How to Change Transmission Fluid on a 2017-2023 GMC Canyon (Sealed 6-Speed/8-Speed) (Engine: Inline 4 2.5L)
Step-by-step drain-and-refill with required tools, fluid temp level-set procedure, and safety tips
How to Change Transmission Fluid on a 2017-2023 GMC Canyon (Sealed 6-Speed/8-Speed) (Engine: Inline 4 2.5L)
Step-by-step drain-and-refill with required tools, fluid temp level-set procedure, and safety tips for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
🔧 Canyon - Transmission Fluid Change (Drain & Level-Set)
On your Canyon, the automatic transmission uses a sealed-style fill/level-check setup, so the fluid level must be set at a specific fluid temperature with the engine running. Before I give you the exact plug locations, fluid spec, capacities, and torque specs, I need to confirm which transmission you have because the procedure and specs differ.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Work on a level surface; support with jack stands, not the jack.
- ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot; wear gloves and safety glasses.
- ⚠️ Engine will run during level-setting; keep hands/clothes clear of rotating parts.
- ⚠️ Keep the truck level front-to-rear and side-to-side during the level check.
🔧 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 (10-quart minimum)
- Fluid transfer pump (hand pump)
- Shop rags
- Infrared thermometer
- OBD2 scan tool that reads transmission fluid temperature (specialty)
- Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
- Socket set (metric)
- Hex bit socket set (metric)
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Automatic transmission fluid (correct spec for your transmission) - Qty: Varies
- Transmission drain plug seal (if equipped) - Qty: 1
- Transmission fill/level plug seal (if equipped) - Qty: 1
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
- Raise the truck and support it on four jack stands so it sits level.
- Plan to check fluid temperature with a scan tool; this is required for an accurate level set.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Confirm which transmission you have
- Use an OBD2 scan tool that reads transmission data (specialty) and look for the transmission model/strategy, or tell me whether your Canyon is a 6-speed or 8-speed.
- If you’re not sure: when driving normally, does it shift up to 6 or up to 8 gears?
- Once confirmed, I’ll give exact fluid type, plug locations, and torque.
Step 2: Tell me your goal (so I give the correct procedure)
- Reply with one: Drain & refill (typical DIY service) or Full exchange (requires more equipment).
✅ After Repair
- After the correct level-set is done, road test and verify normal shifting.
- Recheck for leaks around the drain and level/fill plugs.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $250-$550 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $70-$200 (parts only)
You Save: $180-$350 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.
🎯 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.
Guide for Automatic Transmission Fluid replace for these GMC vehicles
| Year Make Model | Sub Model | Engine | Body Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.7L | - |
| 2022 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.5L | - |
| 2022 GMC Canyon | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2022 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.8L | - |
| 2021 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.5L | - |
| 2021 GMC Canyon | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2021 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.8L | - |
| 2020 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.5L | - |
| 2020 GMC Canyon | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2020 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.8L | - |
| 2019 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.5L | - |
| 2019 GMC Canyon | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2019 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.8L | - |
| 2018 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.5L | - |
| 2018 GMC Canyon | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2018 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.8L | - |
| 2017 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.5L | - |
| 2017 GMC Canyon | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2017 GMC Canyon | - | Inline 4 2.8L | - |










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