Automatic transmission fluid exchange

I am trying to find out how much fluid it takes when a dealership does a fluid exchange. I had took my truck in and they used 8 quarts. I got to looking in the manual and it says it holds 11.5 and there is no way to check the fluid level.

 

How much did they charge for it?

 

It's simple math. The system holds about 11.5 qts. You paid for 8. They did not replace all of your transmissions fluid.

OR

Did they confuse the capacity of your transmission with another?

 

They just drained the pan, not the cooler and lines, assuming you have factory tow package. They did a drain / fill, not a flush / fill.

 

That could be, but why a charge for 8 qts? A simple pan drain/refill takes between 3 and 4 qts - depending on whether or not the pan and filter are also dropped and/or the trucks front-end is also elevated. The elevation likely did not occur as this was done at a dealership(on a lift) and not in someones driveway.

If the OP paid for a "pan drain" - the dealer needs to explain 8 qts. vs. 3-4 qts.

If he paid for a full flush - the dealer needs to explain the shortage.

 

Agreed, OP needs to contact service department for full explanation.

 

Question for the OP....

Is your engine 4 cylinders or 6 cylinders?

 

Take a look at the pan and see if there are indications that the fluid has actually been touched. There should be a clean spot around the drain plug where it was wiped prior to draining and post drain, and there should be tool marks on the drain plug indicating it was removed.

Then get an explanation of what they actually did.

Even if they did it 'right' and it's driving fine, start shopping for a quality independent mechanic that you can use for these basic services with confidence. Yes, there are nut cases in the independent world as well, but that's why I say 'shop'. When you get the right one it's like having a great Dr................ you hope he doesn't retire before you no longer need his services.

 

He says no dipstick. Doesn't that mean 6? Thought all 4's still had that 'feature'? (my '13 does, yahoo!)

 

And his comment about 11.5 points to a 6 cyl. engine.

So as I stated above - the shop did a pan drain that does not require 8 qts. or they did an incomplete flush.

 

Oh, I agree with that.....

 

They charged me 200 to do the service. I watched the guy hook the machine up to the lines next to the radiator to cycle it out. I'm just wondering because I can't check it. I feel like it might be low because when it is cold I hear a sound coming from up under the center console at idle. It didn't do this until after I I had it serviced.

 

It's simple - you need to take it back and ask about 8 qts. vs the 11.5 mentioned in service manuals. I would ask to speak with the service mgr.

 

Ok I will go in the next couple of days. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

Well with out you checking the level nobody will be able to tell

 

I just got the transmission serviced and it was 2.5 quarts low. I took it to a local shop instead of going to the dealership.

 

Well that explains the 8 qts. on the dealership repair order.

8 + 2.5 = 10.5 - still a qt. low, but who knows what really happened at the dealership.

I would email the GM/service mgr. and let them know you had to use an indy shop to fix their oversight.