How i changed my transaxle fluid

[Sam12345]

Important:
• The replacement Drive Unit will be shipped filled with DEXRON®-HP ATF. The “HP” stands for High
Performance. DEXRON® HP transmission fluid is a fully synthetic version of the older DEXRON® III fluid.
• Check and add/drain Drive Unit fluid to the correct level as instructed in Drive Unit Fluid Level and Condition
Check in SI before releasing the vehicle. Low or high fluid levels could result in erratic operation and internal
Drive Unit damage.
• Use of any ATF other than DEXRON®-HP may result in Drive Unit damage.
Caution: The Drive Unit fluid level must be checked when the Drive Unit fluid temperature is between 30 – 50°C
(86–122°F). If the Drive Unit fluid temperature is not within this range, operate the vehicle or allow the fluid to cool as
required. Setting the fluid level with a Drive Unit fluid temperature outside this range will result in either an under or
over-filled Drive Unit. Drive Unit fluid temperature greater than 50°C will result in an under-filled condition, Drive Unit
fluid temperature less than 30°C will result in an over-filled condition. An under-filled Drive Unit will cause premature
component wear or damage. An over-filled Drive Unit will cause fluid to discharge out the vent tube, fluid foaming, or
pump cavitation.
Fluid Type and Capacity
"DEXRON® HP transmission fluid is a fully synthetic version of the older DEXRON® III fluid.
Service Operation Approximate Capacity - Litres or Qts.
Remove and Install Pan / Filter - 4.2L or 4.4 Qts
Dry Transmission (Empty) 4.2L or 4.4 Qts
Fluid Level and Condition Check Procedure
The Drive Unit fluid level and condition check procedure includes the stepsto check the Drive Unit fluid level, as well
as the conditions of the fluid.
The 1ET35 Drive Unit is not equipped with a fill tube or dipstick.

Therefore, a fill cap in the top of the Drive Unit (see top arrow) and level set plug (see lower arrow) sets the fluid
level. 0
1. Operate vehicle until Drive Unit fluid temperature is 30–50°C (86–122°F).
2. Raise the vehicle.
3. Remove the front compartment air deflector.
4. Place the Drive Unit in Park.
5. With the scan tool, command the auxiliary Drive Unit Fluid Pump speed to ON for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the Drive Unit case level set plug.
7. Verify fluid slowly drips from the hole that the case level set plug was removed from.
a. If the fluid is flowing as a steady stream, wait until the fluid begins to drip from the case level set plug hole.
b. If no fluid comes out, add .5 L (.52 Qts.) of fluid until fluid drips out of the case level set plug hole.
8. Install Drive Unit case level set plug and torque to 12 Y (106 lb. in).
9. Turn off the vehicle.
10. Install the front compartment air deflector.

[NORTON]

Sam,

Thanks so much for posting this procedure!

4.4qts for a fluid/filter change... Interesting. Now I need an extra qt. of the ATF I plan on using.

Can you post pictures of the 'Fill Cap'?

Form your post:
Therefore, a fill cap in the top of the Drive Unit (see top arrow) and level set plug (see lower arrow) sets the fluid
level.

Obviously to use this method the car must be jacked up and level. I'll have to skip the pump running portion.
Or fill it with 4.4qts. Drive it around the neighborhood briefly to hopefully have the pump run, then jack and level the car and remove the 'level plug' and see what comes out.
It may be slightly discolored due to the quantity that did not get removed when the pan was dropped.

I believe the 'scan tool' is the gm tool and not a standard OBD2 adapter. It needs gm diagnostic SW to make the pump run.

I like this little EV and want to keep it healthy as long as possible.
The A123 LFP based battery pack seems to be hanging in there just fine!!

[Sam12345]

4.4 qts is completely empty. You will never completely empty it. I would use the measuring method if i was you. The plug is the fill plug i showed the one i licktighted. I do not know how to link a pdf file.

Put this in google search and you should find it

SB-10052489-3795.pdf

[NORTON]

Sam,
Thanks for all the help!

[kromerok]

Is this the same as the Electric drive fluid change that happens at 97500?

[NORTON]

Is this the same as the Electric drive fluid change that happens at 97500?

Yes, just different terminology for the same thing.

[kromerok]

Wouldnt happen to know of a video of someone doing it would you?

[mastilinks]

The removal of the skid plate and transaxle pan is not demonstrated because it is quite simple. There is no drain plug, so be sure to collect all the fluid to accurately calculate the amount to be reinserted. Without a doubt, this is how I handled the situation.

[Porsche]

Very clever, ThomasBrown. You're a spammer all right. You actually copied and pasted someone else's post so it would look real, then, right in the middle of a sentence, you added a spam link.

[Harvey7]

How i changed my transaxle fluid

Hello!
It's great to hear that you've changed the transaxle fluid in your vehicle. Changing the transaxle fluid is an important maintenance task that can help to extend the life of your vehicle and improve its performance. If you could provide more details about your experience, I would be happy to hear them and provide any advice or insights that I can. What type of vehicle do you have, and what steps did you take to change the transaxle fluid?