[Z06] Question about trans/diff fluid change
01-11-2014, 12:55 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
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Question about trans/diff fluid change
car: 2007 z06.
I found the DIY for the Trans and Differential fluid change on here and it recommends three quarts of differential fluid and four quarts of transmission fluid. When I called my dealer to get quotes on prices, they were telling me that I need 4 quarts for the differential and 5 quarts for the transmission.
Also, they quoted me $15/quart for the trans fluid and $30/quart for the diff fluid. Is there a place to get these GM fluids cheaper than at the dealer?
The P/N on the transmission fluid DIY is 88861800. When I look this P/N up on GM parts websites it lists this as $2.xx per bottle and it comes in a 12 pack? This doesn't seem like it's what I need.
Any information would be great.
Thank you.
I found the DIY for the Trans and Differential fluid change on here and it recommends three quarts of differential fluid and four quarts of transmission fluid. When I called my dealer to get quotes on prices, they were telling me that I need 4 quarts for the differential and 5 quarts for the transmission.
Also, they quoted me $15/quart for the trans fluid and $30/quart for the diff fluid. Is there a place to get these GM fluids cheaper than at the dealer?
The P/N on the transmission fluid DIY is 88861800. When I look this P/N up on GM parts websites it lists this as $2.xx per bottle and it comes in a 12 pack? This doesn't seem like it's what I need.
Any information would be great.
Thank you.
01-11-2014, 01:08 PM
#2
Pro
I did mine last year at home. It used just under 4 quarts for the transmission and just under 3 quarts for the differential. Mine is also an 07.
I used the factory GM fluids 88861800 and the synthetic differntial fluid that already has the additive included.
Try one of the online GM sources like GM parts giant or GM parts direct or OEHQ.
I used the factory GM fluids 88861800 and the synthetic differntial fluid that already has the additive included.
Try one of the online GM sources like GM parts giant or GM parts direct or OEHQ.
01-11-2014, 01:22 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
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I did mine last year at home. It used just under 4 quarts for the transmission and just under 3 quarts for the differential. Mine is also an 07.
I used the factory GM fluids 88861800 and the synthetic differntial fluid that already has the additive included.
Try one of the online GM sources like GM parts giant or GM parts direct or OEHQ.
I used the factory GM fluids 88861800 and the synthetic differntial fluid that already has the additive included.
Try one of the online GM sources like GM parts giant or GM parts direct or OEHQ.
This is what comes up for that P/N.. is this right?? It says quantity 12?
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=88861800
01-11-2014, 01:32 PM
#4
Pro
Yes I used 88861800 for the transmission and 88862624 for the differential. You should be able to buy them separately and not an entire dozen at a time.
Many on the forum will suggest you upgrade to a synthetic ATF like redline or amsoil. The differential fluid 88862624 is synthetic I believe and already contains the additive. You should be fine with buying 4 quarts and 3 quarts. You may also need to purchase the metal clip on the differential.
Many on the forum will suggest you upgrade to a synthetic ATF like redline or amsoil. The differential fluid 88862624 is synthetic I believe and already contains the additive. You should be fine with buying 4 quarts and 3 quarts. You may also need to purchase the metal clip on the differential.
01-11-2014, 02:06 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
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Yes I used 88861800 for the transmission and 88862624 for the differential. You should be able to buy them separately and not an entire dozen at a time.
Many on the forum will suggest you upgrade to a synthetic ATF like redline or amsoil. The differential fluid 88862624 is synthetic I believe and already contains the additive. You should be fine with buying 4 quarts and 3 quarts. You may also need to purchase the metal clip on the differential.
Many on the forum will suggest you upgrade to a synthetic ATF like redline or amsoil. The differential fluid 88862624 is synthetic I believe and already contains the additive. You should be fine with buying 4 quarts and 3 quarts. You may also need to purchase the metal clip on the differential.
Thank you.
01-11-2014, 05:54 PM
#6
Thank you so much for that info!!
This is what comes up for that P/N.. is this right?? It says quantity 12?
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=88861800
This is what comes up for that P/N.. is this right?? It says quantity 12?
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=88861800
Local dealers tend to charge a lot for parts... I've been quoted over online retail. Best to order from a forum dealer/vendor when you can, even considering the shipping costs.
01-11-2014, 07:18 PM
#8
1 quart from each? 
No, I have one I work with (hi Kevin!
) but I wouldn't want to recommend one over the other since I presume they all work hard for their customers. Pick one and if happy with the service, stick with them is my approach. With parts or mechanics or any business interaction it's all about relationships. Cheapest is not always the bestest, but when it comes to GM parts I think all the vendors will come in pretty close in price.
No, I have one I work with (hi Kevin!
) but I wouldn't want to recommend one over the other since I presume they all work hard for their customers. Pick one and if happy with the service, stick with them is my approach. With parts or mechanics or any business interaction it's all about relationships. Cheapest is not always the bestest, but when it comes to GM parts I think all the vendors will come in pretty close in price.
01-11-2014, 07:47 PM
#9
Pro
I ordered from GMPartsDirect.com. The 88862624 was $13.06/qt, the 88861800 was $4.57/qt. I also purchased 2 retainer clips @ $2.69 ea.
If you order on line, be careful on the quantity number for the 88861800. I ordered 4 and received 8. it seems they were sold as a two pack. There was no problem with the 88862624 quantity. If you call in, you can eliminate the issue or just read in more detail than I did when ordering. S&H to Tx was ~$18.
If you order on line, be careful on the quantity number for the 88861800. I ordered 4 and received 8. it seems they were sold as a two pack. There was no problem with the 88862624 quantity. If you call in, you can eliminate the issue or just read in more detail than I did when ordering. S&H to Tx was ~$18.
01-11-2014, 08:06 PM
#10
Pro Mechanic
Pro Mechanic
The GM rear axle lubricant PN 88862624 aka "Dexron LS" is not truly a synthetic lubricant. It's a blend of synthetic and petroleum base stocks.
It does an adequate job of meeting warranty requriements but...is it a premium, high-performance gear lubricant?
No.
You need to go to Red Line or Gibbs Driven, both of which market axle lubricants which use synthetic bases, for the best rear axle lubes.
It does an adequate job of meeting warranty requriements but...is it a premium, high-performance gear lubricant?
No.
You need to go to Red Line or Gibbs Driven, both of which market axle lubricants which use synthetic bases, for the best rear axle lubes.
01-11-2014, 08:33 PM
#11
For the average Joe I'd suggest staying with the OEM fluids... there is really no room for error, even if the OEM spec is not the ultimate (Mobil 1 5W30 is not a true synthetic either).
Now if you're pushing the envelope -- sustained high speed (Nevada Open Road) or frequent track (road course) use, then there may be advantages to alternative lubricants. I think those will be mostly found in temperature readings, if you can get them -- syn lubes lowered trans and diff temps in my instrumented Open Road C4 ZR-1 by about 10% at a sustained 160 MPH. 10% is significant when trans temp is 260F and diff temp is 235F. However, the lubes are not always what you think... the only syn trans fluid approved by ZF for that trans was a BMW motor oil
(Hib, you probably recall that deal.. I think it was a 20W60 Castrol or some such, only available at BMW dealers).
Now if you're pushing the envelope -- sustained high speed (Nevada Open Road) or frequent track (road course) use, then there may be advantages to alternative lubricants. I think those will be mostly found in temperature readings, if you can get them -- syn lubes lowered trans and diff temps in my instrumented Open Road C4 ZR-1 by about 10% at a sustained 160 MPH. 10% is significant when trans temp is 260F and diff temp is 235F. However, the lubes are not always what you think... the only syn trans fluid approved by ZF for that trans was a BMW motor oil
(Hib, you probably recall that deal.. I think it was a 20W60 Castrol or some such, only available at BMW dealers).
01-12-2014, 12:18 AM
#13
Race Director
For the average Joe I'd suggest staying with the OEM fluids... there is really no room for error, even if the OEM spec is not the ultimate (Mobil 1 5W30 is not a true synthetic either).
Now if you're pushing the envelope -- sustained high speed (Nevada Open Road) or frequent track (road course) use, then there may be advantages to alternative lubricants. I think those will be mostly found in temperature readings, if you can get them -- syn lubes lowered trans and diff temps in my instrumented Open Road C4 ZR-1 by about 10% at a sustained 160 MPH. 10% is significant when trans temp is 260F and diff temp is 235F. However, the lubes are not always what you think... the only syn trans fluid approved by ZF for that trans was a BMW motor oil (Hib, you probably recall that deal.. I think it was a 20W60 Castrol or some such, only available at BMW dealers).
Now if you're pushing the envelope -- sustained high speed (Nevada Open Road) or frequent track (road course) use, then there may be advantages to alternative lubricants. I think those will be mostly found in temperature readings, if you can get them -- syn lubes lowered trans and diff temps in my instrumented Open Road C4 ZR-1 by about 10% at a sustained 160 MPH. 10% is significant when trans temp is 260F and diff temp is 235F. However, the lubes are not always what you think... the only syn trans fluid approved by ZF for that trans was a BMW motor oil
(Hib, you probably recall that deal.. I think it was a 20W60 Castrol or some such, only available at BMW dealers).
01-12-2014, 12:37 AM
#14
Thanks. It cooled things down a bit from the OEM fill (I had drilled and tapped the trans and the diff for AutoMeter temp gauges, but Mobil 1 syn gear oil went in the diff).
I do recall that to get the trans (engine) oil I walked in to the local BMW dealership (some 13 years ago) wearing a ZR-1 Polo Shirt (GM bow tie logo w/ZR-1 over the pocket). While waiting at the parts counter, a harried woman customer said "What's your problem?" (I guess she was not happy with her car, presumably a BMW, and was misery looking for company).
Right at that moment, the parts guy walked up to the counter, looked at my shirt, and said "He's got a ZR-1 -- he doesn't have a problem."
About the funniest and coolest thing I'd ever heard... especially at a BMW dealer
I do recall that to get the trans (engine) oil I walked in to the local BMW dealership (some 13 years ago) wearing a ZR-1 Polo Shirt (GM bow tie logo w/ZR-1 over the pocket). While waiting at the parts counter, a harried woman customer said "What's your problem?" (I guess she was not happy with her car, presumably a BMW, and was misery looking for company).
Right at that moment, the parts guy walked up to the counter, looked at my shirt, and said "He's got a ZR-1 -- he doesn't have a problem."
About the funniest and coolest thing I'd ever heard... especially at a BMW dealer
Last edited by Mark2009; 01-12-2014 at 12:44 AM.