ATF
06-20-2019, 12:00 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-15-2019
Location: Houston,TX
Posts: 8
ATF
I just purchased a 2009 LS Panel with 133,xxx miles. What is recommended to do with the transmission, since there is not a dipstick? I also doubt the fluid and/or filter have ever been addressed.
06-20-2019, 12:26 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-05-2014
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 2,366
I had the dealer change the tranny fluid at 50K. Cost included a pan gasket. I think the durability and reliability of these transmissions is mindly remarkable.
06-20-2019, 01:21 PM
#3
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,691
What a hijack!
Best advice is to read your Owner Manual. You can get a free digital copy via the link in my sig.
Best advice is to read your Owner Manual. You can get a free digital copy via the link in my sig.
06-20-2019, 02:27 PM
#5
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,691
What would a dipstick tell you?
06-20-2019, 03:02 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-15-2019
Location: Houston,TX
Posts: 8
Nothing I guess.
06-20-2019, 03:14 PM
#7
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,691
There are either signs of a leak or not. The Owner Manual has guidelines for changing the fluid. Most people ignore the Owner Manual and do whatever their dad did.
06-20-2019, 04:37 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-15-2019
Location: Houston,TX
Posts: 8
Thank you sir. I now understand that every other car my dad and I have owned was improperly/unnecessarily equipped with a dip stick and GM finally got it right with the HHR. 
This car did not come with a owner's manual (yes sir, I saw that you have a link for it after you responded pointing it out, thanks for that!).
I apologize for asking owners of the same vehicle for their experiences and recommendations. Please remove all my posts and I will just lurk and not bother anyone by posting on a forum. Again, I apologize for my mistakes.
This car did not come with a owner's manual (yes sir, I saw that you have a link for it after you responded pointing it out, thanks for that!).
I apologize for asking owners of the same vehicle for their experiences and recommendations. Please remove all my posts and I will just lurk and not bother anyone by posting on a forum. Again, I apologize for my mistakes.
06-20-2019, 04:50 PM
#9
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,502
Nobody said , our father’s where wrong
there is a process to check the 4T45E transmission.
I changed mine at 150,000 miles, no real need to , but I’m from that preventative maintenance, school of thought.
I’m at 286,000 ish miles now , I don’t think I’ll change it again.
The owners manual states usage peramitiers but in general it’s lifetime of the vehicle.
individual preference , is up to the owner.
there is a process to check the 4T45E transmission.
I changed mine at 150,000 miles, no real need to , but I’m from that preventative maintenance, school of thought.
I’m at 286,000 ish miles now , I don’t think I’ll change it again.
The owners manual states usage peramitiers but in general it’s lifetime of the vehicle.
individual preference , is up to the owner.
06-20-2019, 06:03 PM
#10
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,691
WTF!
In the past the main use for the dipstick was a handy way to add fluid because they always leaked. One of the major improvements in this century is not many new drips on driveways because of better seals.
In the past the main use for the dipstick was a handy way to add fluid because they always leaked. One of the major improvements in this century is not many new drips on driveways because of better seals.