Chevrolet Malibu Forums banner
Cancel

3.6L 6 speed trans flush advice please

46267 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.
61 - 72 of 72 Posts
DrivenDaily
I definitely don't know everything, and I've been wrong when I was 100% sure I was right, so here goes.

I don't see where any harm will come to the trans if you drain the fluid and refill it. The engineer was very pointed when he mentioned that the level is critical. You may want to measure what comes out so you can refill with a like amount.
Save
Like
8
DrivenDaily said:
I definitely don't know everything, and I've been wrong when I was 100% sure I was right, so here goes.

I don't see where any harm will come to the trans if you drain the fluid and refill it. The engineer was very pointed when he mentioned that the level is critical. You may want to measure what comes out so you can refill with a like amount.
Click to expand...
Thanks - I also notice he stated that we shouldn't change our fluid at all ??

I do 95% highway with my car - so I am sure sure I am more 'easy' on the fluid then lots of stop and go....

Have you done yours ?? If so what ATF did you use ?
Save
Like
DrivenDaily
At 17,000 it's not ready yet. With my lead foot and using the manual shift button I figure I fall into the "Severe Service" category, so I'll change it around 50,000 or maybe sooner.
Save
Like
P
There is a 11 or 12 MM drain plug on bottom of trans. Pull taht and it will drain about 3 qts. I have dont is 4-5 times now. I did it 3 times in a row with 20-50 miles between each the first time. I do it about every other oil change now. I use this ATF going back in. [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-VV324-MAXLIFE-DEXRONIII-Bottles/dp/B000CQ262C[/ame] You can get this ATF at Advanced Auto or Autozone. Advanced has it in 4 qt. jugs and I get 3-4 of them at a time with online coupon, chose store pickup at times as I do the same thing with my F350, but it takes 10 qts. every time so I go through some fluid.
Save
Like
M
PCweber said:
I do it about every other oil change now.
Click to expand...
While I've got no problem with doing things like this a LITTLE more often than recommended........this is over the top excessive, in my opinion.

Using that kind of logic, you would be changing your oil about every 1500 miles and replacing your tires when 75% of the tread was still left.
Save
Like
P
Well the capacity of the trans is around 15 quarts. So, there is no way to get it all changed without a flush. Doing this is an incremental way of getting newer fluid in it. At $4/ qt for 3 qts. Every 10k miles. ( I use Mobile 1 synthetic motor oils o I got 5k miles between changes) I am happy to do this if it prolongs the need for a $4,500 trans. It is the easiest trans in the world to drain and fill. I do the Super duty about 1 time a year. To each his own but I own, license and insure 7 vehicles so my biggest mechanical failure fear are transmissions because they are a black art. 98% of time the diagnosis is “needs a new transmission”. My best friend is a body shop manager in a GM dealership. He has told me some interesting stories that have come out of the service department and downstream shops he deals with. The automotive industry is heavily loading with fraud. So, $12 every 4-5 months for ATF is fine by me in the 6 speed magic slushbox. I do know and have bought cars with Turbo 400 trans that have 200k on them and never changed and run fine. I don’t think the design and intent is there anymore for those results.
See less See more
Save
Like
8
Thanks Guys - I guess I will change the fluid this or next weekend.
Save
Like
zblue1
Would some please describe exactly where or even take a picture of the check level plug for the 4 spd.
I like the drain and fill method with reasonable frequency.
Save
Like
DrivenDaily
Dredging up an old thread, but there have not been any pictures posted for the 3.6L 6-speed transmission drain plug that I could find.

I just did mine today for the 2nd time in its life since buying it with 56K on it. The 1st was at 104K and now it's just shy of 128K.

It takes an 11mm wrench and looks like an oil plug with the extra bit on the end that has no threads, only smaller and no rubber seal.

I drained about 4½ quarts, refilled with 4 quarts of AmsOil Sig Series Full Synthetic ATF. It's probably overkill, but it's not gonna hurt it.

The image with the red circle is my 2011; the other is from the internet showing its location on a Chevy Traverse. Looks the same to me! :)

Attachments

See less See more
2
Save
Like
Chevyman4life
DrivenDaily said:
Dredging up an old thread, but there have not been any pictures posted for the 3.6L 6-speed transmission drain plug that I could find.

I just did mine today for the 2nd time in its life since buying it with 56K on it. The 1st was at 104K and now it's just shy of 128K.

It takes an 11mm wrench and looks like an oil plug with the extra bit on the end that has no threads, only smaller and no rubber seal.

I drained about 4½ quarts, refilled with 4 quarts of AmsOil Sig Series Full Synthetic ATF. It's probably overkill, but it's not gonna hurt it.

The image with the red circle is my 2011; the other is from the internet showing its location on a Chevy Traverse. Looks the same to me! :)
Click to expand...
The new 6-speed transmissions have no oil pan and the filter is up inside where you cant cahnge it. I plan on 20,000 fluid changes. I do not trust transmission flushes either.
Save
Like
repairman54
Flush machines kill transmissions. GM specifically specifies not to use them. They just pump crap through the trans. . Not to mention a bad transfusion from someone else's problem. Make no mistake they are just cash generators in the service bay and yes GM dealers do use them.
Full synth. fluid and following the severe service schedule will give maximum life out of the trans. . Yeah stuff breaks but by following the aforementioned it's the most one can do to make it last.
Save
Like
SilverSport
I'm not positive but I believe the issue was with the high pressure flushes...many have gone to a low pressure flush after running a cleaner through your transmission and then fresh fluid (which may also be a synthetic blend Dexron product)...good luck with yours.

Bill
Save
Like
61 - 72 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