See an AT Filter listed for the Cruze, GM part number 24267569, is the list price really $517.54 for this thing? Kind of use to paying 6 bucks for an AT filter, labor to replace it is listed at 3 hours. This could add up.
Fluid capacity is 8.45 quarts using DEXRON-VI AT fluid or equivalent. Runs around $4.00-$4.75 per quart so looking around 40 bucks just for the fluid.
For a complete change of AT fluid, been doing this myself. Typical open one of the coolant lines, run both into a container, and idle the engine, one of the hoses will pour the old stuff. Could also flush it out with a couple of new quarts, but this is when it was 30 cents a quart.
Cruze will be more of a problem, all four corners have to be blocked up so the car is level. Then the fluid has to be pumped in somehow through the side fill plug, should be filled to the top when cold. Was so much easier when they had a dipstick. Not sure if you can find a nipple to put in the fill hole, run a hose to the outside, and use a funnel. But with all this new BS, decided to get a manual.
Nothing beats a AT fluid cooler, not sure if the Cruze has one, 88 Supra sure does, but also and engine oil cooler and a PS pump cooler, you can imagine all the fun I had in changing the timing belt in this thing, all that stuff had to be removed.
Fluid loss in an AT can wreck these transmission in a hurry, hydraulic pressure get low, and clutches burn up like crazy.