Maintenance and Upkeep Discussion HHR maintenance tips ranging from oil change intervals to brake pads and everything in between.

Did an oil and transmission fluid change....easy

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Old 07-13-2013, 07:20 PM
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I gotta do my wife's HHR's trans filter and fluid soon. Probably do it when she's due for an oil change.
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Old 07-13-2013, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by frdfandc
I gotta do my wife's HHR's trans filter and fluid soon. Probably do it when she's due for an oil change.
Unless your wife does "severe service" driving don't worry about changing the trans fluid.
Read your Owner Manual, under normal service it needs no servicing, ever. Taxicab, Courier etc,. i.e. sitting in traffic all day every day is severe service, not stop & go 2 hours a day.
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Old 07-13-2013, 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by oldracer
According to my repair manual, there is a small vent somewhere on top of the transmission which would make sense as air has to get out when the transmission heats up and back in when it cools off. I guess by sealed, GM means no dip stick or drain plug? As many folks have noted, the idea is to have GM do it and since I would imagine their cost for transmission fluid is 10% or less than what we pay, the money is mostly labor.

Even if there is no vent, the fluid will still pour in as the air will get pushed out between the funnel and the threaded hole in the top of the case. As I said, the whole process was easy except for jacking and leveling the car which took the most time.
Where do you see GM claiming a "sealed" trans? The trans is a "long life, no service required" assembly. Dex VI is long life Synthetic, the tolerances are engineered for long life. Under normal use there is never any NEED to change the fluid. Do it if you want to spend the time and at least $50 for Dex VI alone, but the Owner Manual says "no routine service required" or something like that.

They don't make hydroflush transmissions anymore.
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Old 07-13-2013, 11:11 PM
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Auto tranny (normal use) 100K change fluid & filter...

50K (severe service only) change fluid & filter...
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Old 07-14-2013, 08:33 AM
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From the 2011 Owner Manual page 7-5. This is the only reference that I can find relating to changing ATF. Page 6-23 refers to type of fluid. I am assuming that the absence of a manufacturer's recommendation means it is not required, but may be done anytime.

"First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
. Engine air cleaner filter replacement. See Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21.
. Automatic transmission fluid change (severe
service only) for vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing a trailer, or used
for taxi, police, or delivery service. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6‑23"


Of course, my dealer and every service center I have been to recommends a transmission flush on every visit, regardless of mileage.
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Old 07-15-2013, 11:50 AM
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Ok, my 2008 OM says change it on page 6-6, listed under "Additional Required Services".
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Old 08-12-2013, 05:22 PM
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Whats the cost of Trans service at GM dealer?
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Old 08-12-2013, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by jbman
Whats the cost of Trans service at GM dealer?
Whatever they quote you when you call them. How the heck are we supposed to know what any one of thousands of shops charges? Probably upwards of $200.
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Old 08-12-2013, 07:35 PM
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Your right should never pose any stupid questions here
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Old 08-12-2013, 07:37 PM
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Oh but you did pretty much give the information I wanted jeez
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