Do-it-yourself automatic transmission oil change in a Chevrolet Cruze, choosing atf oil

01/24/2022 12 150 Lubrication system

Author: Victor

An automatic transmission is a unit that cannot operate normally without lubrication. The presence of lubricant in the gearbox allows all components and mechanisms to function correctly, so the issue of replacing the fluid is relevant for all car owners. How to change the oil in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission and what needs to be taken into account, we will tell you in this article.

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Transmission oil change interval

The Chevrolet Cruze is equipped with four, five and six-speed automatic transmissions of the 6T40E, 6T30E series from General Motors. These machines are designed for vehicles with engine capacity from 1.4 liters to 3.2 liters. The 6T40E automatic can be seen on the 2008 Chevrolet Captiva.

Some of them are already outdated machines. Therefore, they require special attention. Although the manufacturer says that the oil in the box does not need to be changed at all. The box is considered maintenance-free according to GM managers.

In the Russian climate and with the extreme driving style of young car enthusiasts, experienced car owners recommend a partial change of the lubricant after 30 thousand kilometers. And the transmission fluid is completely replaced after 60 thousand km.

Attention! Experts advise carrying out visual inspections of the machine during operation for oil drips from under the drain plug connecting the pan to the bottom of the Cruze machine.

After purchasing a used Chevrolet Cruze from another person, experienced mechanics recommend a complete replacement of not only the lubricant, but also the automatic transmission components. To do this, you need to bring the car for maintenance at a service center.

Read

Automatic transmission oil: functions, type and which one is better to fill

Practical advice on choosing oil in a Chevrolet Cruse automatic transmission

In a Cruze automatic transmission, filling in new oil is easier than replacing transmission fluid in a Volkswagen Tiguan. The latter car would have had to undergo a pressure replacement procedure.

Therefore, the main question is the choice of the Cruze automatic transmission oil itself. Since the gearbox is an old modification and very capricious, experts recommend changing the lubricant only to the original one. Other oils may not be suitable in their properties.

A lubricant that differs from the original has a different structure and does not always save the Cruze automatic transmission from overheating or severe friction. As a result, the mechanical parts of the car quickly wear out. This leads to the destruction of the leading components of the Cruze and a major overhaul of the machine.

Original oil

Although the Cruise machine is assembled in Chinese factories, the original lubricant for it is made based on the properties of Dexron 6 oil. The expert is recommended to replace the used lubricant

GM93740313 4 SP from the manufacturer General Motors.

ATF Dexron VI is the one and only type of oil that is recommended for use. For manual transmissions, experienced mechanics advise using different oils. The mechanics on the Cruise are less finicky.

Analogs

If the original oil cannot be found in the city where the car owner of the TS Cruz lives, then it is recommended to turn to analogues. But oil analogues for the Chevrolet Cruse automatic transmission must comply with the Dexron 6 standard.

Lubricants that are developed according to the Dexron 6 standard for automatic transmissions on the Chevrolet Cruze:

Mobil Dexron VI ATF;
ZIC;
Havoline Dexron VI ATF.

Attention! A lubricant whose manufacturers claim that it is made according to the above standard, Liqui Moly Top 1200 does not meet it. The preparation technique and additives used for this lubricant are created according to the Dexron 3 standard.

After the car owner has purchased the necessary lubricant, experts recommend moving on to compiling materials for a comprehensive lubricant change. They will be discussed in the next block. And now instructions for checking the lubricant level in a Cruze automatic transmission after 10,000 kilometers.

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Checking the level

To check the oil level in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission, the car owner needs to follow the steps described below:

Be sure to warm up the car. Without this, he will not be able to know the adequate amount of lubrication. Place the machine on level ground.
Start the engine and wait five minutes. The gear shifter is set to the “Parking” position.
Press the brake pedal and move the gear shift lever through all positions several times.
Turn off the engine, open the hood of the Cruze. There is no dipstick on the machine, so the check is carried out through a control plug specially installed by the manufacturer.
Unscrew the control plug to check the oil level and quality.
A small amount of grease should come out. If it does not spill out, add lubricant.

Do all work with gloves so as not to burn your hands on hot liquid. When checking the level, be sure to pay attention to the color of the Cruze automatic transmission lubricant. If it has changed from pink to black or dark brown, then experts recommend replacing the lubricant.

This automatic transmission likes it when the oil level is a little higher. Therefore, a small overflow is not dangerous for a Cruze automatic transmission.

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Changing the oil in the Hyundai Accent automatic transmission

conclusions

You need to keep an eye on the oil and level.

The above procedures are performed when it is simply necessary to determine the level of lubricating fluid by adding the missing part. When replacement is required, the procedure will be significantly different.

Oil should include 7.6 liters

, and when drained only from the pan, only 5.5 liters

There is one trick that will help solve this problem. But this is a topic for another article. We sorted out this difficulty, let's go.

/ Engine

Many Chevrolet Cruze car owners repeatedly wonder how to check the oil level in the automatic transmission. I would like to immediately note that the automatic transmission does not have a dipstick, so we measure the oil level using a control plug.

Procedure for checking the oil level of a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission

Before checking, the box must be warmed up. It is better that the warming up process occurs while the car is moving, in which case the clutch and valve block will be filled with oil.

After stopping with the engine running, we switch the gear selector throughout the entire range, while making a delay of 5-10 seconds in each position.

Then, without turning off the engine, use the 11 key to unscrew the control plug. Let the oil drain into a prepared container.

If the oil does not flow after turning the plug out, then the level is low and it needs to be topped up. It is recommended to maintain an increased oil level in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission by an average of 500 grams more.

Oil is added to the automatic transmission through the breather, which is located on top of its body, until it begins to flow out through the control hole.

Then tighten the cap and add about another 500 grams.

When checking the oil level of the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission, pay attention to its color. If the oil is dark or completely black, there is a breakdown that needs to be diagnosed and repaired.

Then carry out a complete oil change in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission.

Procedure for checking the oil level of a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission

Before checking, the box must be warmed up. It is better that the warming up process occurs while the car is moving, in which case the clutch and valve block will be filled with oil.
After stopping with the engine running, we switch the gear selector throughout the entire range, while making a delay of 5-10 seconds in each position.
Then, without turning off the engine, use the 11 key to unscrew the control plug. Let the oil drain into a prepared container.

If the oil does not flow after turning the plug out, then the level is low and it needs to be topped up. It is recommended to maintain an increased oil level in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission
by an average of 500 grams more.
Oil is added to the automatic transmission through the breather, which is located on top of its body, until it begins to flow out through the control hole. This is the case if an oil change in the automatic transmission is not required.

Checking the automatic transmission oil level of a Chevrolet Cruze

Then tighten the cap and add about another 500 grams.

When checking the oil level of a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission

pay attention to its color. If the oil is dark or completely black, there is a breakdown that needs to be diagnosed and repaired.

Then carry out a complete oil change in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission.

An automatic transmission is one of the main units of energy transfer between the power plant and the wheels. It is very sensitive to the quality of the lubricant and compliance with replacement intervals.

During operation, it is necessary to periodically monitor the oil level and add it if necessary. If these rules are violated, the automatic transmission may fail, followed by expensive repairs.

Materials for a comprehensive oil change in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission

Before changing the lubricant, the car owner is required to purchase all the components that will be needed when changing the fluid.

Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission filter No. 213010A for the 6T30 automatic transmission. Most Chevrolet Cruze cars have this particular modification of automatic transmission;
oil based on Dexron 6 in quantities of up to 8 liters;
gasket for the pan and drain plug, as they could wear out;
wrenches;
drain container with measuring marks;
lint-free cloth;
hose and funnel;
A five-liter bottle will be needed for a complete oil change.

After all the materials have been prepared, you can begin changing the transmission fluid.

Preparing for work

Before changing the oil in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission, it is important to properly prepare for the process. It is necessary to prepare the tools that may be required, as well as purchase lubricant and filter suitable for the unit

And then start replacing.

Tools and materials

Basic tools and materials that will be required:

new oil - you will need 5-6 liters of fluid;
set of wrenches;
a basin or bucket where the waste will be collected;
watering can or funnel for filling;
rags.

What kind of oil should I fill in?

The most important nuance in preparation is to choose the lubricant that you will fill. Initially, at the factory, the manufacturer pours Dextron GM VI lubricant into the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission. Therefore, it is advisable to use the same oil.

Original oil from General Motors for automatic transmission

Do-it-yourself oil change in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission

Self-replacement is carried out in a pit so that there is free access to the Cruze automatic transmission pan and the bottom of the car. Instructions for changing the oil in an automatic transmission with your own hands step by step in the following blocks.

Draining old oil from the tank

To drain the lubricant from the Cruze automatic transmission, you need to warm it up.

Start the Chevrolet Cruze engine.
Drive a car for five kilometers.
Drive the car onto a pit or overpass.
Turn off the Cruise engine.
Take the drain container, keys and crawl under the car. Unscrew the drain plug.
Wait until the oil from the Cruze automatic transmission is poured into the prepared container.

To change the lubricant, you will need to remove the pan and clean it. Otherwise, the remaining dirt will quickly turn fresh oil into dirty oil and there will be no benefit from the change.

Washing the tray and removing chips

Leave the oil container in place, take the keys and unscrew the pan bolts. Carefully remove it so that the remaining oil does not get on the person. Pour the old grease into a container.

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The removed gearbox pan must be washed to remove chips and carbon deposits of old fluid. The magnets are also washed and metal debris is removed from them.

After washing, it is recommended to remove the gasket with a knife, because it is firmly embedded in the edge of the metal of the pan. Degrease and install a new seal on the silicone.

Replacing the filter

Now you need to move on to changing the filter device. Many car owners are looking for information on how to replace the filter. But there is nothing complicated about changing the filter device.

Unscrew the bolts that hold it in place.
Remove and install a new device.
Tighten the bolts.

After replacing the filter, you need to put the pan in place and tighten it so that it fits snugly to the bottom of the Cruze automatic transmission.

Filling with new oil

After the components have been assembled and the pan is closed, you can begin to pour fresh oil into the automatic transmission.

Screw in the drain plug. Unscrew the control to check the level.
The filler hole is located under the hood. Remove the breather and insert a hose into the hole and a funnel into the other end of the hose.
Fill in new lubricant. A partial fluid change will require 2 to 4 liters of lubricant.
When oil flows from the hole into which the control plug was inserted, stop filling.
Screw the plug into the hole to check the level.
Start the engine and drive a short distance. Check the oil level on the Cruze automatic. If the oil does not flow out, add more.

To completely change the lubricant, you will need a special high-pressure apparatus or a five-liter bottle if the car owner does the change with his own hands.

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Results

Be careful as the oil may still be hot and will spill. If you lower one end of the pan first, you will be able to direct the flow of fluid into the drain pan.
Reinstall the new gasket. I usually use a lot of bolts to hold the gasket in place while you install the cover. Tighten them carefully to ensure the cap is evenly tightened. Now we can add new automatic transmission fluid.
Be careful not to overfill the container. Add mixture about halfway up the dipstick, then go for a 10-minute drive. Stick to what the owner's manual recommends and you can't go wrong.
If you only want to change your Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission oil, simply use the oil pump to drain the oil. You will leave a small amount of transmission oil at the bottom of the pan and filter. I was able to get 3.5 quarts out using a vacuum oil pump.
Consult your service manual for recommended replacement intervals. Changing it more often will not harm your car. Just time and additional costs.
With the parking brake applied and your foot on the brake pedal, start the engine and move the shift lever through all gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
An overflow condition of transmission fluid in a storage tank can cause misalignment and/or engagement problems and/or possible damage to the transmission. High fluid levels may be caused by overheating.

Complete replacement of transmission fluid in automatic transmission

A complete oil change in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission repeats all the steps of a partial change. After fresh grease is added, the car owner needs to remove the return hose from the radiator and insert it into a five-liter bottle. Ask your partner to start the engine.

The five-liter bottle will contain black used fluid that remains in the distant components of the Cruze automatic transmission. Wait until it changes color to light. Turn off the engine.

You need to add the same amount that was poured into a five-liter bottle. Typically, when completely replacing the lubricant in a Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission, up to 9 liters are used.

If the car owner has a high-pressure apparatus, then use it. Insert one hose into the filler hole using a fitting, and connect the other to the hose from the radiator. Wait until the liquid in the barrel into which the old lubricant is drained becomes lighter in color.

Install all the parts in their places and start the engine. Drive the Chevrolet Cruze for a short distance. It is advisable not to develop a speed higher than first gear so that the lubricant is evenly distributed throughout all automatic transmission components.