GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I know there are topics about changing the fluid, and when you probably shouldn't. But it's all kinda spread out and no clear answer for me to go by.

I'm seriously considering changing the tranny fluid on my vibe (05 base, 4 speed I believe) with 133k miles

I'd like to have the satisfaction of doing it myself, but at the same time, if this causes the trans to fail, I can't really afford it. But I want to keep it running well, and feel like this could help.

First off, I want to discuss trans fluid. I know they manual says "toyota T-IV" fluid, but I also read Mobil 3309 is pretty much the same, if not the exact same. Also read that Valvoline Max-Life ATF is a good replacement. Should I stick with T-IV? Can I use Mobil 3309 to help with cost and availability? (nearest Toyota dealership is around 30 miles away)

Second, I know there's many ways to go about this, especially if I take it to a shop. Should I do it myself? If so, do I drive around for a little bit to get all the "crud" stirred up? If I take it to a shop, which method do I make sure they use? I read there's a few ways that they can do it.


If any of you have tried this with a similar mileage, feel free to share what you did, and how it worked out for you.

I looked forward to everyone's input! Thank you guys!

EDIT: I bought this car at 131k miles, so I don't know if the fluid has ever been changed, but it seems pretty nasty, so I would guess it probably hasn't been changed.

Drain and fill with T-IV would be my vote.

Could also drop the pan to clean the magnets.

ehoff121 wrote:Drain and fill with T-IV would be my vote.

Could also drop the pan to clean the magnets.

I thought about that. My only concern would be reattaching the pan, because I don't have a torque wrench.

A reason I want to do this is because my CEL came on and gave a P0741 code. One member on here had success eliminating the code just changing his fluid.

GaryG92 wrote: I thought about that. My only concern would be reattaching the pan, because I don't have a torque wrench.

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Micrometer- ... 1248909011

About $25, if that helps. You'd also want a new gasket and optional gasket conditioner. Pretty sure it's just a screen in the FWD- not a filter like the AWD transmission.

ehoff121 wrote:Pretty sure it's just a screen in the FWD- not a filter like the AWD transmission.

It's a screen. You can definitely do the pan bolts by hand with a 1/4" drive, just alternate around as you attach it.

Since you don't know if it has been changed, I would drain and refill now, and then do another drain and refill a little bit later. That should pretty well clear up the fluid. Easy to do since the Vibe had a drain plug. I got a case of T-IV fluid from my local Toyota dealer for about $6.00 a bottle and so far I've used about 3 quarts on my son's car, but it only has about 75K or so. I'll be doing another change this year. I actually have about 15 quarts now and could sell you some, if you end up down here on your travels.

Some good info:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=44113&p=503055&hil ... ge#p503055

trb wrote:Since you don't know if it has been changed, I would drain and refill now, and then do another drain and refill a little bit later. That should pretty well clear up the fluid. Easy to do since the Vibe had a drain plug. I got a case of T-IV fluid from my local Toyota dealer for about $6.00 a bottle and so far I've used about 3 quarts on my son's car, but it only has about 75K or so. I'll be doing another change this year. I actually have about 15 quarts now and could sell you some, if you end up down here on your travels.

Some good info:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=44113&p=503055&hil ... ge#p503055

Any chance you could ship some fluid? Or would that end up costing a bit too much? I'll probably just call some GM dealerships around here and see if they have any and how much, or I'll just make a trip to the Toyota dealership.

ehoff121 wrote:

GaryG92 wrote: I thought about that. My only concern would be reattaching the pan, because I don't have a torque wrench.

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Micrometer- ... 1248909011

About $25, if that helps. You'd also want a new gasket and optional gasket conditioner. Pretty sure it's just a screen in the FWD- not a filter like the AWD transmission.

Thanks! That's not a bad price at all. What are the torque specs for the pan bolts? like 26-28 in/lbs?
Also, what is gasket conditioner?

I'll probably end up dropping the pan since it would be more thorough.

What do I clean the magnets/inside of the pan with? Brake cleaner? MAF sensor cleaner?

GaryG92 wrote:I'd like to have the satisfaction of doing it myself, but at the same time, if this causes the trans to fail, I can't really afford it.

This is a myth, that changing really old fluid causes failure.
Brought on by people waiting to change the fluid until the trans is on its last legs, when it will fail soon anyway.
I would drain and refill, drive for a week and change again with a pan drop.
Just wipe the crud off the magnet with a rag.

Don't know about shipping, but I can check. Looks like there is a regional priority mail that I can send cheaper since it is within Texas, maybe $6-8 shipping for 6 bottles. I'll weigh some bottles and see if I can find their special box. I know I won't use 15 quarts anytime soon, but I exchanged some of the new model WS fluid for T-IV when my 2010 was totaled.

I can say the GM dealer will likely charge you a LOT more than a Toyota dealer or parts store for the same thing. I want to say double or so.

The 2nd gen model was around 70 INCH pounds of torque
I've found that the trans pan is a bit more temperamental on getting exact torque, probably because it is just a gasket.
a wide range torque wrench is a good investment

type IV trans fluid and compatible is readily available in any store



[usps regional priority i believe has to use their special boxes which would limit the # of bottles to probably 4]

trb wrote:Don't know about shipping, but I can check. Looks like there is a regional priority mail that I can send cheaper since it is within Texas, maybe $6-8 shipping for 6 bottles. I'll weigh some bottles and see if I can find their special box. I know I won't use 15 quarts anytime soon, but I exchanged some of the new model WS fluid for T-IV when my 2010 was totaled.

I can say the GM dealer will likely charge you a LOT more than a Toyota dealer or parts store for the same thing. I want to say double or so.

Decided I'd make some time and go to the Toyota dealer on my way to work. Picked up 5 quarts for $30. Went to autozone after work and got a drain pan, funnel, and the filter/gasket. Still need to find a torque wrench for the job.

Good deal on the fluid. I did find the regional box "B", and it will easily fit 5 quarts, maybe 6 if I push the edge of the box a bit, for under $8. Good info to know for future mailings.

Oh, and according to my Chilton's manual, the pan bolts are torqued to 48 in-lbs. The drain plug is 156 in-lbs.

The pan bolt torque spec is different for FWD and AWD- different transmissions that's why there are two numbers floating around the thread.

The FWD is 47 inch pounds.

The AWD is 70 inch pounds.

Thanks for you replies everyone. I watched a video last night and the guy have all the torque specs for the pan bolts, filter bolts, and drain plug. I'm case anyone wants a single post with those specs: (this was fwd, either 04 or 05)

Transmission pan bolts: 48 in lbs

Transmission filter bolts: 89 in lbs

Drain plug: 156 in lbs

Did the train and refill earlier today. Everything went well! Gonna wait a while, and then I'll drop the pan and do all that good stuff

Thanks everyone for your input!

I did a pan drop, changed the filter and cleaned the magnets three months ago on my '06 Vibe with 122k miles at the time. I used Type-IV fluid ($5.30/qt at local Toyota dealership). Going to do just a simple drain and fill very shortly and make the call after that if I'll drain and fill a third time. GaryG92 I bought a 1/4" torque wrench at Harbor Freight for $20 and it did the job for the tranny pan. Good luck with the project, took me a bit over an hour with no leaks afterwards.

I did a drain and fill on my '05 AWD vibe with 149K miles and so far mine is holding up. *knocks on wood furiously*.