2023 Traverse 9 speed question

[zogg]

My 2023 traverse has 33,000 miles and I’m going to change the atf next week

The owners manual says dexron vi, but I’ve seen a lot of folks using Mobil 1 HP dexron, “blue label”. My research indicates that the GM dealers use the Mobil HP from bulk no name barrels to do flushes.

It was supposedly developed for the 8 speed with shutter issues but a revised 2024 tsb includes the 2022 & 2023 9 speed.

Anyway, are folks using the non-dexron vi and instead using the Mobil 1 HP Dexron? Anyone able to share any long term experience with it in the 9 speed? There is a guy on the traverse forum that has used it for 20,000 miles without issue. What about warranty with non-recommended atf according to the owners manual?

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

I’m not an oem only guy but dexron products both in the multi vehicle variety and licensed are cheap and plentiful. My mother in law’s blazer 9 speed has 2 max life d&f with max life and has never been smoother. If you’re going to drop the big bucks I’d argue that an amsoil or hpl would be the more studied option for your transmission.

TLDR: pick something red that says dex vi and run it

 

[GMBoy]

Your transmission calls for Dexron 6. You can run a Dexron 6 or even Valvoline MaxLife. I would not run the Mobil 1 HP fluid that was for the 8/10 speeds with shudder. I had a Silverado 6 speed that the customer wanted to upgrade to the Mobil 1 HP fluid. We did it and it immediately shifted strange. It was bad. We flushed it all out and put dexron 6 back in and all was well. Not saying this will happen in your case - but if GM wanted that fluid in the 9 speed - well it would be in it. I double checked the service manual and it says Dexron 6. Just use that with smart drain/fill intervals and you will be good!

 

[Surfdog4]

I have been running Valvoline MaxLife in my 2018 Traverse for probably 2 years now. Started having the "shudder" problem and read about some folks having success by changing the ATF. I had been successful with using Valvoline MaxLife in my old 2000 Odyssey (it was the only substitute for Honda ATF at the time) and it said it was OK for Dexron VI, so i used it. Fixed the shudder problem and have had no issues since .....just be aware that you need to change it 2-3 times, you will get 6 quarts out with each change. I changed it 2 times on the initial run, then again at the next oil change, now I change it every 2-3 oil changes or so. 94k miles. BTW, that old Odyssey went on to over 300k miles with the same transmission..so Valvoline MaxLife was OK

 

[zogg]

It’s interesting and a bit confusing. On this site folks recommend Valvoline MaxLife, which I’ve used in the past and I know is good quality, or Dexron VI and not to use Mobil 1 Dexron blue label.

Then, on the Traverse forum, Valvoline MaxLife is a no-no, and Dexron VI is not the best for the 9 speed with a TSB putting the 9 speed in the same category as the 8 speed. But, they highly recommend the Mobil 1 had blue label. Some have used it trouble free for 20,000+ miles.

So….what to do?? Ugh

 

[zogg]

GM has issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to transmission shudder in various models, including the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse, which often require a transmission flush using Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP (commonly referred to as "blue label" fluid) to resolve torque converter shudder. [1, 2, 3]
Here are the key details regarding this TSB and transmission service:

• The Problem: Some 2023 Traverse owners may experience a shudder, vibration, or "rumble strip" feeling at cruising speeds, often caused by torque converter clutch slippage.
• The Remedy: TSBs (such as 20-NA-142 or related updates) require a special 20-quart flush to remove old fluid and replace it with the blue label Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP (Part # 19417577).
• Recommendation: This procedure is intended for vehicles with 50,000 km (30,000 miles) or less to fix transmission issues.
• Why it Matters: The new, lower-viscosity fluid is designed to improve transmission performance and fix the shudder issue, according to dealer reports and related forum discussions.

 

[JTK]

As @zogg said, many owners in the Traverse boards swear by Mobil-1 synthetic blue label ATF for the 9T65E transmissionmission in the 2018-2023 (gotta be the blue label. Not black, etc).

I have had Valvoline Maxlife in my 2021 Traverse for about 40K miles. I did it's first series of drain/fills at ~32K miles. It's currently got about 75K miles on it. I also ordered a Votex magnetic drain plug for the transmission. There's always a little metallic goo on it. It's a tiny little drain plug. Having one is more of a curiosity thing for me. It's a ~6qt drain/fill on my 2021. I've never used the level check plug/procedure. Drain/fills are easier than an engine oil change on these vehicles.

 

[NYEngineer]

My wife's 2021 Traverse had 95,000 miles on it when I took it to pick my son up at college for winter break. I normally don't drive it so when it was shuttering on the highway I thought oh good. What now? She would never pick up on something like that. My son got in the car and noticed it immediately. Few days later I brought it to the shop I've been using for years. He gave me two scenarios, one was flush it and see how it goes. The other involved flashing the transmission but not all of them can be flashed or whatever he said. I remember the flash option cost twice as much as it was a full service and a flash. Next day I pick the car up and it was around 350. The flush did the trick. Car feels awesome. I wasn't aware this was a widespread thing until I spoke with Pat, the shop owner.

 

[Stimp]

I just flushed the 9spd in my parents 2019 Enclave at 50k mi. Pull the c-clip from the upper ATF cooler line at the top driver's side of the radiator with a small hook and it pops right out. 3/8" OD poly tubing plugs into the radiator and you can run the fluid into a bucket. It took 12qts to clear it up. Very easy, quick, and mess free, I used Valvoline Extended Protection and it shifts great. Here's a pic of flushing my LaCrosse w/6spd.

2011 Buick LaCrosse 120k mi, 50k on current fluid.

Cooler flush w/2qts Havoline Multi Vehicle synthetic, 3qts AC Delco Dex VI Synthetic, 4qts Redline D6, 9oz Lubegard Red.

View attachment 295661

 

[repairman54]

Mobil 1 blue label LV HP in my '20 Traverse 9 speed. Zero issues with it. Just spill and fills.
Do it every 30 - 35k miles for maximum longevity of the transmission.
I don't do transmission. line flushing as running pumps low / dry is no Bueno IMO. If its really dirty a couple back to back spills and fills are quick and easy. Put back in the amount that drains out if no dipstick.

 

[CleanSump]

There is a procedure to measure by the drip @ temp method. If just putting back the amount that came out, how would you know the level was correct when you drained it? That's like draining your radiator then just filling back up with the amount that was in the pan without checking if it's low, full, or over.

 

[repairman54]

If its not leaking and operating fine when it comes to non dipstick transmission. measure what comes out and put back in. Add a couple extra oz. for what clings to containers. Transmission fluid doesn't get consumed like engine oil nor evaporate.
Sight plug, getting temp up to spec, and level vehicle is a major PITA without a lift for DIY'ers. Multiple 200k mile plus transmission. under my belt doing it this way. Even with a lift hot fluids, tight clearances', exhaust pipes, etc. its still a PITA.
I equate this to adding engine oil to get to max. line when in-between at the center hash marks is a normal operating range. Hence min. and max.

 

[CleanSump]

People report low initial fills on their first spill and fill. You don't know unless you measure.

 

[zogg]

I decided to switch to the Mobil 1 HD Dexron this week. A shop wants $350 to flush the transmission completely and I don’t have the equipment to do it myself. But, I feel that leaving the old Dexron vi in the transmission defeats the purpose of switching.

So, my plan is:
—drain and fill and drive 10 miles
—drain and fill and drive another 10 miles
—drain and fill and call it done.

According to chat gtp, that will eliminate about 90% of the Dex 6…I think I can live with that. Then I’ll do continual drain and fills about every 10,000 to 15,000 miles.

And, I hit it lucky….NAPA has the blue label Mobil 1 atf on sale this month. I bought 18 quarts for about $150.00. The only drawback is that my wife said that the $200 I saved goes to a super Mothers Day dinner. Ugh

 

[Stimp]

Mobil 1 blue label LV HP in my '20 Traverse 9 speed. Zero issues with it. Just spill and fills.
Do it every 30 - 35k miles for maximum longevity of the transmission.
I don't do transmission. line flushing as running pumps low / dry is no Bueno IMO. If its really dirty a couple back to back spills and fills are quick and easy. Put back in the amount that drains out if no dipstick.

You don't have to run the sump low or dry, odd assumption.

 

[musky/ed]

I've drained the wife's 23 Traverse I think four times now. Takes me a little over 20 min to do, extremely simple. Took a little longer first time but I have a system now and everything ready. Jack the front end up about 3-4" that's plenty. Takes about 6 qts, some say 5.5, some say 6, for me its about 6.2 qts. Drain plug is a 1/8" pipe plug and extremely easy to get at.
I use Pennzoil Dex6 at about $6 a qt at Menards. I have a clean drain pan I got at Fleet Farm for $11 and only use it for ATF. I also use a oil container that holds 8 qts I think and after draining, pour that in the container and pencil a mark where the level is.
Then dump that out into some used oil jugs for recycle, in my case I have a guy down the road that heats his shop with oil so he gets it. Then I pour new oil into the container till it comes up to the mark. Then just pour it back in. There is a screw cap somewhat under the battery where you fill it but easily accessible without taking off the plastic engine cover as some say you have to do. Get one of those metal funnels with the flexible down spout a little over a foot long.
One thing on the Traverse forum they don't mention and could cause a issue after multiple changes is, they say just put in what you took out. And that's not quite true as if you change your fluid after driving, it will be warm and your new fluid will be cold so that every time you change, you will be putting in more than you took out. That's why I drain cold and put in cold so it matches.
It took me longer to type this than to do it, it's that simple.

 

[repairman54]

2x I do mine cold after it's sitting for a while so I get maximum drain down into the bottom.
Bottom line is some some sort of fluid exchange on a regular basis like every 30 - 35k miles will keep them going without issues for a long time.