Checking and/or changing transmission fluid
 

I copied for website. I hope I did it right.

http://knol.google.com/k/ehowknol/ch...e8hggiw4cz/620


Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate


Things You'll Need:
Hydraulic lift or oil change bay
Drip pan



Step 1:
Make arrangements to use a hydraulic lift or underground oil change bay. Keep in mind that the transmission fluid must be hot to be checked accurately, so you'll need to drive your HHR directly to the lift or bay after about 15 minutes of driving. This may complicate the timing if you're using someone else's lift or bay, so plan ahead and make an appointment if necessary. If possible, divide your 15 minutes of driving time between side streets and high-speed highways. This will force the car to go through all its gears during the drive, which will better distribute and warm up the transmission fluid.




Step 2:
Park the car over either a lowered lift or an open underground oil change bay. Leave the engine running. If you're using a hydraulic lift, make sure the lift arms are positioned under solid parts of the auto frame and use the controls to raise it up. You'll need to raise it high enough that you can get underneath it comfortably, but low enough that you can reach the transmission case.




Step 3:
Look at the bottom of the transmission case at the front of the HHR. You should see 2 removable plugs labeled "Drain" and "Check." Position a drip pan beneath the Check plug and unscrew the plug.

Editor's note: This is incorrect: The fill plug is on the top of the case. The check plug is on the side of the case, passenger side. There is no drain unless someone installed one after-market. (see illustration in post #7)

When reinstalling the pan bolts torque them to 106 lb INCHor you will distort the pan.


Step 4:
Observe the flow, if any, of transmission fluid coming from the plug. If you get a stream of transmission fluid, there is too much fluid in your system. If nothing comes out at all, there is too little fluid in the transmission. If you get a slow, steady drip, your fluid level is correct. Replace the Check plug. Make sure it's on tight before lowering the car or driving away.



Tips & Warnings
You won't find this information in the owner's manual of any Chevy with a sealed transmission; you'll only find a recommendation that you take your car to an authorized dealer for transmission service.
If you jack up your HHR with a floor jack to test the transmission fluid, all the fluid will run to 1 side of the transmission case and you'll get an inaccurate reading.


References
Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles; Tom D. Birch and Chuck Rockwood; 2009
Auto Repair for Dummies; Deanna Sclar; 2008
Chilton's Automatic Transmission Diagnosis and Repair: Auto Transmissions and Transaxles; Chilton; 1998

Written by Josh Crank

Great info...I have a question...Where do you put in the new fluid after removing the old fluid? How much new fluid does it take?
Thanks
Eddie

Eddie-

You add fluid thru the "Check Plug" hole, & the Automatic transaxle on complete drain & refill, takes approx 6.9 qts of DEXRON*-VI ATF.

Easiest to use a cheap remote pump for adding the fluid. Most auto-parts stores have them....

sleeper

hello, i have an 06 2LT auto, and I looked like crazy and could not find the plugs, I have changed a ton of filters and trans fluid in the past but i could not find these plugs.

I wouldn't expect to find it in the owner's manual but that information is in the HHR Service Manual. Also, that article is about checking the trans fluid and doesn't mention anything about changing it.

If you do a search for your topic, you'll probably find a post by "sleeper". It is an illustration from the Service Manual with arrows drawn to the "in" and "out" locations....yes, it has 2.

By the way, I think to do this correctly, you are supposed to weight the fluid.

Snoopy-

I think this is the image you've referred to..

There you are pbatman, sleeper to the rescue !!:lol:

Thanks, sleeper:thumb:

Thanks fellas, I did read somewhere about a red cap, but when I checked I only saw a black rubber disc that wasn't a cap to screw off but more of a 3 inch diameter rubber plug under a bunch of wire harnesses. I will check again, thanks for the info.

Is that true? I don't recall seeing two plugs where he mentions. I'll have to look again.