No link?
Transmission fluid change
- Thread starter tk6214
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No link?
Blue Moon Sonic
New member
Auto trans fluid change/flush procedure, Click here. I followed this same procedure when I replaced my transmission and needed to flush and fill. Though, I'm going to be doing this again when the trans cooler goes in.
So to revisit this. I'm at 111,111 miles and have not changed my fluid... No time/money
Going to this site I see that it has a filter. I spoke with my local dealer and they said it doesn't have a filter... I call bs.
If you look at this video they are taking a 6T40 Automatic transmission apart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIs0FIuYQk4
https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/ch...ent/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Mar/0322_sonic.html
Full tear down here https://youtu.be/TIs0FIuYQk4?t=1858
Going to this site I see that it has a filter. I spoke with my local dealer and they said it doesn't have a filter... I call bs.
If you look at this video they are taking a 6T40 Automatic transmission apart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIs0FIuYQk4
https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/ch...ent/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Mar/0322_sonic.html
Full tear down here https://youtu.be/TIs0FIuYQk4?t=1858
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I had mine done at 50k at the dealership. 13’ 1.4 RS Auto. Cost was $200+tax and they hooked it up to the pump machine and cycled it through. I know this because I asked how they do it and they were pretty sloppy with the fluid. My engine compartment is pretty clean and the I could see the hoses they messed with due to the poor clean-up job they did.
I was wondering if it was worth to take to a dealer to do it. I may have to bite the bullet and just do it.
JTee2017
Well-known member
The automatic T35/T40 transmission fluid change isn't difficult. There are 2 or 3 Chevy Cruze Youtube videos that are good at showing it . and the link earleir that also shows a way to pull the transmission cooler line and drain/fill at the same time. The later will use less fluid and be drain all the old fluid out.
The alternative is to drain and fill 3 times. It should drain about 5.3 quarts out of each WARM fluid drain. The drive it a few hours or days, and repeat 2 more times. You need to cycle through P,N,D,L and pause in each position after ANY fluid change method.
I did the drain and fill twice on a 2014 Sonic automatic. The important thing is. . . after you are through, check that fluid just drips out a bit of the side fluid level port when the fluid is good ad warmed up and the car must be on a level surface. So you will likely have to jack the car up. . . loosen the level checking port bolt, lower the car and then remove the bolt and see if you get that slight drip.
It sounds complicated, but it is pretty simple and easy.
I am going to change my automatic trans fluid today (I have 48K miles). I am a little bit confused from this thread.
According to a couple posts in this thread, if I simply unplug the drain plug and drain out the old fluid, not all of the fluid will drain out? How much fluid will not drain out?
I watched a couple of youtube videos on Sonic ATF change and they say nothing about that.
I bought AC Delco Dexron VI 10-9395, $35.47 for 1 gallon on Amazon.
According to a couple posts in this thread, if I simply unplug the drain plug and drain out the old fluid, not all of the fluid will drain out? How much fluid will not drain out?
I watched a couple of youtube videos on Sonic ATF change and they say nothing about that.
I bought AC Delco Dexron VI 10-9395, $35.47 for 1 gallon on Amazon.
I drained the ATF and then poured it into empty milk cartons to measure it. It looked like 1.2 gallons, so I poured about 1.15 gallons of new fluid in. The old fluid was opaque black and the new fluid was clear translucent red. I drove it around slowly for about 3 miles and then went back onto my flat driveway and kept the engine running and removed the tire to get at the side level bolt but that thing was such a pain in the a$$ to get at so I put 2 extensions on my drill and fished it thru and unscrewed it (side bolt is an 11mm just like the bottom drain plug). My extensions were 15 inches total and the second one was a flexible extension and it made it way easier to get the side level bolt out.
I was expecting no fluid to leak out and I was expecting to have to top it up but to my surprise a lot of fluid poured out and made a mess on the driveway. The fluid that poured out was dark opaque black just like the old 48000 mile fluid that I drained out... how could that be since I just filled it with 1.15 gallons of brand new red clear fluid???
I guess the previous owner overfilled it or it came that way new from the dealer.
I was expecting no fluid to leak out and I was expecting to have to top it up but to my surprise a lot of fluid poured out and made a mess on the driveway. The fluid that poured out was dark opaque black just like the old 48000 mile fluid that I drained out... how could that be since I just filled it with 1.15 gallons of brand new red clear fluid???
I guess the previous owner overfilled it or it came that way new from the dealer.
I drained the ATF and then poured it into empty milk cartons to measure it. It looked like 1.2 gallons, so I poured about 1.15 gallons of new fluid in. The old fluid was opaque black and the new fluid was clear translucent red. I drove it around slowly for about 3 miles and then went back onto my flat driveway and kept the engine running and removed the tire to get at the side level bolt but that thing was such a pain in the a$$ to get at so I put 2 extensions on my drill and fished it thru and unscrewed it (side bolt is an 11mm just like the bottom drain plug). My extensions were 15 inches total and the second one was a flexible extension and it made it way easier to get the side level bolt out.
I was expecting no fluid to leak out and I was expecting to have to top it up but to my surprise a lot of fluid poured out and made a mess on the driveway. The fluid that poured out was dark opaque black just like the old 48000 mile fluid that I drained out... how could that be since I just filled it with 1.15 gallons of brand new red clear fluid???
I guess the previous owner overfilled it or it came that way new from the dealer.
Automatics have like 6 quarts?
csmans.com has the spec and the procedure.
TurtleOverlord
Active member
I was expecting no fluid to leak out and I was expecting to have to top it up but to my surprise a lot of fluid poured out and made a mess on the driveway.
What are you using to check transmission temperature?
It needs to be between 185-203F to get a correct level.
I didn't look at transmission temperature... I have an Ultragauge, I will see if I can read the temperature on it.
But why would my brand new fluid come out opaque black after only driving 3 miles? Is it that dirty inside the transmission??
TurtleOverlord
Active member
See this post about changing the Tdata value on the ultragauge mx for Trans temp if you have issues
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...ra-gauge-mx-1-3-transmission-temperature.html
I changed mine and it came out pretty red 25K later... Maybe just different brand?
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...ra-gauge-mx-1-3-transmission-temperature.html
I changed mine and it came out pretty red 25K later... Maybe just different brand?
TurtleOverlord
Active member
I dont think I usually hit that high driving normally unless its like 1+ hour on the highway.
I put mine in D with the ebrake on to heat mine up.
I can check how long it takes later...
TurtleOverlord
Active member
After my drive home, which is about 50 min on back roads averaging probably 2k rpm the temp was 165F
After 10 min in D with the Ebrake and wheels chocked it reached 185F
I did not wait to see if it would reach the upper limit, but it stayed around 185 for at least 5 min.
After 10 min in D with the Ebrake and wheels chocked it reached 185F
I did not wait to see if it would reach the upper limit, but it stayed around 185 for at least 5 min.
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JTee2017
Well-known member
Many say doing the "e-brake" thing is bad on the tranny.
Just to raise the temperature, I wouldn't do it . ..
It doesn't hurt to over fill ( a little) for a short time, drive the car for an hour in warm summer weather, and then check the level and let whatever drains out.
If it does not drain any out . . . then simply add some while it is still warm. Likely won't need to add more than a few ounces if any.
This is how I did the 2014 we had.
Just to raise the temperature, I wouldn't do it . ..
It doesn't hurt to over fill ( a little) for a short time, drive the car for an hour in warm summer weather, and then check the level and let whatever drains out.
If it does not drain any out . . . then simply add some while it is still warm. Likely won't need to add more than a few ounces if any.
This is how I did the 2014 we had.
TurtleOverlord
Active member
Bad on the tranny?
That is normal driving conditions, just keeping it there for longer building up heat which is probably the concern.
Except that is exactly what you want in this situation.
That is normal driving conditions, just keeping it there for longer building up heat which is probably the concern.
Except that is exactly what you want in this situation.
TurtleOverlord
Active member
On my way home from work right now,
There was an accident on the only road going through town .
I have easily been stopped for three or four minutes a few times now
My transmission is at 185f right now
And I’m guessing 99% of people in this traffic jam are not putting their car in neutral
That’s what normal driving is and what cars are built for
There was an accident on the only road going through town .
I have easily been stopped for three or four minutes a few times now
My transmission is at 185f right now
And I’m guessing 99% of people in this traffic jam are not putting their car in neutral
That’s what normal driving is and what cars are built for
JTee2017
Well-known member
You are missing the point. Some advocate the practice of e-braking and stepping on the gas pedal at he the SAME time to warm up the fluid. When you said "e-brake with the transmission in drive" that is what many might think you meant. NOT good to do. . . get it?
Yes .. . but not e-braking AND stepping on the gas pedal at the same time to warm up the transmission fluid which is what I have said twice now. Re-read my posts. You mentioned the e-brake thing now yo are switching to "normal driving". Two different things.
Stop and idling in gear is normal in traffic. No disagreement with that. Just not stepping on the gas at the same time as braking.
Not normal to use e-brake and gas pedal in gear at all.
Bad on tranny clutches. Glazes them . . wears them.
Glazing can result in a very short time e-braking.
I've seen clutch surfaces turned blue from e-braking . Not good.
But it's your tranny . ..
Plus, as I also said. . you can just verify fluid level after changing it with normal driving for awhile. It it drips out a little is fine. If none drips out after a good hot drive in summer. . . add some fluid till it does. Have done thins many times. They sure don't do this when they do an initial tranny fluid fill at the factory. They just fill it with the known capacity amount.
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