🔧 Encore - Transmission Fluid Drain & Refill

This is a drain-and-refill service on your Encore’s automatic transmission (not a full “flush”). You’ll drain the old fluid from the transmission pan, refill with the correct GM fluid, then set the final fluid level using the transmission level/check plug at the correct temperature.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

Assumption: GM 6T40/6T45-style level-check procedure (common on Encore).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface; support the Encore on jack stands, never a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be very hot; wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Final level check is done with the engine running—keep hands/clothes away from belts and fans.
• ⚠️ Keep the vehicle level front-to-back and side-to-side or the fluid level will be wrong.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Metric socket set 8mm-15mm
• Metric combination wrench set 8mm-15mm
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extensions (3" and 6")
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive, 10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Fluid transfer pump (hand pump) (specialty)
• Long-neck funnel
• OBD2 scan tool with transmission fluid temperature data (specialty)
• Trim clip tool
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid (DEXRON-VI) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Transmission drain/fill plug seal (washer/O-ring, as equipped) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands. If you raise the rear too, keep the vehicle level.
• Find your transmission plugs before draining: most setups have a drain plug on the pan and a level/check plug on the side of the case (a small plug that will dribble fluid when the level is correct).
• Connect the OBD2 scan tool so you can watch Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) during the final level set. TFT is the fluid’s temperature inside the transmission.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a trim clip tool for plastic push-clips.
• Use a metric socket set and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove any bolts.
• Set the shield and hardware aside in a small pile. Keep clips grouped by location.

Step 2: Loosen the fill plug first

• Before draining, make sure you can refill.
• Use a metric socket set or metric combination wrench set to break the fill plug loose (do not remove it yet).
• If the fill plug won’t loosen, stop here—don’t drain a transmission you can’t refill.

Step 3: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Position the drain pan under the transmission drain plug.
• Use a metric socket set with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the drain plug.
• Let it drain until it becomes a slow drip (usually 10-20 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug with a new seal

• Clean the plug and surrounding area using shop towels and brake cleaner.
• Install the new drain/fill plug seal (if your plug uses one).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten with a torque wrench to OEM specification for your transmission. Do not overtighten aluminum threads.

Step 5: Refill with DEXRON-VI

• Remove the fill plug using a metric socket set or metric combination wrench set.
• Use a fluid transfer pump (a hand pump that pushes fluid from the bottle into the transmission) to pump in DEXRON-VI.
• Add roughly the amount you drained (typical drain-and-refill is about 4 quarts, but always refill based on level-check in later steps).
• Reinstall the fill plug finger-tight for now.

Step 6: Warm the fluid and circulate it

• Start the engine with the brake pedal held.
• With your foot on the brake, move the shifter slowly through P-R-N-D and back to P, pausing ~3 seconds in each position.
• Use the OBD2 scan tool to monitor TFT.

Step 7: Set the final fluid level at temperature (level/check plug)

• Keep the engine running, transmission in PARK, and the Encore level on the stands.
• When TFT reaches the OEM level-check temperature window (used by GM to ensure an accurate level), remove the level/check plug using a metric socket set or metric combination wrench set.
• If fluid comes out as a small steady stream and then slows to a drip, the level is typically correct.
• If no fluid comes out, use the fluid transfer pump at the fill port to add fluid until it just begins to dribble from the level/check port.
• Reinstall the level/check plug and tighten with a torque wrench to OEM specification for your transmission.
• Now tighten the fill plug with a torque wrench to OEM specification for your transmission.

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the shield using the trim clip tool and metric socket set with a 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Lower the Encore safely using the floor jack.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine running, look under the Encore for leaks around the drain plug, fill plug, and level/check plug.
• Take a short 10-15 minute test drive. Shift should feel normal (no flare, harsh engagement, or slipping).
• Recheck for leaks again after the drive.
• If you have a scan tool, check for transmission-related codes and make sure none are active.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$335 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.