Ranger Method M7
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 711
Likes: 200
Ranger Method M7
Now that GM blacked out the C7 clutch fluid reservoir has any used the ranger method to periodically change out the fluid. I don't see a fill line anywhere inside the bowl like my C6 had. Please advise if anything has changed regarding the method. I guess it's going to be a bit of a pain to see inside when filling and when trying to see how black the fluid has become.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 333
From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
Dip the end of a clean screwdriver into the fluid to pick up a drop and then deposit that on a clean white paper towel. That should give you an idea of how dirty the fluid is.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,194
Likes: 305
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
SoCal Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12
OMG, they are still using that same poor design that allows clutch dust to enter the clutch fluid?
After having 7 C5/C6 corvettes, all with a manual trans when I decided i wanted a C7 I swore I would not buy another manual trans corvette that had that same poor design. So I bought an A6 and it has been perfect. Although I prefer a manual trans I won't buy one that has that design. Thank goodness I did not go with the A8 which apparently continues to have issues (as reported on this forum).
After having 7 C5/C6 corvettes, all with a manual trans when I decided i wanted a C7 I swore I would not buy another manual trans corvette that had that same poor design. So I bought an A6 and it has been perfect. Although I prefer a manual trans I won't buy one that has that design. Thank goodness I did not go with the A8 which apparently continues to have issues (as reported on this forum).
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 278
Likes: 76
From: Bham
Yup. Use it every 6 months. The container is small enough to read where the line is when you put new fluid in. Its less than $5 for a container of DOT4 and I usually have to ranger method the whole container before it comes back clear. Workout for my left calf lol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
OMG, they are still using that same poor design that allows clutch dust to enter the clutch fluid?
After having 7 C5/C6 corvettes, all with a manual trans when I decided i wanted a C7 I swore I would not buy another manual trans corvette that had that same poor design. So I bought an A6 and it has been perfect. Although I prefer a manual trans I won't buy one that has that design. Thank goodness I did not go with the A8 which apparently continues to have issues (as reported on this forum).
After having 7 C5/C6 corvettes, all with a manual trans when I decided i wanted a C7 I swore I would not buy another manual trans corvette that had that same poor design. So I bought an A6 and it has been perfect. Although I prefer a manual trans I won't buy one that has that design. Thank goodness I did not go with the A8 which apparently continues to have issues (as reported on this forum).
Exact reason I bought the '14 rather than a new '15 at the time. I saw no reason to have an 8 speed auto in a vehicle that already achieved 30mpg...
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,358
From: NE South Carolina
I do the same every oil change, which for me is usually once a year per the GM oil life indicator. Since I do not track or drag race feel it is almost as good as the GM recommended proceedure every 2 or 3 years (my 2014 Owner's Manual says every 2 years the 2016/2017 Manual says every 3.) The GM procedure requires removing and exhaust pipe, catalytic converter, etc to get at the bleed valve! Have used the Ranger Method for my C6 for 5 years and the C7 now for 3 and no problems.
GM notes that some of the dark color is due to staining from seals so it does not reflect only contaminated fluid.
Also agree a good leg exercise! Not as much burn as 3 sets of 10 reps on my leg press machine but the ~210 pumps (30 pumps on 7 changes) does feel like I've done some good!
Last edited by JerryU; Sep 9, 2016 at 08:14 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
There is a fill line if you look closely. I have a '16 Z51 M7 that now has 13,000 miles. I do it once a month or so. The first time when the car only had a couple of thousand miles lots of floaties came out. Now it just get a tiny bit darker. I only do a two or three changes with 30 reps between.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 490
Likes: 92
From: Savannah GA
I'm sure you can use any DOT4 fluid, but the manual states "Super DOT4". I see Pentosin is one of the only fluids that is "super", and I saw on another forum that the GM fluid is re-branded Pentosin Super DOT4 so I am getting this from Amazon. The good thing is they sell a 1/4L bottle which is perfect for doing the Ranger Method and not having a bunch left over to sit on a shelf open until the next flush. A little more expensive than other fluids, but cheaper than GM branded fluid, and a more convenient size for this application.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 990
Likes: 281
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I'm sure you can use any DOT4 fluid, but the manual states "Super DOT4". I see Pentosin is one of the only fluids that is "super", and I saw on another forum that the GM fluid is re-branded Pentosin Super DOT4 so I am getting this from Amazon. The good thing is they sell a 1/4L bottle which is perfect for doing the Ranger Method and not having a bunch left over to sit on a shelf open until the next flush. A little more expensive than other fluids, but cheaper than GM branded fluid, and a more convenient size for this application.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Now that GM blacked out the C7 clutch fluid reservoir has any used the ranger method to periodically change out the fluid. I don't see a fill line anywhere inside the bowl like my C6 had. Please advise if anything has changed regarding the method. I guess it's going to be a bit of a pain to see inside when filling and when trying to see how black the fluid has become.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,767
Likes: 338
From: San Diego CA
I changed mine out today with the ranger method. It took about 30 minutes and four cycles of changing the fluid and pumping the clutch 50x each cycle to get back to clean fluid. My car has 23,000 miles. The fluid was dirty but not dark black.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
Suck out the fluid, fill with fresh fluid, pump clutch pedal 30 times, repeat.
I do mine on a regular basis on a daily driver (13k in 11 months). Did two cycles today and fluid looked pretty good. I not a fanatic, use Valvoline Dot 4 for Advanced Auto.
I do mine on a regular basis on a daily driver (13k in 11 months). Did two cycles today and fluid looked pretty good. I not a fanatic, use Valvoline Dot 4 for Advanced Auto.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Thanks, I also found Ranger's detailed write-up, attached below:
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-dot-4-a.html
Altho many, if not most, used Prestone DOT 4 easily available at stores like Walmart, it's obvious from the above thread that Super DOT 4 usually has/can have a higher wet and dry boiling point. See posts 9, 10, 14, etc. JoeC5 has pushed his C6 pretty hard and had no adverse effects from Prestone DOT 4, as well as many others who've used it. Doesn't mean the GM spec is wrong or off, just a possible alternative to use.
Altho many, if not most, used Prestone DOT 4 easily available at stores like Walmart, it's obvious from the above thread that Super DOT 4 usually has/can have a higher wet and dry boiling point. See posts 9, 10, 14, etc. JoeC5 has pushed his C6 pretty hard and had no adverse effects from Prestone DOT 4, as well as many others who've used it. Doesn't mean the GM spec is wrong or off, just a possible alternative to use.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Do not use a turkey baster as the plastic might not be compatible with the brake fluid and can crumble, dumping brake fluid all over everything.
Use the MixMaster that can be found in the two cycle aisle/section at Walmart automotive dept. It is made to be used with petroleum products.
Use the MixMaster that can be found in the two cycle aisle/section at Walmart automotive dept. It is made to be used with petroleum products.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 109
Do not use a turkey baster as the plastic might not be compatible with the brake fluid and can crumble, dumping brake fluid all over everything.
Use the MixMaster that can be found in the two cycle aisle/section at Walmart automotive dept. It is made to be used with petroleum products.
Use the MixMaster that can be found in the two cycle aisle/section at Walmart automotive dept. It is made to be used with petroleum products.
Thank you for that info, but some might find it helpful to know it's not MixMaster, it's MixMizer. Much easier to find online under MixMizer.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 711
Likes: 200
Super dot 4 no longer available. now it"s GM brake and clutch fluid dot 4 comes in bigger bottle with little handle
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=46412
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50e&ukey=46412