Transmission Fluid

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
There is a 22mm fill plug in the side of the transmission.
You need to make sure the transmission fluid temperature is between 80-122 F then start the vehicle.
Place the shifter in EACH gear position and then return to park.
Remove the fill plug, you should see just a drop or 2 dribble out.
If not, it requires fluid till it comes out of the hole.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[killain]

While we're on the subject, How often should you change the fluid in the 2003 automatic trans? I have 11K on my Vette, don't drive it much since I got hurt and was wondering if time played a determining factor in changing the fluid?

 

[Hib Halverson]

I'd like to help clear-up some misunderstanding about C5/6 trans lubricants.

c4c5 Specialist is spot-on when he says not to use GM "Synchromesh" lube in C5/C6 manual transmissions. While it is specified for various rear drive manual transmissions and some front drive transaxles, it's not suggested for use in the Warner or TREMEC T56.

To meet warranty requirements and for cost-effective use in cars which see easy or normal driving, any brand of ATF which meets the Dexron III specification will work. For maximum trans durability, I recommend ignoring GM's suggestion that manuals never need to have fluid changes and adopt a 3yr/36000 mile fluid change schedule.

If you want premium lubrication, improvement in shift feel and (in many cases) a slight decrease in shift effort and you are willing to pay more for the oil, then Red Line D4 ATF (which meets Dex III) is an excellent choice.

If you drive the car really hard on the street in hot weather, you do occasional track day road race events, or you drag race regularly. I suggest converting to Red Line MTL which is a low-viscosity, GL4 gear lubricant, rather than an ATF. In extreme duty, the transmission's durability and shiftability will improve over that lube'd with ATF.

If you race a lot or your C5/6 is race only, you need a unique racing lubricant Red Line makes called "Superlight Shockproof Gear Lubricant". It's probably the ultimate manual trans lube for a C5/C6 but it has a downside--cold shiftability is not as good as that of D4 ATF or MTL, however, the problem lasts only a very short time. As soon as the gearbox begins to warm, shiftability improves.

As for automatics in C5/6, for warranty requirements and cost effective service, you want to use the ATF (probably either Dex III or Dex IV) listed in your owners manual.

If you desire premium lubrication use Red Line D4 Synthetic ATF.

If you are drag racing or road racing an automatic car on a regular basis one of Red Line's racing ATFs will be a better choice.

As for changing the lube in a C5/6 automatic, the automatics used in those cars do not have a conventional "dip stick". The trans fluid level has to be checked with the car up on a lift and running, by removing the trans fill plug and visually checking the level in manner similar to how you check the fluid in a manual. See the FSM for details.

For maximum transmission durability, I would ignore GM's "marketing scam" of a lifetime ATF and go to the more common 3yr/36000 mile fluid/filter change schedule.

 

[Gry Ghst]

HI there,
There is a 22mm fill plug in the side of the transmission.
You need to make sure the transmission fluid temperature is between 80-122 F then start the vehicle.
Place the shifter in EACH gear position and then return to park.
Remove the fill plug, you should see just a drop or 2 dribble out.
If not, it requires fluid till it comes out of the hole.
Allthebest, c4c5

Thank you,it is good to have an expert arround here not to mention "world class",thanks again.

 

[Glide]

There isn't one on a 2004.

My bad...rookie mistake. Don't know why I chimed in as I've never had an automatic in anything but my pick-up. Sorry Gry Ghst.

 

[Gry Ghst]

My bad...rookie mistake. Don't know why I chimed in as I've never had an automatic in anything but my pick-up. Sorry Gry Ghst.

It's no big deal.I would have a Z06 but the boss can not drive a stick and she is not interested in learning, so I do not push it.If the boss is not happy nobody's happy!!!I'm sure everybody understands that.

 

[Gry Ghst]

It's no big deal.I would have a Z06 but the boss can not drive a stick and she is not interested in learning, so I do not push it.If the boss is not happy nobody's happy!!!I'm sure everybody understands that.

By the way that is why it went to Lingenfelter for the cam and head package also added headers, 2800 stall converter new air intake, new h/d radiator,new(bigger)fuel injecters.The Ghst runs very good 482hp at the crank.