here is a directory where I have pictures of a mn6/12 tranny drain and refill -
http://www.iammoon.com/images/c5tech/transoil/
When I drained the fluid from my 02 Z06, with around 36k miles on it, the fluid looked very dark and dirty - just my experience.
Simple and easy to do, so I figure it is good insurance.
best regards -
mqqn
My manual says 100K UNLESS driven in mountainous, dusty environments, in which case you should do it every 50K. I did mine at just over 50K and it needed it. Now, having said that, when you go in to have it done and the fluid is CLEAN, don't spend the extra $100 for the flush, just have it refilled. If it's clean, there is no need to flush (hmmm, kinda like a toilet.....
)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
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From: San Diego CA
Hmm. Around $40 for the trany oil, $10 for the pump, and I dont have my own lift to get under the damn thing. Think i'll just have the Lube shop do it eventually. I here its around $75? I'll shop around.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi JoJo_Duder -
You can use a floor jack, some small blocks of 2x4 wood, and some cheap rhino ramps to get your C5 up in the air enough to do your own oil changes and such -
example pic -
http://www.iammoon.com/images/vette/myz/jacking.jpg
Unfortunatley, doing it this way is the only 100% sure-fire way to be certain that things are done with care.
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
You do not flush the manual per se., rather drain it like a crankcase - then fill it back up.
You need just under 4 quarts of Dextron III ATF or equivalent. I chose to use Red Line ATF from Summit - it was more convenient in the gallon jug when filling I might add.
best regards -
mqqn
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Spring Hill, Florida Life is all about new beginnings;...TRY ONE!
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
There are many thoughts regarding "flushing" a tranny on any car.
Many say that it is detrimental to the trans and is really only something dreamed up to make more $$$ for dealers, trans shops, etc.
I'm not an expert but maybe someone who is will chime in, I would like to find out about this myself!
Many say that it is detrimental to the trans and is really only something dreamed up to make more $$$ for dealers, trans shops, etc.
I'm not an expert but maybe someone who is will chime in, I would like to find out about this myself!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 608
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From: jacksonville north carolina
Hi elctroman -
You do not flush the manual per se., rather drain it like a crankcase - then fill it back up.
You need just under 4 quarts of Dextron III ATF or equivalent. I chose to use Red Line ATF from Summit - it was more convenient in the gallon jug when filling I might add.
best regards -
mqqn
You do not flush the manual per se., rather drain it like a crankcase - then fill it back up.
You need just under 4 quarts of Dextron III ATF or equivalent. I chose to use Red Line ATF from Summit - it was more convenient in the gallon jug when filling I might add.
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
You do not flush a MANUAL trans (per my post) - you only flush the automatic. I looked at your prof and you have an A4 - the original poster here asked about a manual.
I have no evidence or information that would add to the debate as to whether it is best to have the trans flushed or to simply drain as much out as you can and then re-fill it.
I would do the latter, as I prefer to do things myself, and in this case, for me, close enough is good enough.
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
I replaced my stock MN6 fluid with Mobil 1 at 49,000 miles. Then replaced Mobil 1 with Amsoil ATD at 100,000 miles, after it started grinding going into sixth. The change fixed the grinding.
These manual transmissions are sensitive to dirty fluid, I have no idea why GM says they never need changed.
These manual transmissions are sensitive to dirty fluid, I have no idea why GM says they never need changed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
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I replaced my stock MN6 fluid with Mobil 1 at 49,000 miles. Then replaced Mobil 1 with Amsoil ATD at 100,000 miles, after it started grinding going into sixth. The change fixed the grinding.
These manual transmissions are sensitive to dirty fluid, I have no idea why GM says they never need changed.
These manual transmissions are sensitive to dirty fluid, I have no idea why GM says they never need changed.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
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From: SpringHill Florida
Yes you do, read the label on the sunvisor it says something about mounting a child seat in the back seat.So there must be one somewhere.Cheap Chevrolet can't even make a vehicle specific sticker for these overpriced plastic toys.
No hate mail please I am an engineer and other than some of the design features they let the bean counting procurment specialists find the lowest priced vendors/suppliers to make up the bulk of these cars.
I still like the car but at these prices you should not have to replace as many things so quickly.
No hate mail please I am an engineer and other than some of the design features they let the bean counting procurment specialists find the lowest priced vendors/suppliers to make up the bulk of these cars.
I still like the car but at these prices you should not have to replace as many things so quickly.