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Transmission Fluid - Just Hope?

43K views 47 replies 22 participants last post by  MRTaylor17 
#1 ·
Hi guys,
I'm aware that the G8 GT doesn't have an transmission fluid dipstick like virtually every other car out there. I'm also aware that the only true way to check the transmission fluid is to put the car on a lift.

My question is - and I'm assuming most people here do not have lifts - is everybody just hoping that their fluid level is correct? I dont like to go by just hope but I don't think there's anything we can really do about it apart from taking the car to the dealer. Draining and re-filling with fluid is not a DIY job, I assume?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I've been to three dealers in So Cal area for various service and warranty work. While getting my oil changed at one dealer two months ago, I asked the service writer about tranny fluid level and procedure for checking fullness. He replied "no need to check because fluid level is full from factory, and the transmission is sealed". I asked service writer how it could be confirmed that fluid level is full, is there a procedure in place to check fluid level? Again he gave the same answer, "transmission is full from factory and sealed, no need to check level". I received pretty much the same response at two other dealerships.

There is a procedure for checking fluid’s level describe at Charlie's forum and it does require vehicle being lifted and engine running. The procedure may also be somewhere on this forum.

Short of performing the procedure, only other way to ensure fluid level is correct would be to have it changed I guess.

Why was the tranny dipstick omitted? In order to cut costs? It's really inconvenient not having one.
 
#3 · (Edited)
It's not exactly a G8 thing, but more a modern vehicle thing...check most of everything out there now. A lot still do, but more and more most don't have one, going back at least a few years.

At least it isn't to the BMW and others way of doing things where there isn't even an oil dipstick, but rather another team of sensors that give you an electronic readout on an interior DIC with either the specific oil level percentage or just a flashing/chiming warning of it being too low:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/02/2008-bmw-x5-48i-oil-oil-oil.html

It's one part cost savings, one bigger part so few people (rightfully or ignorantly) never even give 2 seconds thought to such things on their cars now anyway, other than taking it to their dealer for service, why bother. I'd like having a trans dipstick, of course, but I know about such things and would check it myself...but "we" are in the vast minority.

In all, it's just not uncommon now, and a lot more common than you'd think...the G8 is just for a lot of us one of the first new cars you're switching to vs. others before where you're finally seeing it. It's my 3rd without, now. Just how it's going to be now, for most everything from everyone.
 
#4 ·
Ya gotta admire their faith in their seals.:rolleyes:

If this tranny doesn't leak at least a little eventually, it'd be the first. This is still a sore subject with me.
 
#5 ·
It's called a "customer satisfaction concern" and a good dealership will indeed write up a warranty/complimentary ticket to check the level. Especially if you bought your car at that dealership....

We have checked several, including mine, at no charge to the customer. FWIW, my 2009 was spot on on the ATF fluid level.
 
#6 ·
It's easily checked if you have a lift. It's not "sealed". Bottom line- The manufacturers, not only GM, do not trust us to put the right kind of fluid in so they make it harder to do so.

The biggest surprise for me is that no aftermarket company has stepped up to the plate to provide us an add-on dipstick. The hole is there......
 
#7 ·
It's easily checked if you have a lift. It's not "sealed". Bottom line- The manufacturers, not only GM, do not trust us to put the right kind of fluid in so they make it harder to do so.

The biggest surprise for me is that no aftermarket company has stepped up to the plate to provide us an add-on dipstick. The hole is there......
Which is really sad, because this way you won't even know if it's low unless it gets bad enough to exhibit a problem. By that point, you could've already done damage to it.:nuts::nonono:

And before someone says it...yeah, not a problem for the first 100K miles because of the warranty (as long as they can't prove you modified it in some way). But, I plan on keeping this thing for well over 100K and it can take awhile for damage to show up.

Ah well, cross my fingers and hope until someone comes out with a dipstick kit like you talked about.:(
 
#9 ·
The hole is there. It's just got a plug in it.

Some of the truck applications have a dipstick, but they also have a deeper pan than our version so it would have to be modified.
 
#10 ·
I checked mine a couple of weeks ago when getting the tires swapped out. It's sort of a dipstick, with a locking inner rod. My fluid level was at the lower edge when cold. My dealer said to check it when off too, I'd guess so that the engine isn't running up in the air. Pull the locking rod up to release and check, put back in, and push the locking rod back down.
 
#13 ·
You're doing it wrong and your dealer is wrong. It must be checked the factory way.

Warm engine/trans
Raise car on lift
Run engine in park
Remove plug in trans pan
Pump fluid into fill hole (the thing you are using to check) until fluid just dribbles out of hole in pan
Replace plug and filler cap
 
#11 ·
Good discussion. The reason that I ask is that one of my older cars had transmission failure that the dealer attributed to the previous owners' neglect to replace the fluid. I realize that the ATF used now runs up to 100,000 miles, but what really irks me is that if the tranny fluid is low, you would never know UNTIL your tranny is burned out. Honestly, if I didnt know better, I would think it's a conspiracy by transmission specialists to drum up business.
 
#17 ·
Good discussion. The reason that I ask is that one of my older cars had transmission failure that the dealer attributed to the previous owners' neglect to replace the fluid. I realize that the ATF used now runs up to 100,000 miles, but what really irks me is that if the tranny fluid is low, you would never know UNTIL your tranny is burned out.
Did you ever fret about the rear axle not having a dipstick? I never did.
 
#19 ·
A differential is a lot more simple than a transmission and to check replace is 100x easier and doesn't require any "special" procedures that can't be done at home. Would you prefer your engine doesn't have a dipstick either, after all it is "sealed" in theory as well.

Edit: Wreck beat me to it :)
 
#22 · (Edited)
An internal combustion engine consumes oil. A transmission, like a rear diff does not. If it does, it's very evident.

An engine loses oil through it's exhaust system. A transmission, or a diff does not. They don't have an exhaust system. They can only leak.

I've replace both rear ends and transmissions in many different cars. A rear diff is not 100X easier to replace than a trans. In many cases a transmission is easier to replace than a diff. I can tell by your answer, you haven't replaced either. :wink2:

If I needed to, I *can* check my trans oil at home. Procedure isn't hard, I did it when the car was new.
Now that I know it's full, I check it like this: It's clean, yes? It's checked. If it isn't clean, I get it fixed under warranty. Couldn't be easier.
 
#31 ·
On my current ride (06 G6 GT) they have the same deal with the transmission: "factory sealed" etc. Did some reading into it and apparently with their fluid and such you shouldn't need it serviced until I think it was 140,000km. They then go on to say that "under extreme driving conditions (ie. police use, courier use, etc) the transmission should be flushed after 50,000. I don't know how different they did the G8 (aside from.. well.. making it better in every possible aspect hahah), but I'm willing to reckon that the use I put the '6 through would be deemed "extreme".
That being said, I'll be hopefully picking up my 09 G8 GT from the dealership here in about a week or two. Can't wait.
 
#37 ·
Dip Stick

Anyone purchase this stick yet? any info on the install?
Just curious
Thanks
 
#39 ·
So the skinny on all this is when I hit 100k get the fluid changed correct? I now have 59k on my car and its almost all highway. I'm not worried about not being able to check the level I'm just concerned when its time to get the fluid changed out.
 
#41 ·
alot of cars have "sealed" trannies now...irregardless, from what we hear on these forums it seems that at least a handful must have been low from the factory or leaking to have the "growl" some have mentioned.

One thing to mention also - very odd another member had the TSB performed on the clutch cover kit 2-3 flare bs thing....well so did I, same exact parts and TSB, except on my work order it shows 14 quarts of tranny fluid added and on his it was 8....very very odd
 
#42 ·
Well, I had enough of just hoping that my tranny fluid was full... and I'm glad I had it checked out!

I was 2.5 quarts LOW from where the tranny fluid should've been. The dealership told me that--believe it or not--that level was still "in spec" according to GM. I couldn't believe it.

I took it in because my hard accels were acting funny & I was beginning to notice some of those 'flares' people talk about.

I just don't understand how, though, I could've lost that much tranny fluid! My garage floor is completely clean, and no signs of damage to the transmission or seals according to the dealer. Perhaps it was just "low" coming from the factory?
 
#44 ·
Question is: have I sustained tranny damage, and--if so--how much!?

Dealer said tranny and seals looked good, but I just worry about longevity.
 
#46 ·
There were a few times in which I would try a quick accel right after a strong decel, and the rpm would go up to about 4-5k until the transmission got into the correct gear ( half second hesitation), and I also auto crossed it a while back and there were six heats. I kept the transmission in 2nd gear manual, though, during those runs.
 
#48 ·
I asked about need for a fluid & filter change because in at 53k miles, but they said the tranny fluid looks very healthy and it was not needed.

I think since my fluid is still pretty clean, that my transmission must still be alright. I heard that if it is dirty, dark or even white then you have problems on your hands.
 
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