2020 Chevy Equinox requires $131/quart fluid for transfer case!!

AZjeff

AZjeff

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I've been changing fluids in the 2020 1.5T AWD Equinox we bought recently. The gear oil spec'd by GM for the transfer case is AC Delco 10-4105 PTU Synthetic Lubricant that MSRPs for $131/quart. It's a GL-5 75W-90 oil. You can get it from Rock Auto for $73. And the t-case only calls for .53 quart. RA also lists Valvoline, Mobil 1, and Idemitsu synthetic gear oils as being compatible. Is there some ultra expensive additive that is required for something in this t-case that would make this stuff $130/quart? What were they thinking?

GM 10-4105
 
Interesting MSDS

https://www.rockauto.com/info/438/2576332_1_1224732447.pdf


1742006484545.webp
 
Not shocked. Similar spec fluid for 3rd Gen Tacoma transfer case was ~$80 last time I got one. Figure actual cost per mile is minute and risk of finding some aftermarket substitute based on internet hearsay is not worth the potential shorted T/C life.

Suggest suck it up, move on, consider it a cost of entry (Life is short; enjoy the good stuff).
 
Here is voa

L

Thread 'VOA-ACDelco 19351882 PTU lubricant'

ACDelco p/n 19351882 aka 10-4105 synthetic PTU lubricant used for my Buick Regal AWD. The PTU unit is made by AAM. Also used in the 2017+ Equinox etc from my research. I posted a DIY on changing the fluid on the Buick forum.

The bottle states it is a 75w-90 EP lubricant and has a list price of over $90/qt. I picked one up from my dealer for $55. The capacity is listed at 0.69qts. My goal of the VOA was to see if I could substitute a less-expensive commonly available gear lube. Thoughts...
 
I used Valvoline synthetic 75w90 in my 2021 equinox's T-case and rear diff. I did it ~20k miles ago. Currently has 51k on it.
 
Sounds like whatever they used in the B8 Audi A4 transfer cases. $120/qt due to some proprietary FM. Thankfully there's an aftermarket option for "only" $65/qt. If it was my car I'd get Gear 300 LS and call it a day.
 
And THIS is why I'm opposed to proprietary fluids and embrace universal or substitute fluids whenever possible.

On principle alone I'm unwilling to let manufacturers think you can just develop whatever fluid you want and the consumer is now a captive audience who will just blindly pay whatever you wish to charge.

It's like printer cartridges.....
 
Isn't that piece just a simple housing with a right angle drive set of gears and their associated bearings?
That's all my old awd Saturn Vue has.
All the 4wd actuation is in the rear differential module, isn't it?
 
AZjeff said:
Hi JTK. I wasn't ignoring your previous reply about using the Valvoline, just looking for more than 1 data point!
Click to expand...
I'm with you. The only other data points I've seen were just a few other 2018+ Equinox owners on other boards, who used normal off the shelf 75w90 as well. Not a lot of Equinox owners are into DIY fluid service it seems. That's where good'ol BITOG comes in handy as usual.

I did the same fluid swap with my 2021 Traverse, that shares the same style of AWD drivetrain, just larger scale.

Have you noticed the weird offset to the AWD drive line? On the 2018+ Equinox, the drive shaft(s) will look pretty badly misaligned from the output of the T-case, to the input of the rear carrier torque tube. It's done by design. The carrier bearing between the two-piece prop shaft it jogged over to the left. Not sure why they did it this way, but it freaked me out the first time I noticed it.

You also have your separate clutch fluid reservoir built into the rear carrier. I don't think GM lists any change interval for it. It has easy access drain and fill plugs. Pentosin 11s is supposedly what the fluid is. Quite a few guys in Traverse land have drained/filled this, but found it to be very clean looking with 50-60K+ miles on it.

I got back last night from a Buffalo to Columbia SC and back road trip with my Equinox. I spent a week down there. Like my Traverse, what an outstanding road trip vehicle my Equinox is. Loved it.
 
Last edited:
nascarnation said:
Isn't that piece just a simple housing with a right angle drive set of gears and their associated bearings?
That's all my old awd Saturn Vue has.
All the 4wd actuation is in the rear differential module, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Yes, the T-case is basically a right angle gear drive, with an electric shift fork style actuator that connects/disconnects the T-case with the front right CV shaft.

The rear end kicks in/out with an integrated wet clutch.
 
JTK said:
Yes, the T-case is basically a right angle gear drive, with an electric shift fork style actuator that connects/disconnects the T-case with the front right CV shaft.

The rear end kicks in/out with an integrated wet clutch.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the driveshaft is disconnected at both ends to decrease drag. And the 2 units are sourced from different makers from what I can find. The previous generation with the Haldex clutch unit at the diff had problems with sludge possibly from heat from the exhaust pipe nearby and would cook the pint of magic fluid.
 
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