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I have read a few threads where "two extra" quarts of transmission fluid have been added to the DCT to the tune of $500+. Is this something owners are just having done on their own or is it a maintenance/operational requirement. I must have missed the discussion on this subject. Thanks.
I have read a few threads where "two extra" quarts of transmission fluid have been added to the DCT to the tune of $500+. Is this something owners are just having done on their own or is it a maintenance/operational requirement. I must have missed the discussion on this subject. Thanks.
I believe the thread you are referring is a bad example That guy got conned by his dealership. You ONLY add the two additional quarts if you are tracking the car. No need for street/canyon driving. And remember, do not take your car to a track day until it has over 1500 miles on it. The DCT needs 1500 miles to break in in properly for track days.
Last edited by CitznFish; Jan 20, 2021 at 08:26 PM.
Thanks. If that is the requirement for tracking then so be it. I don't quite understand why they would design it that way and I wonder if other manufacturers with DCT require that. Thanks for the reply!
Last edited by Bigredwing; Jan 20, 2021 at 11:10 PM.
Thanks. If that is the requirement for tracking then so be it. I don't quite understand why they would design it that way and I wonder if other manufacturers with DCT require that. Thanks for the reply!
In normal driving there isn't the high g load and sloshing like on a track, plus more fluid can control temperatures easier too. Why they do it, if their cost is $20 a quart ($50 at the parts counter) and 98% 0f the owners don't track the car so it would be a waste to do it, then apply math. $20 a quart x say 50,000 cars = two million dollars that didn't need to be spent.
Thanks. If that is the requirement for tracking then so be it. I don't quite understand why they would design it that way and I wonder if other manufacturers with DCT require that. Thanks for the reply!
Tadge said there is a small but measurable mpg loss with the extra 2 quarts. It also does cost extra money for 95% of Vette owners that don't need and they would add to the price (also Tadge's statement that they have found only ~5% of folks Track their cars. He did say a higher percentage on enthusiasts websites- like some of these.)
I do wonder why folks think adding 2 extra quarts for street use is advisable. Tremec has the fluid level check without the added 2 quarts. Add two extra quarts and you can't check the level. So at every filter change have no way to add what fluid is lost except to measure what drained, remove the whole Trunk liner and air filter to get to the plug on the top of the DCT to fill. A PIA and you will pay a dealer more labor than the fluid cost!
Yep fits what we face in our industry, "If Some Is Good, More Must Be Better! Can't tell a welder that shielding gas flow much over what is recommended causes turbulence, air entrainment, inferior weld quality and waste! Many know better! "If Some Is Good, More Must Be Better!
Tadge said there is a small but measurable mpg loss with the extra 2 quarts. It also does cost extra money for 95% of Vette owners that don't need and they would add to the price (also Tadge's statement that they have found only ~5% of folks Track their cars. He did say a higher percentage on enthusiasts websites- like some of these.)
I do wonder why folks think adding 2 extra quarts for street use is advisable. Tremec has the fluid level check without the added 2 quarts. Add two extra quarts and you can't check the level. So at every filter change have no way to add what fluid is lost except to measure what drained, remove the whole Trunk liner and air filter to get to the plug on the top of the DCT to fill. A PIA and you will pay a dealer more labor than the fluid cost!
Yep fits what we face in our industry, "If Some Is Good, More Must Be Better! Can't tell a welder that shielding gas flow much over what is recommended causes turbulence, air entrainment, inferior weld quality and waste! Many know better! "If Some Is Good, More Must Be Better!
There has to be a specific angle (raise drivers side) at which the extra 2 quart fluid level would be at the bottom of the fill plug, another thread showed 13 degrees.
So the procedure to find specific angle would be:
1. On level ground pull fill plug and check fluid level is correct for factory fill.
2. Raise side of car that fill plug is on.
3. Add the extra 2 quarts.
4. Lower car until fluid level is at bottom of fill plug, then replace fill plug.
5. With a Digital Level, record the angle at the bottom of transmission for future reference when checking "Track Fill" fluid level.
After the specific angle is known, checking "Track Fill" fluid level is just a matter of raising the car and getting transmission at the correct angle.
And lets face it, if you are tracking the car, you probably already have what you need to accomplish this task.
HTH
P.S. After determining the correct angle, I would etch it into the side of trans (next to fill plug) for future reference.
Thanks! Lots of good info here and also in in a thread I found posted on Jan 14th by MagicGlass (found after I started this). Now I'm wondering if some entrepreneur will come up with a reservoir similar to a dry sump system making the process easier? Probably not, but as I have seen over the years we have obsessed over much smaller problems.
Last edited by Bigredwing; Jan 21, 2021 at 11:13 AM.
There has to be a specific angle (raise drivers side) at which the extra 2 quart fluid level would be at the bottom of the fill plug, another thread showed 13 degrees.
So the procedure to find specific angle would be:
1. On level ground pull fill plug and check fluid level is correct for factory fill.
2. Raise side of car that fill plug is on.
3. Add the extra 2 quarts.
4. Lower car until fluid level is at bottom of fill plug, then replace fill plug.
5. With a Digital Level, record the angle at the bottom of transmission for future reference when checking "Track Fill" fluid level.
After the specific angle is known, checking "Track Fill" fluid level is just a matter of raising the car and getting transmission at the correct angle.
And lets face it, if you are tracking the car, you probably already have what you need to accomplish this task.
HTH
P.S. After determining the correct angle, I would etch it into the side of trans (next to fill plug) for future reference.
Yep that was my post with just a suggestion to avoid the complex procedure to add 2 quarts. No one knows what that angle might be. Was just trying to show a way to fill without all the complexity!
In fact thought the idea from another poster was a good easier way (lower pic which is also mine but from his idea!) Simple way to add 2 quarts without removing anything! Just use funnel on hose end passed up into engine compartment from fluid check plug.
In normal driving there isn't the high g load and sloshing like on a track, plus more fluid can control temperatures easier too. Why they do it, if their cost is $20 a quart ($50 at the parts counter) and 98% 0f the owners don't track the car so it would be a waste to do it, then apply math. $20 a quart x say 50,000 cars = two million dollars that didn't need to be spent.
Thanks Phil, I was about to say just about the same thing. You beat me to it. I'm glad I read through most of this thread first.
You are exactly right. It really isn't a performance issue, as much as a financial one. Just don't track it without the additional fluid.
Hey Jerry, your car is tilting the wrong way, you'll be dumping fluid out, the level plug is on the drivers side!
Yep has to be the other way!
Actually just testing to see who is awake!
I posted that as a way to fill NOT to measure level. Still think the fellow who came up with the idea of using a small valve was best. I just added a plug when completed in case the valve were to open!
Is checking the fluid level done with engine running?
Nope. the DCT fluid level is checked like the C7 dry sump! The trans fluid must be at temp. Have to run it through all gears to have all valves AND the dual clutch cavity filled. Then shut off the engine and have to check the level within 5 minutes or excess fluid will leave the clutch cavity and you'll get a high reading! In the case of the C7 dry sump you'd get a low reading since the dip stick was in the dry sump tank!
Sounds like a 2 person job at the dealer doing in on a lift. One in the car heating up the fluid and running through the gears and one underneath getting their hands burned removing the plug and checking!
Thanks. If that is the requirement for tracking then so be it. I don't quite understand why they would design it that way and I wonder if other manufacturers with DCT require that. Thanks for the reply!
Because adding 2 extra liters to every DCT, when only about 1 - 2% will ever see a track, would cost GM a million dollars a year (if they could max out production).
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DCT Fluid Level Question
