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Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Station VA
Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid
The owner's manual is very condescending on this, as if we are too dumb to do it. It says to take it to a dealer.
Is it really a big deal? How do you do it and how is it different from any other car. :jester
Is it really a big deal? How do you do it and how is it different from any other car. :jester
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Noble OK
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Ron Cleaver)
You have to check it under the car, there is a sight plug you remove to check fluid level. Go to http://www.idavette.net/hib/C5diy/c5diy2.htm
[Modified by Xssesive, 12:28 PM 9/5/2002]
[Modified by Xssesive, 12:34 PM 9/5/2002]
[Modified by Xssesive, 12:28 PM 9/5/2002]
[Modified by Xssesive, 12:34 PM 9/5/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Xssesive)
searched and found this:
forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=216624
forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=216624
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Station VA
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Xssesive)
Xsessive - that's a good link
Mike - I did a search and didn't find that link.
I was asking because I found a dry red spot on my garage floor after the trans. fluid temp. reached about 200 degrees sitting on the DC Beltway. So I was wondering if fluid overflowed but I couldn't find the dipstick :D
Mike - I did a search and didn't find that link.
I was asking because I found a dry red spot on my garage floor after the trans. fluid temp. reached about 200 degrees sitting on the DC Beltway. So I was wondering if fluid overflowed but I couldn't find the dipstick :D
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 14,525
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX USA
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Ron Cleaver)
So I was wondering if fluid overflowed but I couldn't find the dipstick :D
[Modified by Marcus, 1:09 AM 9/7/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Marcus)
You have to raise the car level, remove a bolt on the side of the transmission housing, stick your finger in to see if the fluid is up to the hole.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Mike Mercury)
I did this process a few weeks ago and it is easy, just kind of weird running the tranny through the gears up on a lift with me under it adding fluid! I did not use a pump to add fluid. Wal Mart had a neat clear rubber hose you screw onto the fluid bottle and by just squeezing the bottle, it flows up the tube and into the tranny.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: Checking C5 automatic transmission fluid (Fast one)
I believe that several precepts are being overlooked here.
1. The fluid is supposed to be lifetime???
2. Once it is in , and there is no evidence of leakage there is no need to add fluid. This in theory should be for a lifetime.
3.The engineers did not design this transmission with frequent changes in mind. If you do not see a leak then leave it alone. If you must then fill, then it must be running and all it takes is a little finger probe in the fill hole similar to a differential check. I do not see it as a big deal, especially if you have a lift. Simple if you have the right tools, and GM has the right tools.
1. The fluid is supposed to be lifetime???
2. Once it is in , and there is no evidence of leakage there is no need to add fluid. This in theory should be for a lifetime.
3.The engineers did not design this transmission with frequent changes in mind. If you do not see a leak then leave it alone. If you must then fill, then it must be running and all it takes is a little finger probe in the fill hole similar to a differential check. I do not see it as a big deal, especially if you have a lift. Simple if you have the right tools, and GM has the right tools.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Sorry bro... this is a really old thread and adding fluid is not just a matter of taking off a cap and adding fluid... you need to FOLLOW the specific instructions for that procedure 
What needs to be done is to have the car elevated and level. With the transmission throughly warmed and ENGINE RUNNING remove the fill plug on the drivers side rear of the tranny pan. Add fluid as required. While doing this the engine MUST be running. DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE FILL PLUG REMOVED.
What needs to be done is to have the car elevated and level. With the transmission throughly warmed and ENGINE RUNNING remove the fill plug on the drivers side rear of the tranny pan. Add fluid as required. While doing this the engine MUST be running. DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE FILL PLUG REMOVED.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
If anyone has done this filter and fluid change recently, what fluid did you buy and where? For my 1998 A4 tranny w/93K miles on it, I want to use GM's AC Delco Dexron 6 brand but there seems to be several part numbers out there so I'm not sure which to buy. I've read many places that FULL synthetic is NOT to be used. Some bottle labels say nothing about this, some do. I hate this crap!! Any help will be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Just to be clear, Ron Cleaver is asking about an A4 auto trans.
You do have to follow FSM procedure for checking and or filling the A4 because if you remove the level check/ fill plug when the engine is not running, fluid will pour out and the transmission will then be low on fluid.
The fluid is not necessarily lifetime, the FSM specifies changing under certain driving conditions.
In my case, I track the car and change fluid and filter every four or five track days and use full synthetic Red Line D4 ATF.
You do have to follow FSM procedure for checking and or filling the A4 because if you remove the level check/ fill plug when the engine is not running, fluid will pour out and the transmission will then be low on fluid.
The fluid is not necessarily lifetime, the FSM specifies changing under certain driving conditions.
In my case, I track the car and change fluid and filter every four or five track days and use full synthetic Red Line D4 ATF.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Thanks anyway....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
sorry I guess I need to pay MORE attention 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 21
From: Henderson Nv
It should be emphasized that transmission fluid will not warm up with the car sitting in idle. The car should be driven a minimum of 20 mins to get the fluid up to temp. On my Dakota R/T I had to change my fluid every 30k. But that is with a built race tranny.
