My wifes Mopar book says 125K for trans fuild/filter replacement..

We never have any auto trannys here Flushed, too many horror stories.

Fliud drain & change is quite different.

i did change my transmission oil and filter at 60k because i found transmission oil inside the radiator, so i was afraid that water may be mixed in the transmission too.
but buy the filter and the pan gasket before you open anything.

The dealer change the auto fluid at ~60k miles. I just agreed to it, thinking all the time that the owners manual says at 100K. It seems that some shops just want to add "unecessary" service to pad the bill. I purchase tires, and the tire shop wanted to flush the brake lines, do an alignment (was done the week before) and engine flush.

I have about 92K on the HHR now and was thinking of having the transmission fluid drained and flushed at my local shop. Since there is no way to check fluid level or fluid condition, no one really knows what condition the fluid is in. Why GM designed a sealed system is unknown to me.

Even though the manual says 100K, I would also want to change it based on time intervals too. I can't see fliud going through all the heating and cooling cycles lasting more than 48 to 60 months. I know in my motorhome, which has synthetic fluid in the transmission, (gallons and gallons of it) the recommendation is 100,000 miles or 48 months.

Laco....

I think you need to change your trans fluid:lol:. My 2006 AND the 2007 Owners Manual indicates trans axle fluid changes at 50,000, 100,000, 150,000.

Maybe other vehicle years are different....don't know.

The 50/100/150k fluid changes are advised if you meet the criteria of "Severe Service" driving as noted in the owner's manual under footnote "h" in the maintenance section.

"(h) Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
− In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
− In hilly or mountainous terrain.
− When doing frequent trailer towing.
− Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions,
the fluid and filter do not require changing."

All that being said, I changed the fluid in our 2006 when it hit 100k, I'll do the same in my 2007 when it hits 100k, if only for peace of mind and keeping the high summer temperatures we see in the Southland as a factor in the life of the fluid.

Ok, but what did you do about the trans fluid getting in the rad ?

I'd say a radiator change would be the next logical step being that the cooler is integral with the radiator end tank on the left side. And how did he determine that it was in fact transmission fluid?

Snoopy, I too have a 2007 HHR, but mine is a five speed. Have to check the manual, but I don't think fluid change is mentioned. Could be wrong. Only have 30K on the 2007 at this point, though it has been towed behind the motorhome, probably another 15K or so, which does not register on the odometer.

Precisely my point..