Transmission Fluid Level

nh09z71 · June 2, 2009

Just for s***s and giggles....I decided to check my tranny fluid level today. The truck has almost 2000 miles on it now. It had 4 when I picked it up.

Anyhow....the fluid level is fairly low....like barely over the "cold" mark when the tranny was hot(136 deg).

Should I be concerned about this? Should I just get the correct fluid and top it off? Or should I take it to the dealer, let them top it off...and have it documented that it was low when I picked it up?

Thanks.

jrrod2004 · June 2, 2009

Just for s***s and giggles....I decided to check my tranny fluid level today. The truck has almost 2000 miles on it now. It had 4 when I picked it up.

Anyhow....the fluid level is fairly low....like barely over the "cold" mark when the tranny was hot(136 deg).

Should I be concerned about this? Should I just get the correct fluid and top it off? Or should I take it to the dealer, let them top it off...and have it documented that it was low when I picked it up?

Thanks.

yes, mine died because of this very reason

slomo007 · June 2, 2009

Mine was low from the factory also, didn't check it until 15k miles or so (oops). I added it and haven't worried about it since. It was about at the cold mark even when warmed up also.

nh09z71 · June 2, 2009

yes, mine died because of this very reason

Can you expand on this? How low on fluid was it? When did it die? Did GM replace the tranny under warranty?

Stevens03 · June 2, 2009

Yes, Worry about it... make sure it's at the correct level.

nh09z71 · June 2, 2009

Mine was low from the factory also, didn't check it until 15k miles or so (oops). I added it and haven't worried about it since. It was about at the cold mark even when warmed up also.

Do you remember how much fluid it took to top it off? I'm thinking that if it's less than a quart, it's probably no big deal.

nh09z71 · June 2, 2009

just to add...I do plan on getting the fluid topped off. Just not sure if I should take it to the dealer and what not....otherwise, I'll just pick some fluid and top it off.

Irv · June 2, 2009

I guess I had better check mine! Just figured it would be at the correct level coming from the factory then PDI'd at the dealer?

Not surprised though; I wish I had a hoist, I would like to check out the whole truck with a good torque wrench and some torque values in hand!

jrrod2004 · June 2, 2009

yes, mine died because of this very reason

Can you expand on this? How low on fluid was it? When did it die? Did GM replace the tranny under warranty?

It was around 2 quarts low and they (GM and dealership) tried to blame it on me but I told them that they would bear the burden of proof that I opened the transmission. Shop foreman could easily tell that none of the pan bolts had been fiddled with nor the clamps on the hoses. GM warrantied it out and I got a new trans. I then paid the dealership to drain the new oil that they had put in a week later and to properly fill it. I paid for it at the time simply for cheap insurance...

jrrod2004 · June 2, 2009

I guess I had better check mine! Just figured it would be at the correct level coming from the factory then PSI'd at the dealer?
Not surprised though; I wish I had a hoist, I would like to check out the whole truck with a good torque wrench and some torque values in hand!

no, the PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) would check all the fluids on it but it has been known to either be 1) Claimed by the dealership that they did the PDI and never did it or 2) The trans was checked but the dealership but the dealership did not determine that anymore was needed. Whenever PDI was done and something had to be filled to spec, that was claimed under warranty and paid by GM

jrrod2004 · June 2, 2009

just to add...I do plan on getting the fluid topped off. Just not sure if I should take it to the dealer and what not....otherwise, I'll just pick some fluid and top it off.

Personally, I would take it to the dealership and have them force GM to warranty it if it low enough so that there is an actual record on GM's side that there may be a "defect" in the amount of fluid and this could cause hardware failure down the road. By the way, mine was around 15000 miles when it died.

punmax · June 2, 2009

I would take it to the dealership. The life of your transmission probably got shortened a lot and when it does fail, they can not blame you.

slomo007 · June 2, 2009

Mine was low from the factory also, didn't check it until 15k miles or so (oops). I added it and haven't worried about it since. It was about at the cold mark even when warmed up also.

Do you remember how much fluid it took to top it off? I'm thinking that if it's less than a quart, it's probably no big deal.

A little more than half a quart....just top it off yourself and save yourself about an hour of dealing with dealership employees.

c4cruiser · June 3, 2009

Not to hijack the thread, but the tranny on my 08 Silverado LTZ with the 6/0 motor is leaking some. The sway bar has drops of ATF on it and the bottom of the inspection cover is moist. There is a definite film of red fluid on the lower portion of the case.

I have about 6300 mile sn the truck now. I had the last oil change done at the dealer (freebie) and I would have assumed they checked the trans fluid level although the work order doesn't specifically say the fluid level is full or if any fluid was added.

Is leakage an issue with the new trucks? And if so, what sort of problems could I expect when I go back to the dealer and talk to the service department?