when to change auto transmission fluid 06 aveo

Hiya,, curious been searching for a maitanance schedule for the tranny fluid but it is nonexistant. Talked to 2 dealerships they r just left guessing.. called GM customer no-service they don't have a clue.. anyone here know when to flush the tranny I got 28,000 miles and the flui d is a brown color..... Never had a car that never listed a service interval for tranny fluid.

Also, since there is no interval given on fluid changes could that be a liability issue if the tranny goes out under warrenty? if you never change your fluid cause of no service interval listed and the dealer blames you for neglect for whatever reason. I see this as a possible issue.... Also how can brown tranny fluid be good circulating through your trannny? please help dazed and confused lol

i was told that u shouldnt have to change the tranny fluid in an aveo until u have 100,000 miles on it, but thats rediculous so what friends and have said every 40-50,000 miles

On all the vehicles I've ever owned I drop the transmission pan and change the filter every 30000 miles. It ends up changing about half of the fluid capacity each time.

I had that same problem.

What I've learned is it's apparently not "required" because the fluid they use is good sh*t, it technically could last the life of the car but I wouldn't trust a fluid that much...

But it's "ok" to do it every 90k or so (too bad I didn't know, I tried doing it at 30k lol), the type you use is pretty much any brand as long as it says ATF Type IV, it's the standard in GM and Toyota cars and they share the same recipie cause Toyota developed it. So even if the Aveo is a GM car, the Toyota ATF Type IV is good to use. If you're looking for specifics the part number is #88900925

But watch out, it's ridiculously expensive and wasteful... It's a little under $15 a quart, and you'll need about 8 to 11 qts. (1-2 qts will be wasted in the flushing process alone).

As for what to look for, the flushing process DOES NOT INCLUDE A DUMP, that is just a fluid swap that uses about 3 qts but doesn't flush most of it out because the engine needs to be running to flush out the last 5-6 qts from the torque convertor, what you're looking for is a machine that's kinda like a transfusion machine, where you pour in the good stuff in one tank in the machine, attach a hose to the feed line, and have the engine pump out the bad stuff in another tank on it's own in idle while at the same time pumping in the good stuff.

In the end I payed about $250 for the fluid and labor, it's something I won't do again for a long long time :)

I just happened to check my transmission fluid dipstick. The color of the transmission fluid was BROWN (resembling somewhat used ENGINE OIL). This car is a 2007 with only 20,000 miles on it purchased just 1 year ago. I am quite concerned about it. I have always heard as a general rule that transmission fluid should be a LIGHT CHERRY RED in color. If it is BROWN, then maybe something is burning the fluid, or tranny trouble is looming. I'm having the fluid changed. The transmission still shifts absolutely fine at present. However, just the fact that it turned brown at such a low mileage strikes me as a VERY NEGATIVE indication for the future. Has anyone had to replace the entire transmission due to failure, and, if so, at what odometer mileage did your transmission fail?

Hi everyone. I wanted to put my 2cents worth. I contacted my local dealer and he suggested between every 30k-50k miles.
My dealer uses Wynn full synthetic fluid. My research has shown that places like Pep Boys uses synthetic blend. Not sure what Firestone uses. But Wynn products are up there with Amsoil as far as quality goes.

Chris

just make sure that the fluid your dealership uses meets the GM requirements, if not the warranty will be voided.

What kind of fluid does our autos take?
GM 9986195
GM Dexron
GM Dexron-II
GM Dexron-IID
GM Dexron-IIIG
GM Dexron-IIIH ?

Any, all, or none of the above?

#88900925 - GM T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid

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Originally Posted by ontarian_frog

#88900925 - GM T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid

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That's the OEM fluid though, I'm trying to find the aftermarket equal (specificly in the Royal Purple brand)

the gm T-IV is supposed to be the "same" as toyota T-IV, correct? it is only used in the toyota based Vibe, and the Daewoo based Aveo, as far as i know?

if that is the case, i believe there is a AMSoil ATF that is Toyota T-IV approved. so it might be the same for royal purple stuff.

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Originally Posted by petrified.rabbit

the gm T-IV is supposed to be the "same" as toyota T-IV, correct? it is only used in the toyota based Vibe, and the Daewoo based Aveo, as far as i know?

if that is the case, i believe there is a AMSoil ATF that is Toyota T-IV approved. so it might be the same for royal purple stuff.

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Royal Purple does have Toyota Type-IV available

just a heads up here. i talked to someone at royal purple and they said we need to use max atf

You're all correct. As for the fluid being brown at 28,000 miles, I had the same thing happen. I actually changed the fluid three times because the drain and fill interval only replaces 2.2qts of fluid out of 8 qts. That's like changing your underwear without taking a shower! :mrgreen: There is no serviceable filter in these trans; it's a screen and you need to crack the case to get at it, so the only way that thing gets changed is if it's in the tranny shop for a rebuild. Anyway, I work at a Chevy store and the fluid is prohibitively expensive, even with my employee discount. As someone else said, the Toyota T-IV is the exact same fluid and it costs about $4.50 a quart. Since I've been using that, it seems like it lasts longer as well. I don't care how "high quality" that fluid is; there is no way in hell that it is normal for ATF to turn brown at such a low mileage like that. I think GM beefed on the formulation, just like when they started using DEX-COOL in the cooling systems about 15 years ago and it would turn brown after a year and a half when the **** was supposed to last five years or 150,000 miles. By the time you got to either, your coolant was a bunch of thick brown sludge and your cooling system was shot to hell. Change the fluid at around 25-30,000 miles and don't hesitate to have it flushed....9 quarts of Toyota T-IV and BG Soft Shift formula will do it and save you a ton of headaches and money down the line. As for GM, I wouldn't be surprised at all if not putting a service interval for the trans in their literature came back to bite them in the ass big time.

I have an '05 hatchback with 61000 miles on it and Ive had to change the fluid twice already.
The first time I was just checking fluida and noticed it was almost black and that was right around 27000 miles.
Last week I had to smog the car to renew my registration and it started throwing codes just before I was gonna get it smogged.
As soon as the light goes on you just automatically check your gas cap and fluids, sure enough the trans fluid was dark again.
I live in Nevada where our summers are hot as hell. I think that might have a "little" to do with it but not much.
Im wondering if I can get an "external filter and trans cooler" for it as an added precaution.

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Originally Posted by y2daniel1981

What kind of fluid does our autos take?
GM 9986195
GM Dexron
GM Dexron-II
GM Dexron-IID
GM Dexron-IIIG
GM Dexron-IIIH ?

Any, all, or none of the above?

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It is Dexron III. The A/T on all Aveos is the Aisin 81-40LE. Here is the reference: http://lacetti.com.ua/manual/EN/documen ... ml#J0B0RFL

You could also use the later Dexrons that supersede III, but there is no reason to pay more for it, and it won't make any difference.

Don't let anyone tell you you need to buy high priced, OEM fluid from a dealer. Aisin is the manufacturer ofthe tranny and their specs call for Dexron III.

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Originally Posted by jimmyaveo1980

You're all correct. As for the fluid being brown at 28,000 miles, I had the same thing happen. I actually changed the fluid three times because the drain and fill interval only replaces 2.2qts of fluid out of 8 qts. That's like changing your underwear without taking a shower! :mrgreen: There is no serviceable filter in these trans; it's a screen and you need to crack the case to get at it, so the only way that thing gets changed is if it's in the tranny shop for a rebuild. Anyway, I work at a Chevy store and the fluid is prohibitively expensive, even with my employee discount. As someone else said, the Toyota T-IV is the exact same fluid and it costs about $4.50 a quart. Since I've been using that, it seems like it lasts longer as well. I don't care how "high quality" that fluid is; there is no way in hell that it is normal for ATF to turn brown at such a low mileage like that. I think GM beefed on the formulation, just like when they started using DEX-COOL in the cooling systems about 15 years ago and it would turn brown after a year and a half when the **** was supposed to last five years or 150,000 miles. By the time you got to either, your coolant was a bunch of thick brown sludge and your cooling system was shot to hell. Change the fluid at around 25-30,000 miles and don't hesitate to have it flushed....9 quarts of Toyota T-IV and BG Soft Shift formula will do it and save you a ton of headaches and money down the line. As for GM, I wouldn't be surprised at all if not putting a service interval for the trans in their literature came back to bite them in the ass big time.

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GM is full of crap. Car dealerships don't do their own transmission repairs. They farm it out to transmission specialists because transmission repair is a specialty. I regularly drain my A/T fluid and refill, because clean fluid is your best protection against transmission failure. If you don't believe me go ask any independent transmission shop. Yes, I know it only removes about 1/3 of the fluid volume - but if you do it regularly the fluid stays clean, as it is being replenished regularly.

Before I bought the Aveo I considered buying a used Saturn from a Saturn dealer. I looked for the drain plug for the A/T. There isn't one. When I mentioned it to the dealer they said the transmission is a sealed unit and the fluid is supposed to last the life of the car. What nonsense! They were too cheap to put in a drain plug and besides, they don't want people to do their own service. In fact that was a main reason why I rejected the car. No wonder Saturn is out of business.

If your tranny fluid is brown, or anything other than a healthy red, it is a sign of deterioration and probable deterioration of the 'soft parts' in the tranny. Drop the pan, change the filter and add fresh fluid - which you can easily do yourself. And pray that you were not too late to ward off having it fail.

what can possibly make the fluid dirty if there isn't something else wrong in the system?

if your fluid is getting dirty in a sealed transmission. then something is not wearing properly which mean swapping out the fluid constantly is not going to solve the problem.

plus if you change only 1/3 of the fluid, all the time is worse than changing all the fluid if it is dirty. thats like throwing water at mud. the fresh fluid might actually carry the dirt further into the tranny to cause more problems. if your fluid is dirty, for what ever reason, have it changed once completely instead of cycling the same dirt through 2/3 of the fluid.

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Originally Posted by petrified.rabbit

what can possibly make the fluid dirty if there isn't something else wrong in the system?

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Transmission fluid breaks down over time, and the most common cause is from heat.

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if your fluid is getting dirty in a sealed transmission. then something is not wearing properly which mean swapping out the fluid constantly is not going to solve the problem.

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It can't hurt and it can only help. I agree that a total fluid change would be best. The time to do routine fluid changes is before the fluid changes color. I do it every six months after the car has passed 20.000 miles, and since I've been doing it I have never had any transmission trouble. Transmission fluid is cheap, considering that a tranny rebuild is one of the most expensive mechanical repairs on a vehicle and should be avoided like the plague.

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plus if you change only 1/3 of the fluid, all the time is worse than changing all the fluid if it is dirty.
thats like throwing water at mud. the fresh fluid might actually carry the dirt further into the tranny to cause more problems.

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That's a commonly repeated misconception that it's better to leave old, contaminated fluid alone. There is no logic to it, except for atypical cases where the car has over 100K on it and the fluid has never been changed. Discolored fluid does not necessarily contain "dirt". The filter (located in the pan underneath) removes the particulate matter. The rest is circulating through the system regardless, and keeping worn out fluid in the transmission will just make matters worse over time.

This article explains it more extensively: http://www.aa1car.com/library/atf.htm

Firestone uses full synthetic, I can verify that now :P

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Originally Posted by MatchboxKiller

Firestone uses full synthetic, I can verify that now :P

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Firestone also quit changing customer provided oil according to some guys that work there. So they're missing out on all the people who want the good stuff like amsoil and royal purple but would rather pay someone twenty bucks to get it done on the go.

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Originally Posted by serega12

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Originally Posted by MatchboxKiller

Firestone uses full synthetic, I can verify that now :P

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Firestone also quit changing customer provided oil according to some guys that work there. So they're missing out on all the people who want the good stuff like amsoil and royal purple but would rather pay someone twenty bucks to get it done on the go.

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That's because they don't make as much when the customer provides his own parts/fluids...

Hello, I'm new here. I have an 07 Aveo with 101K Miles on it. Ive changed my fluid every 10K or less since new. Fluid is as clean as the day I bought the car, transmission shifts like new too.

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Originally Posted by campuscop2003

Hello, I'm new here. I have an 07 Aveo with 101K Miles on it. Ive changed my fluid every 10K or less since new. Fluid is as clean as the day I bought the car, transmission shifts like new too.

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Yes, it's the best prevention money can buy, and it costs so little to do it yourself.

An automatic transmission rebuild is one of the most expensive repairs a car can incur. I've been through several and discovered this the hard way.

"An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." :wink:

Its a shame that shipping is so prohibitively expensive on fluids.

I work in parts at Lexus Of Wayzata and can buy Toyota T-IV for dirt cheap. The Toyota T-IV fluid is actually a synthetic fluid, from what I've learned, too.

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Originally Posted by Shibbs

Its a shame that shipping is so prohibitively expensive on fluids.

I work in parts at Lexus Of Wayzata and can buy Toyota T-IV for dirt cheap. The Toyota T-IV fluid is actually a synthetic fluid, from what I've learned, too.

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You don't need to buy fancy, exotic fluid. The transmission fluid all Aveos use is plain old Dexron III. Chevrolet didn't manufacture the transaxle, Aisin did. And their specification calls for Dexron III.

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Originally Posted by Thymeclock

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Originally Posted by campuscop2003

Hello, I'm new here. I have an 07 Aveo with 101K Miles on it. Ive changed my fluid every 10K or less since new. Fluid is as clean as the day I bought the car, transmission shifts like new too.

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Yes, it's the best prevention money can buy, and it costs so little to do it yourself.

An automatic transmission rebuild is one of the most expensive repairs a car can incur. I've been through several and discovered this the hard way.

"An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." :wink:

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Thats my thinking. I am an Over-Maintenance kind of person, oil changes with full syn every 3K, Transmission drain and refills lately every other oil change, antifreeze once per year, power steering fluid once per year. The way I see it, its gotta get me the length of the loan with no probs, and will have about 175 to 180K Miles on it then, so I am willing to take maintenance to the extreme to have it last that long without issues. The Timing belt has been changed twice in the 101K miles, tensioner and idler once. Water pump seemed like new still, and with changing the antifreeze once or twice a year to keep it fresh, not worried bout that at the moment.

you change your tranny fluid that much :?:

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Originally Posted by thehunterooo

you change your tranny fluid that much :?:

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I do it on my older cars twice a year during an oil change, regardless of mileage. My Aveo is newish (5000 miles) so I'll probably wait until about 20K to start regular trans fluid changes.

You are only draining some of the fluid out of course, but doing regular drain and refills does help keep the fluid renewed.

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Originally Posted by Thymeclock

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Originally Posted by Shibbs

Its a shame that shipping is so prohibitively expensive on fluids.

I work in parts at Lexus Of Wayzata and can buy Toyota T-IV for dirt cheap. The Toyota T-IV fluid is actually a synthetic fluid, from what I've learned, too.

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You don't need to buy fancy, exotic fluid. The transmission fluid all Aveos use is plain old Dexron III. Chevrolet didn't manufacture the transaxle, Aisin did. And their specification calls for Dexron III.

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Well, to maintain my 100,000mi powertrain warranty, GM calls for T-IV in my 2009. So that's what I'll be putting in it.

The owners manual says to change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. I changed mine at 87900 miles and the color was brown and I can tell the transmission is in good shape because no metal shavings on the magnet in the transmission pan. When taking the pan off I dumped 3 quarts out and had to put back 3 quarts.

I almost forgot to mention according to the service department at my dealer they said to put in dexron III or Import type VI

over maintenance can cost as much as or more than failure.

synthetic oil change every 3k for 180k= ( @$30 for an oil change) $1800

versus

dino oil change at 5k for 180k = ($15) $540

versus

Never changing the oil and putting a new engine in every 60k (@ $600 a long block) $1800.



i think with all the eco driving most of you guys seem to do, you spend the money on fluids instead? I would spend the @ $540 on oil changes and pocket the $1260 for a new long block at 150-200k. But i am more of a fix it when it breaks type.

Now I want to look up what the interval says in my 2010. I will be racking up miles pretty fast so I want to be ahead of the warranty game.

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Originally Posted by Shibbs

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Originally Posted by Thymeclock

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Originally Posted by Shibbs

Its a shame that shipping is so prohibitively expensive on fluids.

I work in parts at Lexus Of Wayzata and can buy Toyota T-IV for dirt cheap. The Toyota T-IV fluid is actually a synthetic fluid, from what I've learned, too.

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You don't need to buy fancy, exotic fluid. The transmission fluid all Aveos use is plain old Dexron III. Chevrolet didn't manufacture the transaxle, Aisin did. And their specification calls for Dexron III.

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Well, to maintain my 100,000mi powertrain warranty, GM calls for T-IV in my 2009. So that's what I'll be putting in it.

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You won't go wrong by doing so, but the transmission design hasn't changed since the Aveo was designed.

The A/T on all Aveos is the Aisin 81-40LE. Here is the reference: http://lacetti.com.ua/manual/EN/documen ... ml#J0B0RFL (For some reason copying this link didn't work. Scroll back to my earlier post in this thread where it does work.)

Sure, you could use the later Dexrons that supersede III, but there is no reason to pay more for it, and it won't make any difference.

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Originally Posted by petrified.rabbit

over maintenance can cost as much as or more than failure.

synthetic oil change every 3k for 180k= ( @$30 for an oil change) $1800

versus

dino oil change at 5k for 180k = ($15) $540

versus

Never changing the oil and putting a new engine in every 60k (@ $600 a long block) $1800.



i think with all the eco driving most of you guys seem to do, you spend the money on fluids instead? I would spend the @ $540 on oil changes and pocket the $1260 for a new long block at 150-200k. But i am more of a fix it when it breaks type.

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Well we are not you I change my own oil every 3,000 miles I never let some service shop do it. Letting your engine go out is an act of stupidity, As a mechanic will tell you don't buy a car just ride a bike.

i do oil changes with dino oil every 3 month or 5k which ever come first, check the oil level/color/smell/consistancy every 1000. Its $20-25 for an oil change because of the $12 filter. I'll probably consider changing my tranny fluid when recommended or at 100k. Whichever come first.

i didnt say i would let mine go, but according to this thread changing oil every 3000 miles when your running synthetic, or changing your tranny fluid every 10k is a good idea, when in reality it is wasteful spending and time.
Failure unfortunately doesn't care about your maintenance, i've seen audis go 140k miles without an oil change. (how do i know, i saw the markings from the factory on the oil filter, And the owner bought it new and admitted to never changing the oil. I've also seen brand the same engine throw a rod, burn up a turbo, seize the cams, in very well maintained cars in under 50k.. Changing your tranny fluid doesn't eliminate a problem. The only reason you should need to change it like that is if the problem is already there, overheating the fluid, or whatever. And those prices i used were very conservative, especially if you are paying someone else. I think some shops charge like 50-60 bucks for a synthetic oil change.

I tend to not post in these threads, but sometimes i cant help myself not because of what you guys do yourselves, i could care less, but because someone is going to read this thread and think if they spend $3000 in "preventative" maintenance, that nothing can possibly happen to their car, and that is not reality.

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Changing your tranny fluid doesn't eliminate a problem.

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That's correct. As said before, it is done to prevent a potential problem. Waiting for the fluid to turn brown before changing it is not beneficial.

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The only reason you should need to change it like that is if the problem is already there, overheating the fluid, or whatever.

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By then it is usually too little, too late.

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I tend to not post in these threads, but sometimes i cant help myself not because of what you guys do yourselves, i could care less,

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If that were really the case, you would not be commenting. :?

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...but because someone is going to read this thread and think if they spend $3000 in "preventative" maintenance, that nothing can possibly happen to their car, and that is not reality.

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No one suggested spending "$3000" or any large amount, except you. I recommended renewing your tranny fluid when you change your motor oil, and it might cost all of $5 for two quarts; that's far less than even the oil change costs if you are changing your own fluids.

How do you know what anyone might "think"? [-X Why should you care what others think? Can we let others to read and think, and allow them to form their own opinions and decide for themselves? [-o<

i deal with people every day that do things based on recommendations, or what someone else suggested. I usually spend time fixing other mechanics mistakes. Or fixing cars that places like firestone, sear, and even dealership cant figure the problem out. And i usually work for free, so i do care about what other people might think, its the impression of the car, that in order for an aveo to run reliably you have to change the tranny fluid every 10k, well then i dont want to buy an aveo. Statements like that spread faster than all the good qualities about the aveo. There are a lot of members here, first time car owners who know little to nothing about cars, people who just browse through the forum because they came across it in a search as to why their car is doing something strange, etc that might come across this thread and start changing their fluids at your intervals because they dont know better. Look at a perspective beyond your own, we've had posters join the boards in the past to complain about a recommendation made on these boards not working or creating bigger problems.

the $3000 comes from the overall cost of changing synthetic oil every 3k miles, and the tranny fluid every 10k for the 180k planned for the engine to last. And I am saying that you dont need to spend that to have it last that long. Why you guys choose to do is is beyond me, if the fluid starts to turn brown, or anything you best change it all. Not just 2 quarts (how much does the torque convert and auto in the aveo take?)

I do extreme Maint for my own peace of mind! To each thier own. It makes me feel damn good that every fluid in my vehicle is as fresh as the day it drove off the truck. This car is my lifeline, without it I dont go to work, my wife doesn't go to work, we dont get food, see family, doctors....etc. I would spend 10K per year on maint if it ment that the car would be in tip top shape, reliable, and trouble free for the 180K to 200K miles I will rely on this vehicle. IMO changing the trans fluid every 6 to 10K keeps the add pack fresh, the fluid clean, the trans clean. can anyone with a straight face tell me that a transmission with fresh fluid that has never been bad, fresh as the day it was new, changed every 6K to 10K, over a span of 200K miles is going to fair the same as one that gets changed when the fluid turns brown or black. :shock: Yeah a car might last 150 to 200K with little or basic maint. Yeah, fine. The car that has had been highly taken care of should double that. Thinking its nonsense that we change our fluids so frequent, maybe we care more about our vehicles :evil: . Like I said this vehicle is my lifeline, not just something I can take for granted.