Checking Tranny Fluid
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 11
Checking Tranny Fluid
According to my owner's instructional DVD, I should never need to replace my tranny fluid unless there is a leak. They imply that it is just too difficult for a mere mortal to check and fill the tranny fluid.
Is this on the level?
John
Is this on the level?
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Originally Posted by JohnDS
According to my owner's instructional DVD, I should never need to replace my tranny fluid unless there is a leak. They imply that it is just too difficult for a mere mortal to check and fill the tranny fluid.
Is this on the level?
John
Is this on the level?
John
The point is, it is filled from the factory. Therefore, if there are no leaks, there is no need to check it (in theory anyway).
Last edited by calemasters; Dec 20, 2005 at 02:54 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
Sheesh, GM builds this into your car and you still ask a question like this? You might as well say, I have this nose on my face, but golly gee whiz, I'm just not sure where it is right now.
I can replace my tranny fluid if I try, but that's not why I bought a Corvette.
Sound familiar? kinda sucks when your post is on the receiving end isnt it.....
I can replace my tranny fluid if I try, but that's not why I bought a Corvette.
Sound familiar? kinda sucks when your post is on the receiving end isnt it.....
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by JohnDS
According to my owner's instructional DVD, I should never need to replace my tranny fluid unless there is a leak. They imply that it is just too difficult for a mere mortal to check and fill the tranny fluid.
Is this on the level?
John
Is this on the level?
John
I assume you're talking about the manual transmission.
For a manual, there's a plug on the side, fluid should be up to the plug. Lift the car, remove the fill plug (the upper one!), and stick a pipe cleaner or something like that in to check the level. Don't be surprised if a little bit dribbles out when you remove the plug.
If you need to add any, a fluid pump that fits into the ATF bottle ($5-10 from an auto parts store) helps.
It probably doesn't need changing, but some do it anyway. I changed mine at 3K miles, the fluid in there looked like new so I probably wasted my time. But the differential lube wasn't nearly as clean, so if you're going to get your hands dirty, you might want to consider changing that.
The manaul transmission uses ATF (automatic transmission fluid), some folks have changed to Royal Purple Synchromax and report better shifting (search for threads on this) .
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,262
Likes: 4
From: Manhatten Beach, California
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '11,'18,'20,'21,'24,'25, '26
Originally Posted by calemasters
You did not indicate automatic vs. 6 speed manual, but it is not too difficult to check. It is not as easy as when automatics had dip sticks, but still do-able.
The point is, it is filled from the factory. Therefore, if there are no leaks, there is no need to check it (in theory anyway).
The point is, it is filled from the factory. Therefore, if there are no leaks, there is no need to check it (in theory anyway).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by JohnDS
Thanks, it sounds like any other car I have owned.
The engine must be running and the transmission up to operating temperature when checking. Apply the brakes and run through each gear, then back to Park. Next, release the foot brake, apply the parking brake, and with the engine still running... check the fluid by pulling the fill plug on the side of the case. If the fluid is at the bottom of the fill hole threads or gently dribbles out, your tranny is full. If you pull the plug on a full transmission with the engine off, fluid will gush out.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Buffy
No, but the car should be on the level when you check it.
I assume you're talking about the manual transmission.
For a manual, there's a plug on the side, fluid should be up to the plug. Lift the car, remove the fill plug (the upper one!), and stick a pipe cleaner or something like that in to check the level. Don't be surprised if a little bit dribbles out when you remove the plug.
If you need to add any, a fluid pump that fits into the ATF bottle ($5-10 from an auto parts store) helps.
It probably doesn't need changing, but some do it anyway. I changed mine at 3K miles, the fluid in there looked like new so I probably wasted my time. But the differential lube wasn't nearly as clean, so if you're going to get your hands dirty, you might want to consider changing that.
The manaul transmission uses ATF (automatic transmission fluid), some folks have changed to Royal Purple Synchromax and report better shifting (search for threads on this) .
I assume you're talking about the manual transmission.
For a manual, there's a plug on the side, fluid should be up to the plug. Lift the car, remove the fill plug (the upper one!), and stick a pipe cleaner or something like that in to check the level. Don't be surprised if a little bit dribbles out when you remove the plug.
If you need to add any, a fluid pump that fits into the ATF bottle ($5-10 from an auto parts store) helps.
It probably doesn't need changing, but some do it anyway. I changed mine at 3K miles, the fluid in there looked like new so I probably wasted my time. But the differential lube wasn't nearly as clean, so if you're going to get your hands dirty, you might want to consider changing that.
The manaul transmission uses ATF (automatic transmission fluid), some folks have changed to Royal Purple Synchromax and report better shifting (search for threads on this) .
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Pozzo
I changed to the Royal Purple Synchromax fluid. I added it using a funnel and about four feet of 1/2 inch (I think) tubing. I didn't know about the fluid pump that you refer to. I think I'll try to find that for the next change.
By the way, did you notice any improvement in shifting from the RP? I used Mobil 1 ATF, it might make a little difference but only a very little. I'm thinking about trying the Synchromax when I get a chance to get back under the car.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Buffy
Lovely little gadget - I got one at Harbor Freight, but I'm sure other folks have them. Sort of like the pump on a bottle of liquid soap, but scaled up. Just screws onto the bottle of oil/ATF/whatever and pumps the stuff through a short tube into the transmission. Makes the job much easier!
By the way, did you notice any improvement in shifting from the RP? I used Mobil 1 ATF, it might make a little difference but only a very little. I'm thinking about trying the Synchromax when I get a chance to get back under the car.
By the way, did you notice any improvement in shifting from the RP? I used Mobil 1 ATF, it might make a little difference but only a very little. I'm thinking about trying the Synchromax when I get a chance to get back under the car.
I changed it a while ago but I remember that I did feel a small improvement. That may have been a placebo effect; maybe since I went to the trouble of changing the fluid, I willed myself to feel a difference.