Chevrolet Malibu Forums banner
Cancel

3.6L 6 speed trans flush advice please

46268 Views 71 Replies 23 Participants Last post by  SilverSport, 
S
09 malibu 3.6L 6 speed with 50,000 miles on it. I was reading the owners maual and from what I understand the fluid is "lifetime" unless you fall under the severe duty catagory and then you need to change it at 50,000, is this correct?

I don't think I fall into the severe duty but I think I would like to change the fluid as a preventative maintenance thing, don't think it can hurt can it?

So if I do this do I need to flush it or can I drop the pan and drain and add new fluid? Also is there a servicable filter I need to change?

Any advice with this would be much appreciated,
Thanks,
Scott
Save
Like
Status
Not open for further replies.
41 - 60 of 72 Posts
DrivenDaily
Starting to sound like the design feature of having to have the oil at the Goldilocks temp to check it or fill it was put there by some young person with intellect but no real street smarts.

In my job working with spreadsheets and databases, design is a large part of the beginning of any task, but testing and applying real-world usage is what gives it the acceptance at the user's level. Then I can finish it and put the product out for consumption.

Sames goes for any other design, tranny or otherwise. If it's a good design on paper, then build it and test it 'til it breaks. Then fix it and find out how to break it again. Repeat. Not saying this wasn't done, but the real-world application has seemingly been forgotten. WE'RE the users! WE should be considered in the design process as well! WE have to fix 'em once we've bought 'em and the warranty is up!

I want to add a trans cooler. I'll bet the engineers didn't plan on that, or if they did, they're gonna poo-poo it and say the stock stuff is just fine. That's a load of you-know-what if that even tries to roll off their lips. It has always been the case that the cooler the transmission oil is, the longer all the parts will last. Friction creates heat; coolers reduce it; more coolers reduce it faster and further. I never got around to putting a cooler on the '09 I had, but now that I've been reading this stuff I'm scared to even crack a line in fear of being accused of killing the tranny.
See less See more
Save
Like
S
chevyguy8893 said:
Checking the fluid level is important to keep the trans in good shape though. Doing it properly is what is going to keep it that way. The fluid temperature needs to be in a certain range to properly indicate the level, so yes the fluid temperature is important. What's to say the fluid level was correct before draining it? For how expensive a trans is to overhaul it is better to air on the side of safety. What I there was a leak that the owner didn't see? There are to many risks to do it as simple as drain and fill unless you know for sure it was fine before.
Click to expand...
I agree with what you are saying. The problem is GM doesn't agree with you. That is why they make it so hard to check the fluid. Also they state in the owners manual that we don't have to check the fluid. They say we don't need to change it or the filter. Don't need to worry about it at all, just run it till the tranny pukes. This is a huge design flaw by GM.

You bring up some good points about drain and fills, the fact that if you measure what you take out it still might not be right, due to leaks and what not. But you also have to consider GM says not to worry about the fluid until there is a problem. So if there is a leak it will drain all the fluid unless you realize it and then kill the tranny. So in reality it doesn't matter if it was leaking or not, because GM tells us not to worry about it, and doesn't give us an easy way to check the level to see if it's leaking. Sometimes you won't notice a small leak untill it's to late. To the average person this sounds great, never have to change fluid, never worry about fluid level, etc. But to anyone that has any mechanical knowledge this is a joke.

You say there are to many risks to doing a drain/fill and using the fluid that comes out to measure how much to put back in. You are correct that it's not the right way to do it but it's still better than just leaving the old fluid in and never changing it. If there is a leak it doesn't matter if you change the fluid or not, either way you still are going to be short. And GM has decided not to give us an easy way to check the fluid level and they specifically state in the manual not to worry about the fluid unless there is a problem. Which a lot of the time if there is a small leak you will not notice it till it's to late.

Thanks GM, for a crappy design.


You sound like you work at a dealership or are a mechanic? If so is there a way for the average person to check the level? Mine has a dipstick, but as you stated you have to check it at a certain temp. So is there a way to tell the temp to check the fluid? I know honda says to run the vehicle for 20 minutes and then check fluid to get the right level. Is there a time to run the car to get temp to right level? Or some other way to tell the temp to check the fluid? Thanks
See less See more
Save
Like
chevyguy8893
scott37300 said:
I agree with what you are saying. The problem is GM doesn't agree with you. That is why they make it so hard to check the fluid. Also they state in the owners manual that we don't have to check the fluid. They say we don't need to change it or the filter. Don't need to worry about it at all, just run it till the tranny pukes. This is a huge design flaw by GM.

You bring up some good points about drain and fills, the fact that if you measure what you take out it still might not be right, due to leaks and what not. But you also have to consider GM says not to worry about the fluid until there is a problem. So if there is a leak it will drain all the fluid unless you realize it and then kill the tranny. So in reality it doesn't matter if it was leaking or not, because GM tells us not to worry about it, and doesn't give us an easy way to check the level to see if it's leaking. Sometimes you won't notice a small leak untill it's to late. To the average person this sounds great, never have to change fluid, never worry about fluid level, etc. But to anyone that has any mechanical knowledge this is a joke.

You say there are to many risks to doing a drain/fill and using the fluid that comes out to measure how much to put back in. You are correct that it's not the right way to do it but it's still better than just leaving the old fluid in and never changing it. If there is a leak it doesn't matter if you change the fluid or not, either way you still are going to be short. And GM has decided not to give us an easy way to check the fluid level and they specifically state in the manual not to worry about the fluid unless there is a problem. Which a lot of the time if there is a small leak you will not notice it till it's to late.

Thanks GM, for a crappy design.


You sound like you work at a dealership or are a mechanic? If so is there a way for the average person to check the level? Mine has a dipstick, but as you stated you have to check it at a certain temp. So is there a way to tell the temp to check the fluid? I know honda says to run the vehicle for 20 minutes and then check fluid to get the right level. Is there a time to run the car to get temp to right level? Or some other way to tell the temp to check the fluid? Thanks
Click to expand...
I don't agree with GM saying the fluid never needs to be changed, but there isn't anything that says in the manual stating the fluid should never be changed. I have changed my fluid out at 60K and did not like how the fluid looked, it wasn't burnt but dirty from friction material. I have not had a single issue since, in fact it seemed to shift smoother than before. I am saying it is important to be sure the fluid level is correct because that is what will cause it to fail. I t is better to be safe than sorry. Yes, I do work for a dealer, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything I read. For the 4 cylinder owners it is very much a pain to check fluid level, and I hate it. For the 6 cylinder owners it is much easier since you have a dipstick.

The fluid range on the dipstick is also the operating temperature of the trans lowest being a certain temp and the highest mark a certain temp. Best way I can say to check the fluid level is drive it for 10-15 miles to be sure it is up to operating temp then check it on level ground. I don't agree with how things are done anymore, but there isn't anything I can do about it. I think it is more a design to keep the average owner who has no idea what they are doing from messing with their car, but the issue that causes is they follow what the manufacturer says to do.

I still stand by the older standards and don't follow the oil life monitor and change my fluids as I see fit. I have payed for the car and it is my responsibility to pay for repairs when it goes out of warranty, so I am going to take care of it in my way. The other thing is most cars end up falling under severe service in a lot of the climate regions, which is the other reason I find it necessary to change the fluid. All I was trying to saying in my previous posts that it is important to be sure the fluid level is correct to save from the issue of a bad trans later.
See less See more
Save
Like
S
chevyguy8893 said:
I don't agree with GM saying the fluid never needs to be changed, but there isn't anything that says in the manual stating the fluid should never be changed. I have changed my fluid out at 60K and did not like how the fluid looked, it wasn't burnt but dirty from friction material. I have not had a single issue since, in fact it seemed to shift smoother than before. I am saying it is important to be sure the fluid level is correct because that is what will cause it to fail. I t is better to be safe than sorry. Yes, I do work for a dealer, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything I read. For the 4 cylinder owners it is very much a pain to check fluid level, and I hate it. For the 6 cylinder owners it is much easier since you have a dipstick.

The fluid range on the dipstick is also the operating temperature of the trans lowest being a certain temp and the highest mark a certain temp. Best way I can say to check the fluid level is drive it for 10-15 miles to be sure it is up to operating temp then check it on level ground. I don't agree with how things are done anymore, but there isn't anything I can do about it. I think it is more a design to keep the average owner who has no idea what they are doing from messing with their car, but the issue that causes is they follow what the manufacturer says to do.

I still stand by the older standards and don't follow the oil life monitor and change my fluids as I see fit. I have payed for the car and it is my responsibility to pay for repairs when it goes out of warranty, so I am going to take care of it in my way. The other thing is most cars end up falling under severe service in a lot of the climate regions, which is the other reason I find it necessary to change the fluid. All I was trying to saying in my previous posts that it is important to be sure the fluid level is correct to save from the issue of a bad trans later.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice.
Save
Like
chevyguy8893
MILO said:
Hey chevyguy8893
I am used to checking tranny fluid level in cars that required the tranny warmed up, run the shifter thru all the gears, put it in park. Leave the engine idling. Then pull the dip stick.
On a 2010 V6 Malibu, do you check it with the engine off, or leave idling? From what I have read here it sounds like with the engine off. I dont know for sure
Click to expand...
It is still checked with it running and in park. The only difference with these dipsticks, if I remember correctly, is they don't have a cold range for checking fluid level.
Save
Like
C
What a read, , here is your main take-away , don't do things unless you need them. I sure XX, where X is any number 0-9, years from now the car will tell you when to do things, I always believe things are held back from consumers, unless it will be made profitable. Of course you can argue it can already be so if everything is done at the dealer, You have seen their rates I am sure. But half the fun is doing it yourself, one thing I liked about my 03 Neon is I could do anything to it and fix almost anything, as you know now its more difficult.
But I agree with others, I would like the car last and do what I can to prevent damages, I mean you know people drive hard, I do bc I am always in a hurry.
Save
Like
DrivenDaily
5thElement said:
I dont even see the point in arguing this anymore. The service manual clearly states to change the ATF every 50k miles. How anyone can argue against this is beyond me...
Click to expand...
Then why do you keep posting comments?

The whole point to our side of the argument is GM has removed from us the ability to properly care for our transmission. Instead they want us to believe that their testing proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the tranny needs nothing until 200K miles when over 90% of the test mules survived before failing. Then you probably don't own the car anymore, so the tranny giving up the ghost will not be an issue because you're ready to move to a new car anyhow.

You see, they seem to have the same attitude as you: What they say is Gospel.

I completely disagree with their position, and so does just about everyone else, including you.
Save
Like
C
That seems to be the common problem, arguing b/w what is better, technology or preventative issues. I mean it may not be realistic to want to keep my car for 20 years, I mean i will use it and not store it away, so then the thinking makes sense to design it like that, to just toss it, but I think its natural to want to care for something and make it last.
And I agree that it seems we are "forced" to consume in that method, we just haven't seen the results yet. But I think just following common sense and checking things yourself , when reasonable is the only way to go and that to follow the scheduled maintenance otherwise, I mean somebody had to set those numbers for a reason.
Save
Like
typhoon
I just read this whole thread. All I can say is WOW! I changed my tranny fluid 2 weeks ago at around 44K miles. Took all of 20 minutes. I seem to recall it was just about 5.5 quarts. Refilled it with Mobil1 ATF. My car is still under the 5/100 warranty, so never tell your dealer you did it yourself or they may have a hissy fit about your warranty. No problems. Bottom line is if you can change your oil you will be able to change the tranny fluid.
Save
Like
L
Do you have a 3.6 or 2.4 engine?
Save
Like
S
This thread remind me of CVT transmission on my Ford freestyle which has lifetime fluid. I change the fluid in my Freestyle without any problems. Dealer told me you need speical tools to take tranny temperture reading. I'm wondering if the Malibu has an engineering mode built into the cluster like Ford cars built after 2002. Engineering modes tell you tranny temperture. Most Ford dealer techs don't know this even exsit in the cars.

BTW here is video of a Ford cluster going into engineering test mode.

Save
Like
Screechymon
ChevyManMike said:
That seems to be the common problem, arguing b/w what is better, technology or preventative issues. I mean it may not be realistic to want to keep my car for 20 years, I mean i will use it and not store it away, so then the thinking makes sense to design it like that, to just toss it, but I think its natural to want to care for something and make it last.
And I agree that it seems we are "forced" to consume in that method, we just haven't seen the results yet. But I think just following common sense and checking things yourself , when reasonable is the only way to go and that to follow the scheduled maintenance otherwise, I mean somebody had to set those numbers for a reason.
Click to expand...
well that's what I plan to do, Murphy's law, karma, and god willing.

I could have swear, my dealer serviced my tranny at 30k. I'll check my receipts this weekend and find out for sure. I let the dealer service everything not because I can't do it myself or I'm lazy (well maybe a little lazy in the winter) but because I rather be mad at someone else for screwing up than myself. And I love the 300$ detail job they've been doing so far the last two years for there one QC oversight I cought.

There pretty good at dotting there I's and T crossing when it comes to my car.
Save
Like
typhoon
Lgndryhr said:
Do you have a 3.6 or 2.4 engine?
Click to expand...
3.6. Sorry, forgot to say that.
Save
Like
typhoon
5thElement said:
Yes the malibu does display transmission fluid temps and you dont need any special tools. You can observe the transmission fluid temperature (TFT) using the Driver Information Center. The problem is only the 3.6l malibus have the 6T70 trans which has a dipstick. All 2.4l malibus use the 6T40/4T45 which does not have one. Taking temp reading from the car is useless if you dont have a dipstick. The best way to change the fluid is to collect and accurately measure what comes out to what goes in. If one is anal about temps simply keep both old and new fluid in the same room to reach same temps. Then measure and replace. So simple.
Click to expand...
Please tell us how to read tranny temp on the DIC.
Thanks
Save
Like
typhoon
Hey 5thelement how do you observe the transmission fluid temperature (TFT) using the Driver Information Center?????
I don't think it is possible.
Save
Like
L
I too would like to know how to view this information from the DIC.
Save
Like
Screechymon
Screechymon said:
well that's what I plan to do, Murphy's law, karma, and god willing.

I could have swear, my dealer serviced my tranny at 30k. I'll check my receipts this weekend and find out for sure. I let the dealer service everything not because I can't do it myself or I'm lazy (well maybe a little lazy in the winter) but because I rather be mad at someone else for screwing up than myself. And I love the 300$ detail job they've been doing so far the last two years for there one QC oversight I cought.

There pretty good at dotting there I's and T crossing when it comes to my car.
Click to expand...
My dealer did perform a tranny flush/service @ 39k, I know how much everyone likes proof, I have the paperwork. What I don't have is a way to blank out my personal info that y'all don't really need to see. Once I get that done I'll post it.

And I think it was only 77$,(upon further review I noticed the 112$ labor they charged so....) I don't think that's too bad. But that's purely opinion aint it.

Alright, here is the paper work:


Please take note of the date of the invoice, as the service was done before this thread was posted... I didn't ask for it to be done, my dealer did it under your standard service, maybe Chevy customer service ( ie. Michelle may shine some light) and tell us if there are different service plans in different parts of the US? I don't know. All I'm saying is they suggested to me that I have it serviced....

@ Lgndryhr and Typhoon,

That may have been another "joke" in regards to your DIC questions. To 5th.

@ GM_6T40 Trans_Engineer,

Regarding page 4 post# 34, I think you may have mis spoke while annoyed.?
Would it not be the service writer that dictates to the mechanic what service to preform? As far as design goes and knowing better, you would know how the tranny is designed and the mechanic would know how to work on it.

What I mean is, I could design the HVAC, and radiant floor heating for your house, or to a manufacturing plant. However don't ask me to install it, thats why I hire contractors. They might be the mechanics/service writers in this situation.

@ scott37300

Did you have to post this thread, and ask this question? You go sit in the corner and you think about all of what you stirred up....

I'm joking scott, don't take the last part too personal, its a good read. Containing good information, points of view, and some posts just humorous.
See less See more
Save
Like
A
What a read. Does anyone know the correct procedure for checking the fluid level on an auto with the 2.4 engine which does not have a dipstick? I would find this helpful for those of us who perform our own vehicle service. Thanks Tony
Save
Like
S
Ditto on what Tony said. Even better if someone would post a youtube video.

Thanks
Save
Like
8
Sorry to dig up an old thread - but just wondering what all you guys with the V6 - 6sp Trans did with changing your Trans fluids ??

I have 49k on mine now and was just wondering when/if I should drain and fill the trans ?

I plan on keeping the car about 2 more years, which will bring me to about 80k and I plan on buying a new 'bu.

Just wondering if you changed your fluid or not and if you did, did you ever experience any problems.

I noticed the GM Trans Engineer was on here saying don't replace your trans fluid, but I don't think he has posted since then?

Thanks
See less See more
Save
Like
41 - 60 of 72 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Chevrolet Malibu Forums
Chevy Malibu Forum is the best place for owners of the sedan to connect with the community and discuss MPG, mods, and more. Join now!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Gen 7 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting Gen 7 General Discussion Gen 5 & 6 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting Gen 7 Modifications Gen 8 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting
Top