diesel1218

Hi so I have read a ton of threads about this notchy shifting when the engine is cold. A lot seems to be around the cold weather and everyone claims this is normal. I just got my C7 with 3K miles on it and have about 5K on it now. My notchy shifting doesn't seem to have anything to do with cold weather just cold starts. It is worse when the car sits at work all day and I go to drive home in the evening. Seems to take about 15-20 minutes to get warm then the shifting improves. Is this really normal? Should I be taking into a dealer to have it looked at.

Some people have recommended changing the transmission fluid. Does this void the warranty? Any advice would be much appreciated.

srsvette

Just had mine changed with Delco trans fluid. Shifting is better.

diesel1218

Did you have it changed through Chevy/GM?

dbaker

This has been talked about many times.Do a search and you'll find lot's of info.

Every Tremec I've driven has the 1-2 "nibble" when cold.Normal.

I changed my fluid at 700 miles and found it was about 1/3 qt low.

That and a full fill of Amsoil made mine better.

\db2

diesel1218

dbaker

Any fluid that meets the GM specs should be fine.

\db2

cowboy casey

My Tremac was in a 2015 Camaro 1LE, I changed to redline at 500 miles and was rewarded with a much better shift... Between that and the recommendation to shift like you mean it going into second worked perfect for me... Daily drove mine down to -10 temps and went into second no issues...

As for the warranty my dealer put it in so I had no problems there...

https://www.redlineoil.com/d4-atf

RyanC7

I have the D4 Redline ATF waiting to be installed along with my MGW shifter this weekend. Should fix it all.

TEXHAWK0

I have friends that tried to correct shifting problems by going to full synthetic trans fluid, and it did not improve, so they went back to the GM fluid...I would stay with the GM fluid on both the transmission and differential.

ersatz928

To keep the warrantee, you must use fluid that is independently tested/certified to meet the OEM lubricaton requirements. Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple.... might be good products, but they are not independently tested/certified.

dbirdhouse1

and it's better, not totally eliminated but better for the first 10 - 15 minutes until the fluid temp hits it's operating range.

Internets_Ninja

It's normal. Don't switch to a synthetic fluid or it will get worse.

Avanti

Well, there you have it... read any of the posts, then do whatever you want. I read all the same stuff when I first got my C5 17 years ago.

Seriously, though, I'd suggest checking with GM regarding anything non-GM you might opt to go with. All the best, in any event.

Al Engel

The cold fluid 'nibble' drove me nuts. To shift smooth, when tranny was cold, has to pause for a moment in neutral before moving into 2nd or 3rd. Once fluid was warm, could shift as fast and hard as you want. I switched to Royal Purple Syncromax and the cold fluid shiftability is much improved.

Al Engel "Save the Wave"

VinceBlack

OP, I had this very issue on my '16 Stingray. Very rough shift from 1-2 even when the car was at normal operating temperature. I purchased and installed a MGW shifter and it took care of about 95% of the problem. Rear diffs in these cars are notorious for coming from the factory about 1/2 low on fluid so check that as well.