3.6L malibu trans fluid change or not

[scott37300]

Woman has a 09 malibu with the 3.6L six speed trans. From what I understand from reading the manual the 6 speed doesn't ever need to be changed, unless it is in the severe duty catagory then it recomends a change at 50,000 miles. Did I understand the manual correctly?

I am going to be doing a trans drain and fill on my mom's civic and grandma's impala so I figured while I was at it I would do a drain and fill on the malibu also. I figure it can't hurt to change some of the fluid and would be better than just not ever servicing the trans. So does anyone have some advice on what they would do with a non-servicable transmission like this?

Is there a filter I can change or is it a non servicable internal like some cars? I plan on just draining and then filling and replacing the filter if I can. Also from what I have read it has to be filled from the plug in the side of it? Any tips on how to do this without making a mess?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[cchase]

My suggestion if you have to fill it from the side is to buy one of the pump adapters that threads onto the cap of transmission fluid that you pump like a soap dispenser. Will make it an easy job.

 

[oilboy123]

I did a friends Saturn that you filled from the top then watched when it leaked out of a pipe plug on the side. What a pain in the Posterior.
I would change it over to the best fluid I could get my hands on if it was my vehicle. I would think it would have a decent filter in the pan......

 

[scott37300]

Originally Posted By: cchase
My suggestion if you have to fill it from the side is to buy one of the pump adapters that threads onto the cap of transmission fluid that you pump like a soap dispenser. Will make it an easy job.


Something like this, http://www.harborfreight.com/sta-lube-gear-fluid-oil-pump-40714.html?

I wonder if I could use a garden sprayer pressure tank to fill it? Fill the tank with fluid and pump it up and then have some kind of hose on it with a valve to control flow. I think it would work good for trans and some differentials. I looked at getting a mityvac pressure/vacuum setup where I could fill it with fluid and pressurise it and pump the fluid in but it looks like more work than it's worth and I think a simple home made garden sprayer might work better.

Anyone change the fluid on a chevy 3.6L 6 speed or have advice on doing it?

Thanks, Scott

 

[JTK]

I don't know if it's got a drain plug or not, but the fill hole looks nice! You could always drain a gallon from the cooler line, stop, add a gallon and repeat another time or 3. Either that or do some research to see if there is a drain plug somewhere.

Joel

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: scott37300
Originally Posted By: cchase
My suggestion if you have to fill it from the side is to buy one of the pump adapters that threads onto the cap of transmission fluid that you pump like a soap dispenser. Will make it an easy job.


Something like this, http://www.harborfreight.com/sta-lube-gear-fluid-oil-pump-40714.html?


Yes. I used a set-up like that to re-fill the T56 in my car and it went quickly and no spillage. Just threaded it onto a gallon jug of Dex III and started pumping.

 

[scott37300]

I guess it is filled from the top, must have read something wrong when I read somewhere the fill hole was on the side. And it does have a drain plug and no filter to change since the pan is on the side of the trans-pretty crazy.

From the book it looks like 5 qts of dexron VI, just drain and fill.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[scott37300]

Is maxlife ATF good to use for dexron VI? I bought 3 gallons of it today to do the 04 impala so only need 1 more quart to do the malibu also if it is a decent fluid for dexron VI.

 

[Boss302fan]

Maxlife syn is very good for your application.

 

[scott37300]

That's good to hear! Thanks

 

[sciphi]

I'd not use Maxlife ATF if you're concerned about any warranty on the transmission. It's an excellent fluid, though.

 

[scott37300]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'd not use Maxlife ATF if you're concerned about any warranty on the transmission. It's an excellent fluid, though.


So fluid that meets chevy's recomendations will void the warranty?

 

[unDummy]

Originally Posted By: scott37300
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'd not use Maxlife ATF if you're concerned about any warranty on the transmission. It's an excellent fluid, though.


So fluid that meets chevy's recomendations will void the warranty?


Its not a licensed DexronVI. So, this means its not hindered by the pathetic requirement and performs better.

 

[scott37300]

So would valvoline dexron VI, valvoline dexron VI satisfy the warranty issue or do I have to go to the dealer and get raped?

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: scott37300
So would valvoline dexron VI, valvoline dexron VI satisfy the warranty issue or do I have to go to the dealer and get raped?


That would satisfy the requirements. Leave the dealer visit for another day.

 

[scott37300]

Thanks. Kind of crazy that both the dexron VI and maxlife are valvoline ATF and from what I can tell the maxlife is a better fluid and chevy says to use the regular dexron VI. Oh well I guess I better stick with what chevy wants till the warranty is up.

 

[Boss302fan]

Maxlife is the one to use and should make that transmission last well past the time that u sell it...

 

[scott37300]

Well I have the maxlife bought and from what I read is a good ATF, it's what I am using on my grandma's 04 impala and bought 3 gallons so I could also use it in the malibu. Now I'm not sure because I would really hate for something to go wrong with her transmission and take it in for warranty service and be denied because I put ATF in that they didn't recomend.

 

[ron350]

Scott don’t think you can get away using Maxlife because of its distinctive smell.

 

[scott37300]

Originally Posted By: ron350
Scott don’t think you can get away using Maxlife because of its distinctive smell.



I don't understand? Are you saying not to use maxlife because it has a distinctive smell and they will not honor the warranty because of this?