DCT Transmission Drain - Amount
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
DCT Transmission Drain - Amount
I tried searching the forum but had no luck finding an answer and I'm hoping someone can give me an one. I have a 2021 Non Z51 Corvette. I have not added the xtra 2 quarts of trans fluid so I only have the original factory fill of 11.62 Quarts. My question is this....Has anyone measured the amount of trans fluid that actually comes out when you drain it? I know that some remains in the transmission but don't know how much. I've read that what drains is about 8.5 quarts and the rest remains in the transmission. Can someone confirm that for me. As you all know the trans fluid is expensive and I don't want to order more then I actually need. Thanks in advance...appreciate the info.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,269
Likes: 8,409
I tried searching the forum but had no luck finding an answer and I'm hoping someone can give me an one. I have a 2021 Non Z51 Corvette. I have not added the xtra 2 quarts of trans fluid so I only have the original factory fill of 11.62 Quarts. My question is this....Has anyone measured the amount of trans fluid that actually comes out when you drain it? I know that some remains in the transmission but don't know how much. I've read that what drains is about 8.5 quarts and the rest remains in the transmission. Can someone confirm that for me. As you all know the trans fluid is expensive and I don't want to order more then I actually need. Thanks in advance...appreciate the info.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 34
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta Motorsports Park
On a related note, I have a similar question re the fluid required when just changing the replacement DCT filter (vs OP's complete fluid change). The canister fluid volume appears to be somewhere around 12-16 oz (or ~ half liter). From comments above, one might conclude that the diff between a full fill (with canister filter replacement vs no filter replacement) was abt one half liter.
Does anyone know how much is needed to top off the DCT fluid after just the canister filter change?
When you get the free service, do they top off the DCT fluid?
Like many here, I will not accrue the mileage to hit 7500 miles in 2 yrs. (I likely wont even own the car for 7500 mi). After 5 months, deliberately running up the mileage for break-in, I have juts over 2000 miles and want to start tracking. I thought I would use the free service to change fluids before tracking but wondered if they top off the DCT fluid (esp with so much concern re fluid levels, tracking requirements, DCT issues, etc and the fact that topping off the DCT is not as simple/accessible as older cars).
As always, all input is appreciated.
PS (edit): My 70th HTC Z51 was build in mid Sept, so I believe it has the newer DCT pan which does not require the additional 2 L for tracking. FYI
Does anyone know how much is needed to top off the DCT fluid after just the canister filter change?
When you get the free service, do they top off the DCT fluid?
Like many here, I will not accrue the mileage to hit 7500 miles in 2 yrs. (I likely wont even own the car for 7500 mi). After 5 months, deliberately running up the mileage for break-in, I have juts over 2000 miles and want to start tracking. I thought I would use the free service to change fluids before tracking but wondered if they top off the DCT fluid (esp with so much concern re fluid levels, tracking requirements, DCT issues, etc and the fact that topping off the DCT is not as simple/accessible as older cars).
As always, all input is appreciated.
PS (edit): My 70th HTC Z51 was build in mid Sept, so I believe it has the newer DCT pan which does not require the additional 2 L for tracking. FYI
Last edited by tdzee; Feb 13, 2024 at 09:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1,108
From: Western Mass
They should top off but I suspect some don't. Don't think the small amount of fluid loss will mean anything for normal driving but I would top off if going on the track. I have the older style trans and added an additional two liters after the normal fill.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,715
Likes: 10,142
From: Garden Valley CA
The service procedure has you topping off the fluid and verifying the level after running through the gears when you change the DCT filter. So they will top it off if they follow the procedure. The problem with the track fill is you have to drain the fluid to the bottom of the side fill plug and then perform the track fill procedure if you want to replace the fluid lost during the DCT filter change so many people don't replace the fluid lost if they already have the track fill and aren't replacing the fluid.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 34
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta Motorsports Park
Since I have the newer DCT pan, I believe the extra 2 L are not relevant in my case and do not have that "buffer" for the replacement fluid. Your (RKCRLR) comments are what I expected (Thorough service techs will top off per procedure and others may not.)
I don't want to fool with topping off this little bit (or doing any work on this impossible dream, for that matter) , so I guess I will mention that it is expected to be topped off to the service guy when checking in for that work and hope for the best. I'd hate to have a DCT problem after tracking and they point to slightly low fluid level (caused by them, of course). Rollin' the bones.......
I don't want to fool with topping off this little bit (or doing any work on this impossible dream, for that matter) , so I guess I will mention that it is expected to be topped off to the service guy when checking in for that work and hope for the best. I'd hate to have a DCT problem after tracking and they point to slightly low fluid level (caused by them, of course). Rollin' the bones.......
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,715
Likes: 10,142
From: Garden Valley CA
Since I have the newer DCT pan, I believe the extra 2 L are not relevant in my case and do not have that "buffer" for the replacement fluid. Your (RKCRLR) comments are what I expected (Thorough service techs will top off per procedure and others may not.)
I don't want to fool with topping off this little bit (or doing any work on this impossible dream, for that matter) , so I guess I will mention that it is expected to be topped off to the service guy when checking in for that work and hope for the best. I'd hate to have a DCT problem after tracking and they point to slightly low fluid level (caused by them, of course). Rollin' the bones.......
I don't want to fool with topping off this little bit (or doing any work on this impossible dream, for that matter) , so I guess I will mention that it is expected to be topped off to the service guy when checking in for that work and hope for the best. I'd hate to have a DCT problem after tracking and they point to slightly low fluid level (caused by them, of course). Rollin' the bones.......
But if you don't track your car then it isn't needed.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 34
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta Motorsports Park
Not wanting to get crossways, but I did note that my car IS a late 2023 with new pan and I AM tracking it. FWIW
But you told me what I needed, which is that topping off after DCT cartridge replacement is, in fact, part of the procedure. Am now scheduled for next Tuesday at local (supposed C8 certified) dealer. Thx for the quick input.
But you told me what I needed, which is that topping off after DCT cartridge replacement is, in fact, part of the procedure. Am now scheduled for next Tuesday at local (supposed C8 certified) dealer. Thx for the quick input.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 2,323
From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
On a related note, I have a similar question re the fluid required when just changing the replacement DCT filter (vs OP's complete fluid change). The canister fluid volume appears to be somewhere around 12-16 oz (or ~ half liter). From comments above, one might conclude that the diff between a full fill (with canister filter replacement vs no filter replacement) was abt one half liter.
Does anyone know how much is needed to top off the DCT fluid after just the canister filter change?
When you get the free service, do they top off the DCT fluid?
Like many here, I will not accrue the mileage to hit 7500 miles in 2 yrs. (I likely wont even own the car for 7500 mi). After 5 months, deliberately running up the mileage for break-in, I have juts over 2000 miles and want to start tracking. I thought I would use the free service to change fluids before tracking but wondered if they top off the DCT fluid (esp with so much concern re fluid levels, tracking requirements, DCT issues, etc and the fact that topping off the DCT is not as simple/accessible as older cars).
As always, all input is appreciated.
PS (edit): My 70th HTC Z51 was build in mid Sept, so I believe it has the newer DCT pan which does not require the additional 2 L for tracking. FYI
Does anyone know how much is needed to top off the DCT fluid after just the canister filter change?
When you get the free service, do they top off the DCT fluid?
Like many here, I will not accrue the mileage to hit 7500 miles in 2 yrs. (I likely wont even own the car for 7500 mi). After 5 months, deliberately running up the mileage for break-in, I have juts over 2000 miles and want to start tracking. I thought I would use the free service to change fluids before tracking but wondered if they top off the DCT fluid (esp with so much concern re fluid levels, tracking requirements, DCT issues, etc and the fact that topping off the DCT is not as simple/accessible as older cars).
As always, all input is appreciated.
PS (edit): My 70th HTC Z51 was build in mid Sept, so I believe it has the newer DCT pan which does not require the additional 2 L for tracking. FYI
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,715
Likes: 10,142
From: Garden Valley CA
Not wanting to get crossways, but I did note that my car IS a late 2023 with new pan and I AM tracking it. FWIW
But you told me what I needed, which is that topping off after DCT cartridge replacement is, in fact, part of the procedure. Am now scheduled for next Tuesday at local (supposed C8 certified) dealer. Thx for the quick input.
But you told me what I needed, which is that topping off after DCT cartridge replacement is, in fact, part of the procedure. Am now scheduled for next Tuesday at local (supposed C8 certified) dealer. Thx for the quick input.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,269
Likes: 8,409
Not wanting to get crossways, but I did note that my car IS a late 2023 with new pan and I AM tracking it. FWIW
But you told me what I needed, which is that topping off after DCT cartridge replacement is, in fact, part of the procedure. Am now scheduled for next Tuesday at local (supposed C8 certified) dealer. Thx for the quick input.
But you told me what I needed, which is that topping off after DCT cartridge replacement is, in fact, part of the procedure. Am now scheduled for next Tuesday at local (supposed C8 certified) dealer. Thx for the quick input.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 34
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta Motorsports Park
Armed with info from here, I mentioned topping off DCT to the service rep to inquire if it was included in the free service. She said definitively yes. However, as also suggested here, I will make them note it on the docs when I check in (paper trail). This is my first service engagement with this car and am rather anxious (shouldn't have to be, but there are just too many horror stories to go around for even simple stuff like this). Thx all.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,715
Likes: 10,142
From: Garden Valley CA
Armed with info from here, I mentioned topping off DCT to the service rep to inquire if it was included in the free service. She said definitively yes. However, as also suggested here, I will make them note it on the docs when I check in (paper trail). This is my first service engagement with this car and am rather anxious (shouldn't have to be, but there are just too many horror stories to go around for even simple stuff like this). Thx all.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,521
It has been reported that the filter change requires about 6 oz of fluid added to top it back up to the bottom of the fill plug.
For those who HAVE added the extra 2 liters of fluid, I wouldn't worry about topping up. You've still got 60 extra oz of the 66 oz added.
For those who HAVE added the extra 2 liters of fluid, I wouldn't worry about topping up. You've still got 60 extra oz of the 66 oz added.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,269
Likes: 8,409
Yeah. If you are actually tracking, you will be replacing the fluid every 24 hours anyway, so its a small loss. If not tracking, then you did not really need that track fill anyway, so the loss at a filter change every 22,500 is negligible anyway, since the fluid gets change every 45K miles (or 3 years, etc.))