How-To: Cruze Gen 2 Transmission Fluid Change

18264 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by fgaleano, 4 mo ago

Mannyaplus11

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2020

I just uploaded a series of how to videos on YouTube on how to change the transmission fluid. While I was researching our 6T35 transmission, I discovered that the filter is buried deep in the transmission and the only way to change it is to remove the transmission. Since this is so difficult, it makes sense to change the fluid more often than the recommended 50,000 miles. There is a series of 6 solenoids whose screens would clog if you wait too long and the result is codes and transmission problems.
The procedure is actually very easy and requires simple tools to accomplish. The fluid is Dexron 6 and is readily available at Walmart or any parts store.
The entire process was only about 45 minutes. Mostly due to set up. Next time will probably be about 20 minutes. I plan on doing this every 15k miles. Probably overkill but at $17/gall on, its cheap insurance.

Search YouTube under the title of this post. It’s in 4 parts only because I didn’t want to take the time to string them into 1 video.

Reactions: 5

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CRUZE-66

· #2 · Apr 25, 2020

Thanks for researching the 6T35. I haven't done any drain and fills yet but this spring I plan to start on my '17 for the exact reasons you've stated.
Before I do stuff like this for the first time I try and find out as much as possible what I'm dealing with so this will help a lot.

Lawzbryan

· #3 · Jun 28, 2020

Great video I used it. I have done 2 flushes in a row I may do a 3rd one today not sure. I would say I am good for another 20k. Like you said once every 15k should be great. I may do one every 10k $17 plus the cost of 1 extra quart is a no brainier compared to a transmission replacement.

DerekStoc

· #4 · Oct 8, 2020

Wouldn't this method overfill the transmission with fluid because the transmission fluid needs to be at a specific temperature and the vehicle needs to be level to properly use the fill hole? If you fill it under a certain temperature you will need more fluid as it expands when hot.

Ma v e n

· #5 · Oct 8, 2020

If the transmission fluid is at the proper level when you start it will be at proper level when you are done doing a simple drain and fill, AS LONG AS....the fluid in the trans, and the fluid you fill it back up with are the SAME TEMP.

If you do this with the trans hot you'll end up over filling the transmission.

Av8er1555

· #6 · Nov 2, 2020

So if you started with the trans at room temp, drained and refilled the same amount it should be good right?

Reactions: 1

Ma v e n

· #7 · Nov 2, 2020

Av8er1555 said:
So if you started with the trans at room temp, drained and refilled the same amount it should be good right?

Yup.

Blasirl

· #8 · Nov 8, 2020

modalita

· #9 · Dec 27, 2020

Great set of videos. I had no idea this was so easy to do.

modalita

· #10 · Jan 14, 2021

So I followed the instructions by @MannyAPlus to do the transmission fluid change and 2 things I've never seen in the history of trans fluid changes happened.

First off, when I opened the fill plug I had transmission fluid shoot out the side! I'm guessing overfilled at the dealer? I have a lift so the car was level and the car was cold (it was 30 degrees out).

Secondly, I could only get 4 quarts in of the new stuff before fill hole started to show full.

Test drive went okay. Trans shifted MUCH smoother at 40K miles.

Reactions: 1

Ma v e n

· #11 · Jan 14, 2021

If you open the "fill plug" as you call it (it's actually the level check plug) on the side of the trans with the engine off, fluid is supposed to come out.

You say you put 4qts back in. But is that how much cold fluid you took out?

modalita

· #12 · Jan 15, 2021

Ma v e n said:
If you open the "fill plug" as you call it (it's actually the level check plug) on the side of the trans with the engine off, fluid is supposed to come out.

You say you put 4qts back in. But is that how much cold fluid you took out?

Sorry, butchered that. You are correct- the fluid shot out the "level" plug.

I have no idea how much came out- at the garage we have these Rolling Oil Drain Pans we used.

The other observation is that after 4 years the screws you put in the drain and level plugs were fairly rusted.

modalita

· #13 · Jan 26, 2021

If you want to order new drain plugs they are super cheap: (under $3 a piece). The part number is 8654382. It's the same part number for drain and level plugs.

Reactions: 1

threeleggedcow

· #14 · Feb 20, 2022

Mannyaplus11 said:
I plan on doing this every 15k miles. Probably overkill but at $17/gall on, its cheap insurance.

Search YouTube under the title of this post. It’s in 4 parts only because I didn’t want to take the time to string them into 1 video.

It's definitely overkill and a waste of money. You only do a transmission fluid change at 45K to avoid a complete flush later down the road. Since you're only purging roughly 1/3 of the fluid you're basically flushing it every 135k. If you're so worried about clogging solenoids (which makes no sense) you're better off repeating your change 3 or 4 times in a row at the same time rather than doing it every 15k miles.

Also, in your video your car isn't level when you're filling it back up. Your car is on ramps which will cause your levels to be lower than they should due to the fact that the level plug is pointed downwards.

Blasirl

· #15 · Feb 20, 2022

threeleggedcow said:
It's definitely overkill and a waste of money. You only do a transmission fluid change at 45K to avoid a complete flush later down the road. Since you're only purging roughly 1/3 of the fluid you're basically flushing it every 135k. If you're so worried about clogging solenoids (which makes no sense) you're better off repeating your change 3 or 4 times in a row at the same time rather than doing it every 15k miles.

Also, in your video your car isn't level when you're filling it back up. Your car is on ramps which will cause your levels to be lower than they should due to the fact that the level plug is pointed downwards.

Welcome Aboard!

You would have a better chance of getting your points across on youtube as the OP has not been online here for ten months.

Don't forget to introduce yourself and your Cruze here.

fgaleano

· #16 · 4 mo ago

Hi guys is really nice to see this kind of talk on the web , my name is fred and i from Argentina, around here no one knows about this kind of thing also gm is like snake oil about this subjet . i have a chevy cruze gen2 AT with 37 thousand miles and i trying to figure this out if i need to change rigth now the Transmission Fluid or i can wait another 15k milles or so . i will try to do it for my self since i saw this awesome tutorial .

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