How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid in a Chevy Corvette

You should change the automatic transmission fluid in a Chevy Corvette at least every 100,000 miles unless you drive the car under severe conditions. Examples of severe driving conditions include stop and go city traffic, hilly roads and extreme temperatures.

Things You'll Need

• Ramps or jackstands
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Socket wrench
• Solvent
• Transgel
• Torque wrench
• New transmission fluid
• Clean cloth

Instructions

Drain the Transmission Fluid and Replace the Filter

1. Support the car above the ground with ramps or jackstands. Make sure the car is level. Place a drain pan beneath the transmission. Remove the dipstick from beneath the hood and replace it with a funnel.

2. Loosen and remove the oil pan retaining bolts from the front and sides of the oil pan with a socket wrench. Loosen each of the rear retaining bolts four turns each.

3. Pull down on the front of the pan gently so that the transmission fluid may drain out. Take care not to bend the pan. When the fluid stops draining, completely remove the rear retaining bolts.

4. Remove the oil pan from the transmission and drain the rest of the fluid into the drain pan. Take the gasket off the oil pan.

5. Take the transmission filter and seal off the transmission. Inspect the fluid and the filter. If the filter contains any bronze slivers, clutch material or metal particles it's advisable that you further investigate potential problems with the transmission.

6. Clean the pan and the mating surfaces of the transmission pan and gasket surfaces with a solvent. Allow them to air dry. If there is a magnet in the transmission pan, remove it, clean it and replace it as well.

7. Coat the new filter seal with a coat of Transgel, which is the recommended product for this vehicle. Install the new seal and replace the new filter into the case. Replace the oil pan bolts. Tighten them with a torque wrench to 15 foot pounds for 1984 to 1988 Corvettes. Tighten the bolts to 97 inch pounds for 1989 vehicles and newer. Return the car to the ground.

Replace the Transmission Fluid

1. Fill the transmission to the proper level with the engine cold. Use Dexron II or its superseding type in Corvettes older than 1991. In vehicles from 1992 or newer, use Dexron IIE or III. Alternate adding a little at a time through the funnel and checking the until the fluid reaches the "Cold" mark on the dipstick.

2. Engage the parking brake on the car and turn the engine on. If the car is a 1984 to 1990 model, let it run for 15 minutes. If the car is a 1991 to 1996 model, let it run for five minutes. Apply the brake and move the transmission through the gears and back to "Park." Pause for three seconds when you reach each gear. If the vehicle is a 1992 to 1996 model, allow it to idle for 3 more minutes.

3. Remove the dipstick and carefully check the temperature of the fluid. Wipe it with a clean cloth and reinsert it into the filler tube for three seconds. Remove the dipstick again and read the fluid level.

4. Know that if the fluid is cold, the level should be about 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch below the "Add/Cold" mark. If the fluid is warm, the level should be right around the "Add" mark. Finally, if the fluid is hot, the level should be at the "Full/Hot" mark.

5. Use the funnel to add more transmission fluid if it's low. When filling the transmission, always remember to check the fluid level often, as overfilling can cause serious damage. When the level is right, replace the dipstick and turn off the engine.

Tips & Warnings

• To check the fluid level, remember to remove the dipstick, wipe it with a clean cloth, reinsert it fully and then remove it to read the level.