This car is rolling up on 25K miles on the original ATF. Im thinking about finding a place in town that can flush out all of the old ATF and put in some synthetic ATF that will last a while (50-100K). Since this car has no drain plug or dipstick, I dont really want to mess with doing it myself. What would be a good replacement synthetic that would have a long long life. This car has about 50/50 in town/hwy miles and is driven by my featherfooted wife.
ATF for 2002 Chevy Malibu
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I have a 1999 Grand Am with the same trans. I have been doing "drain and fills" with Pennzoil Dex III every 30k miles or so. Dropping the pan removes 7 of 11 qts, so I figure I am getting a significant amount changed without a flush.
Anyway... at 80k miles, the Trans is working great with the Pennz Dex III. Last change, I added a bottle of lubegard red, and I really didn't notice any performance difference, but then the trans did not have any performance problems in the first place.
But this does not answer your question about synthetics!
Just wanted to relate my 4t45E fluid experience.
Anyway... at 80k miles, the Trans is working great with the Pennz Dex III. Last change, I added a bottle of lubegard red, and I really didn't notice any performance difference, but then the trans did not have any performance problems in the first place.
But this does not answer your question about synthetics!
I put 7 qts of Mobil1 ATF in my '00 Impala's transmission 15,000 miles (18 months) ago, and have had no problems. The stuff looks brand new on the dipstick.
I plan on running it to mile 150K or when I sell the car, whichever comes first. I'm putting on
On a side note, I dropped the pan on the 'factory fill' oil at 50K miles...the fluid looked brand new and there was little residue on the pan. This on a car that was a RENTAL before I bought it.
I think there's something to the whole '100,000 mile transmission fluid', at least in this case. The way that fluid looked at 50K it would have lasted to 100K!
I plan on running it to mile 150K or when I sell the car, whichever comes first. I'm putting on
On a side note, I dropped the pan on the 'factory fill' oil at 50K miles...the fluid looked brand new and there was little residue on the pan. This on a car that was a RENTAL before I bought it.
I think there's something to the whole '100,000 mile transmission fluid', at least in this case. The way that fluid looked at 50K it would have lasted to 100K!
Schaeffer #204SAT would be my first choice for both quality and price. Mobil 1 ATF would be excellent and more widely available.
Ken
IS there a drain-bolt kit for a Malibu transmission pan? I think my mechanic buddy found the fill bolt. Its a red plastic capped thing to the right of the engine on top of the transmission. If I dropped the pan, I could just fill only as much fluid as what came out. Then I dont really need to worry about checking it too much.
Do I need to worry about mixing new synthetic with old factory fluid?
Do I need to worry about mixing new synthetic with old factory fluid?
FYI
I found that many GM dealers around here can flush a trans. So check there, some of these quick lube places no less about it than you.
I found that many GM dealers around here can flush a trans. So check there, some of these quick lube places no less about it than you.
My dealer said $120 for a flush with new dino. And they use some kind of chemical to get all the crap out. I really doubt there is any crap in this transmission. And $120 is just ridiculous. I gotta find a better way to do it myself and put synthetic in.
Whats a good way to collect all the transmission fluid to know how much to add back in? Its a pain to check it according to the service manual, Id rather just add back whatever falls out. Id need like a big flat catch pan and some way to measure the fluid that came out. How do you guys do it?
Also, is the red plastic cap on top of the transmission a fill plug? I tried to siphon ATF from here and didnt even get ATF on the tube.
Also, is the red plastic cap on top of the transmission a fill plug? I tried to siphon ATF from here and didnt even get ATF on the tube.
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