09/10 2.4 auto tranny oil change

[bdozer65]

Has anyone done or had it done? GM said not to worry about it until 50-60K miles. I don't necessarily buy it and a Toyota dealership says 30-40 should have the total fluid exchange. With the WS fluid, it's $229 there. The GM dealership where I bought it is talking a drop and drain method. What do you guys think?

[j42.snyder]

Unless you're running the tranny unusually hot (mountain driving or towing a heavy load) - 50-60K shouldn't be an issue. Even then, I think 60k miles is the recommended interval for change.If you're not running in dusty conditions - I'd doubt the filter would need attention until at least 100K. There's a drain plug - so it should be an easy drain-refill. I haven't priced out the WS fluid here yet - but I'm only at 35k km now - so I've got a ways to go before I'm concerned. I only tow my boat (around 1,000 pounds) a little in the summer - otherwise I'm pretty easy on it. I'm just glad we have a dipstick there so we can keep an eye on the condition.If GM was to do it - make sure they use the WS fluid! The manual calls for the wrong one. It should specify WS on your dipstick. I think you'll need about 5 quarts (capacity about 4.5) to do it yourself if so inclined.The only time I'd worry about doing a complete "flush" of a system is if there was some kind of catastrophic failure that contaminated everything. Normally it should not be required. Under most conditions - I'd bet that the fluid in there now would last for many years without worry. Many people NEVER do anything with the ATF and don't have problems either. It's not dealing with contaminants like engine oil - and most are engineered to be "lifetime" products now. Dealers would never admit that though - it's not good for their bottom line.John

[bdozer65]

There's a drain plug-you mean I don't have to break the pan? That's fantastic-I can do that myself easily. I do know about the WS fluid.