Transmission Fluid

[-Alero-]

hey i got about 45,200 miles on me car, and i think its about time to change the tranny fluid and filter, and i was wondering if its alright to chnage to synthetic tranny fluid? or would anyone recommend a specific type of fluid?

[GooffeeAlero]

synthetic, but the next time you get it changed again you have to keep changing it to synthetic

You don't need to change it untill 100,000 miles unless you really abuse it. You can check the level and the fluid just by pulling the little plug on the side of the tranny. If something comes out, it's full. If it's still red and not gunky, it doesn't need to be changed. If you do change it, stick with what GM recommends.

[Fast Eddie]

All tranny fluid is syn. from the factory as well.

[-Alero-]

does the car have to be raised for me too look at the tranny level?

[Fast Eddie]

maybe on a jack but not a lift, at least on the 2.4 5-sp.

Originally posted by -Alero-@Mar 28 2005, 03:20 PM
does the car have to be raised for me too look at the tranny level?

Quoted post

yea it does.......i think the book mentions the car being on while your checking the level........but yea its up there a little bit.......

[Fast Eddie]

I would seriously doubt that. Most cars I've delat with before have a dipstick to check the tranny fluid. These do not so the only way to check it as lindseysue mentioned is via the fill hole so the car just needs to be raised, you can see how it would be difficult to haveit running as well.

you dont check it through the fill hole, not on the 3400.......theres a lil bolt screwed in horizontally near the bottom of the tranny, that you take out and if fluid starts pouring out a lot then theres too much but if hardly any just seeps out, maybe table spoons then you are good 2 go...........this is the same bolt i tapped into for tranny temp gauge......

and ur right, most cars ive dealt with have dip sticks but ours dont.......

ive changed the tranny fluid, drop the pan, 7 quarts will come spewing out, the gasket for the filter was a pain 2 get out, and you hafta be careful cause the housing its around is aluminum........throw the gasket and filter on, then the gasket for the pan and fill er up.......then check for leaks while you are pooring in, and then check the overflow when you are done.......

If the car is not running, to much fluid will run out of that hole. The car must be running.

hey overdrive i knew the car had to be running when checking but why, is there a pump pulling the fluid through the radiator and all the places and that keeps the level low enough for the fluid not to come seeping out?

You are basically correct, the converter needs to be full, and the cooler lines and all, trans fluid level is set with all that stuff, full and the only way to get it full is to have the engine running, driving the pump.

i get ya