How do I check transmission fluid

Tiny
MESERVEJUSTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SATURN VUE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
How do I check transmission fluid and if its low how do I fill it. There is no dipstick. Also my saturn might be a 2.2 if that matters. Please tell me how rto check and add T- Fluid to my saturn
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Saturday, November 7th, 2015 AT 11:57 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Hello

The fluid level plug is on the side of the transmission which is checked much like a stick shift, with the engine running fill until it comes out here is the plug location in the diagrams below.

Fluid Types

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID

ATF Z1 Automatic Transmission Fluid (Saturn Part No. 22717466).

Capacities
4T45-E Automatic Transaxle

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4T45-E

Bottom Pan Removal. 6.5 liters (6.9 qts)

Complete Overhaul. 9.0 Liters (9.5 qts)

Dry. 12.2 Liters (12.9 qts)

Measurements are approximate

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Saturday, November 7th, 2015 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
ELIZABETHGUIDRY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 SATURN VUE
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 145,400 MILES
The car is shifting, missing slightly on occasion, and recently slipped enough that when pressing on the gas no forward motion happened. The car does go into each gear. Does reverse.
I am wanting to check the fluid level but through visual on motor I am unable to locate dipstick and I am reading numerous reports that contradict each other about if there even is a dipstick to check the level.

Can you advise how to check the fluid level?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
You noted that you are trying to check your transmission fluid, but you also say that you have a manual transmission. If your Vue is a manual, then you do not have transmission fluid. You have gear oil, and a lack of it is most likely not your issue. Your issue would be a worn out clutch pressure plate, which is normal given the vehicle mileage.

If your Vue is an automatic, then there is no dipstick to check the fluid level. Instead, there is a bolt on the side of the transmission that you have to take off to check the level. Basically, you put the car on a lift, take the bolt off, and stick your finger in there. If you get fluid on your finger, then no more fluid is needed. If not, then pump some fluid into said hole until it leaks out. See the images below for more in depth explanation.

If your Vue is a manual transmission, please let me know and I will get you pertinent information concerning it. Thanks!
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2carpros.com. I agreed with the above statement however, you could have the 5 speed unit. If you do then you will have a dipstick. Take a look at this video that will help with checking fluid this way.

https://youtu.be/D7bgOjIRMMw

Then please see the info below from the manual on how to check the fluid on this unit.

I hope this helps

Take care,
Joe

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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNISGWAGNER
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
  • 2005 SATURN VUE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
I was changing out the radiator on my 2005 saturn vue 3.5 v-6 and lost some transmission fluid what kind of fluid and I think there is a fill hole on the top of the transmission, will it have a dip stick there also thank you
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
On the driver side of the vehicle, on the top of the transmission, there's a plastic yellow thing with a picture of a gear with liquid in it (indicating transmission fluid), that's your transmission dipstick. The only other yellow plastic piece that you can see is your oil dipstick. The tranny dipstick is bolted down with a 12 mm bolt that you'll have to remove. After removal of the bolt, just pull the dipstick straight out to check fluid level. The dipstick may be a bit harder to pull out than you imagine, but as long as you took that bolt off, it'll come out.
The transmission that's in your Saturn was not intended to be checked by the owner. The theory is that you'll check your fluid when it's not up to temp, think its low, and add more, overfilling your transmission. However, I think most owners would prefer having a more easily accessible dipstick. Even if it's only to check the color of your tranny fluid. You should also make sure that the fluid doesn't have a burnt odor.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNISGWAGNER
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I found a plug on the top of the transmission with atf on the plug but I still can not find a dipstick I know the transmission is low. So I just dont want to add some. This is not a all wheel drive just front wheel drive thanks dennis
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNISGWAGNER
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  • 17 POSTS
How do I know what kind of transmission is in my 2005 saturn vue with 3.5 thanks
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Just to add to this one I posted the location of the fill hole and the dipstick. It uses atf-z1 fluid.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GINAMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 SATURN VUE
Transmission problem
2005 Saturn Vue 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

How many quarts of oil does the transmission hold?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
What transmission? Vt25-e 8.53 quarts
5-AT AWD 8.6 FWD 9.1
4t40-e 9.5 quarts
getrag 5-speed 1.8 quarts
all these spec's are after a complete overhaul.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLAS RICARDO PEñA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
How drain the automatic transmission fluid CVT onthe car listed above?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Draining it is easy, refilling it is the problem.

First you need the correct CVT fluid and the CVT additive. These are not common fluids or universal types, generally they are dealer only items.
Fluid = Saturn DEX-CVT P/N 22688912 Additive = Saturn DEX-CVT P/N 22697447
And a new lower tube drain plug

Next you need a scan tool that can read the transmission temperature. That is because it gets filled by temperature.

The drain is located on the trans near the axle. But it is two parts, there is a plug in the middle and a tube that the plug screws into. You remove the plug first. Then remove the tube. That lets the fluid drain out. Now to refill you replace the long tube first, torque it to 20 Nm (15 ft lb). Now install the smaller drain plug finger tight.

With the vehicle flat and level, add 6 quarts of DEX-CVT fluid.

Now start the engine and hold the brake. Shift the trans into reverse for ten seconds, then into drive for another ten seconds. Now back into park. Leave the engine running. That circulates the trans fluid around the system.
Next go under the vehicle (keep it level, if you are using a jack you need to jack both ends, if ramps use them on both ends, or use a lift) and remove the small drain plug. If fluid runs out in a steady stream, let it run until it stops. If no fluid runs out, add fluid until it starts to run out.
Once the fluid stops you install the new lower tube drain plug and tighten it to 11 Nm ( 97 Inch lb)

Now you connect up the scan tool and look at the transmission fluid temperature and add fluid following this table -

If the transmission fluid temperature is 20°C (68°F) or less, add 0.47 liter (0.5 qt) of fluid to the transmission.
If the transmission fluid temperature is 40°C (104°F), add 0.71 liter (0.75 qt) of fluid to the transmission.
If the transmission fluid temperature is 60°C (140°F), add 0.95 liter (1.0 qt) of fluid to the transmission.
If the transmission fluid temperature is 80°C (176°F), add 1.2 liter (1.25 qt) of fluid to the transmission.

Now you can shut off the engine. Finally inject the entire contents of the DEX-CVT P/N 22697447 additive into the transmission.

Now after all of that there is a lower tech way that should work just as well. With a cold engine jack up the vehicle. Remove the drain parts. Drain the fluid into a container. Now measure the amount of fluid using something like a measuring cup. Get as accurate as possible, no guessing as fluid level in these is somewhat critical.
So lets say you drain it and get 7.5 liters of fluid out. Install the tube and the new drain plug. Now pour in the first six liters of fluid. Inject the additive, start the engine and shift it as above. Now pour in the remaining 1.5 liters. If you had removed 7.5 liters, and you replaced it with 7.5 liters the trans fluid should be at the correct level.

I would prefer using the scan tool but I cannot see a reason why the other method would not work just as well.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PASKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,000 MILES
Bought it in october 2008 - didn't know about the transmission problem until this week. Now, I took my VUE to the dealer - transmission slipping and such. They asked if I had the transmission oil change done: I did, back in october 2009. Now, they claim that the guy didn't put enough transmission oil (4L) because you can add up to 3L more and that's why I now have problem. My question: If it really was not enough, wouldn't the problem show up prior to 9 months or during winter cold or very warm days like we had here in march (over 30C) and during traffic jams? I mean, to me, 9 months and no error code still showing up?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If you were 3 liter's low on fluid I would think something would show up a lot sooner then 9 month's. If it's not under warranty I don't see a reason why the dealer would say it was low when it wasn't. It does take a out of the ordinary way to set the correct fluid level on them though.I can tell you this though those transmission's on the 4cyl vue's are a piece of junk.I remember the first time I saw one when I went to vue training and even then I didn't like there design.I have repaired so many of those transmission's like major repair's 8 out of 10 repair's the transmission had to come out and be torn down. One vue come's to mind in 50,000 mile's the transmission was repaired twice and replaced once in the same vue.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PASKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
''If it's not under warranty I don't see a reason why the dealer would say it was low when it wasn't.''

That's the point, still on the extended warranty ( 8 years 160 000 km).
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If that's the case then I would get a work order from Saturn stating that the fluid was low and caused the transmission to fail. Then bring the work order to the shop where you had the transmission service done and see if they will take care of the cost of the transmission. If they won't then you will probably have to take them to court.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PASKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks a lot for the advice but I will surely not get rid of the only mecanic in here I do trust! Point is that gm sold me that truck knowing there was a potential problem with the tranny and never mentionned anything, now I'm sure they are just willing to get rid of me so any reason, for them, is good. From what I've read on the net, only saturn mecanics can remove the entire 7L, others only 4L. Therefore the remaining 3 would still have been in.

You know, a lady buyin' a car by herself and dealing with 3 mecanics from GM. I hate being taken for a fool.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)

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