🔧 Traverse - Transmission Fluid Drain & Refill

On your Traverse, a “transmission fluid change” is typically a drain-and-refill (not a full machine flush). You’ll drain the old fluid from the transmission pan, refill with the correct GM-spec fluid, then set the fluid level using the factory level-check plug at a specific fluid temperature.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🔥 Transmission fluid can be hot; wear gloves and safety glasses.
• 📏 The fluid level check must be done with the vehicle perfectly level, engine running, at the correct temperature range.
• ⚙️ Keep hands/tools clear of belts and fans while the engine is running during the level check.

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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 (10-quart minimum)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension set
• 15mm socket
• 11mm socket
• Torque wrench (5–60 Nm range)
• Trim clip remover
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Scan tool with Transmission Fluid Temperature PID (specialty)
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid (DEXRON HP) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Transmission drain plug seal - Qty: 1
• Transmission level-check plug seal - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks.
• Plan to raise the vehicle so it sits level on four jack stands (important for correct fluid level).
• You’ll need a way to read Transmission Fluid Temperature with a scan tool (this is the fluid temp inside the transmission).
• Tip: Do a short drive first to warm it up.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Warm the transmission to the level-check range

• Take a 10–15 minute drive, then park on a level spot.
• Connect your scan tool with Transmission Fluid Temperature PID (specialty) and monitor transmission fluid temperature.
• You’ll be doing the final level check at 35–45°C (95–113°F).

Step 2: Raise and level the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front and rear as needed.
• Set the vehicle down on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) so it is level.
• Place wheel chocks at a tire that remains on the ground while lifting.

Step 3: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a trim clip remover to remove plastic retainers.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet with the appropriate socket (commonly 15mm socket) to remove shield fasteners if bolts are used.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in order.

Step 4: Confirm you can remove the fill plug first

• Position a drain pan (10-quart minimum) underneath the transmission area.
• Use an 11mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the transmission fill plug first.
• If the fill plug won’t loosen, stop here (you don’t want to drain it and then be unable to refill).

Step 5: Drain the old transmission fluid

• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the transmission drain plug.
• Let the fluid drain completely into the drain pan.
• Clean the drain plug and install a new drain plug seal.
• Reinstall the drain plug and Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Refill with the correct fluid

• Insert the hose from the fluid transfer pump (specialty) into the fill port (a fluid transfer pump is a hand pump that pushes fluid up into the transmission).
• Pump in DEXRON HP until fluid begins to approach the fill opening (it may not pour out yet—final level is set at the level-check plug).
• Reinstall the fill plug and Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Set the fluid level (engine running, correct temperature)

• With the vehicle still level on jack stands, start the engine.
• Hold the brake and slowly move the shifter through P-R-N-D, pausing 3 seconds in each, then return to P.
• Watch transmission fluid temperature on the scan tool and keep it at 35–45°C (95–113°F).
• Place the drain pan under the transmission level-check plug.
• Use an 11mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the level-check plug.
• Correct level behavior:
  • If a thin stream/drip comes out and then slows to a drip, the level is correct.
  • If nothing comes out, reinstall the level plug, shut engine off, remove the fill plug, add more fluid with the fluid transfer pump, then repeat this step.
  • If a heavy stream pours out, let it drain until it becomes a drip.
• Install a new level-check plug seal, reinstall the plug, and Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Temperature is everything for level accuracy.

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the splash shield using the trim clip remover (as needed) and a 3/8" drive ratchet with the original fasteners.
• Lower the vehicle carefully using the floor jack.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine running, check underneath for leaks around the drain plug, fill plug, and level-check plug.
• Take a 10-minute test drive and verify normal shifting.
• Recheck for leaks after the drive and again the next day.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $55-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$395 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?

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