🔧 Traverse - Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

This procedure replaces the automatic transmission fluid in your Traverse’s 9-speed automatic transmission. The transmission does not use a traditional dipstick, so the fluid level is set through a level-check plug with the transmission at the correct temperature.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle at first, but final fluid level must be checked with the transmission warm.
• ⚠️ Keep the Traverse level during draining and filling. An unlevel vehicle can cause the fluid level to be wrong.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands, not just a floor jack. Jack stands are metal supports that hold the vehicle safely after lifting.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot enough to burn skin. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Do not overfill. Too much fluid can cause shifting problems and transmission damage.
• ⚠️ 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 (10-quart minimum)
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• 10mm socket
• 11mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Long funnel
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Infrared thermometer (specialty)
• OBD scan tool with transmission temperature data (specialty)
• Shop towels
• Brake cleaner aerosol

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid meeting GM DEXRON-VI specification - Qty: 5-6 quarts for drain-and-fill
• Transmission drain plug seal - Qty: 1
• Transmission level-check plug seal - Qty: 1
• Transmission fill cap seal - Qty: 1 if damaged

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park your Traverse on a flat, level surface.
• 📋 Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 📋 The transmission fluid level must be checked with fluid temperature in the proper range, about 95-113°F (35-45°C).
• 📋 Use an OBD scan tool to read transmission fluid temperature. This is the most accurate method.
• 📋 If your scan tool cannot read transmission temperature, use an infrared thermometer on the transmission pan as a backup, but this is less accurate.
• 📋 This is a drain-and-fill service. It does not replace all fluid inside the torque converter and cooler lines.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Traverse

• Use wheel chocks to block the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the Traverse at the front subframe lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved front support points.
• Use the floor jack to lift the rear if needed, then place jack stands so the Traverse sits level.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before going underneath.
• Level vehicle equals correct fluid level.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Shield if Equipped

• Use a 10mm socket or 13mm socket to remove the lower splash shield fasteners, depending on the fasteners installed.
• Lower the shield and set it aside.
• Keep the bolts grouped together so they go back in the same places.

Step 3: Locate the Transmission Drain, Fill, and Level Plugs

• Use a shop light if needed and locate the transmission case on the driver-side area of the engine bay and underbody.
• The fill cap is accessed from above on the transmission case.
• The drain plug is at the lower transmission case area.
• The level-check plug is on the side of the transmission case. The level-check plug is the plug used to let extra fluid drain out when the transmission is correctly filled.
• Before draining, confirm you can access the fill cap. Never drain fluid before confirming you can refill it.

Step 4: Remove the Fill Cap First

• Open the hood and locate the transmission fill cap on top of the transmission.
• Use shop towels to clean around the fill cap before removing it.
• Remove the fill cap by hand. If it is tight, use gentle hand pressure only.
• Set the fill cap in a clean place.

Step 5: Drain the Old Transmission Fluid

• Place a 10-quart drain pan under the transmission drain plug.
• Use the correct socket for the installed drain plug, commonly an 11mm or 13mm socket, and loosen the drain plug slowly.
• Remove the drain plug by hand once loose.
• Let the fluid drain until it becomes a slow drip.
• Inspect the fluid. Dark fluid can be normal with age, but heavy metal flakes or a burnt smell may indicate internal wear.
• Replace the drain plug seal.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Clean the drain plug with brake cleaner aerosol and dry it with a shop towel.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading means the plug starts crooked and damages the threads.
• Use a torque wrench with the correct socket to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 12 Nm (106 in-lbs).
• Do not overtighten the plug.

Step 7: Add New Transmission Fluid

• Place a long funnel into the transmission fill opening.
• Add about the same amount of fluid that drained out, usually around 4-5 quarts during a drain-and-fill.
• Use only automatic transmission fluid meeting GM DEXRON-VI specification.
• Install the fill cap loosely for now.
• Add slowly to prevent spills.

Step 8: Warm the Transmission Fluid

• Connect the OBD scan tool to the diagnostic port under the driver-side dash.
• Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake pedal.
• Move the shifter slowly through Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, then back to Park.
• Pause 3 seconds in each gear position.
• Leave the engine idling in Park.
• Watch transmission fluid temperature on the OBD scan tool.
• Continue when the fluid temperature reaches about 95-113°F (35-45°C).

Step 9: Set the Final Fluid Level

• Keep the engine idling and the Traverse level.
• Place the drain pan under the level-check plug.
• Use the correct socket, commonly an 11mm or 13mm socket, to remove the level-check plug.
• If fluid runs out in a steady stream, wait until it slows to a thin trickle.
• If no fluid comes out, use a long funnel or fluid transfer pump to add fluid through the fill opening in small amounts until fluid begins to trickle from the level-check hole.
• When the fluid is a thin trickle from the level-check hole, the level is correct.
• Install a new level-check plug seal.
• Use a torque wrench with the correct socket to tighten the level-check plug to Torque to 12 Nm (106 in-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the Fill Cap and Clean Up

• Shut the engine off.
• Remove the long funnel or fluid transfer pump from the fill opening.
• Inspect the fill cap seal and replace it if damaged.
• Install the fill cap by hand until fully seated.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels to clean any spilled fluid from the transmission case.

Step 11: Reinstall the Lower Shield

• Lift the lower splash shield into position by hand.
• Start all fasteners by hand first.
• Use a 10mm socket or 13mm socket to tighten the shield fasteners snugly.
• If using a torque wrench, tighten small splash shield fasteners to Torque to 7 Nm (62 in-lbs).

Step 12: Lower the Traverse

• Use the floor jack to lift the Traverse slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle slowly with the floor jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and check underneath for leaks.
• ✅ Take a gentle 10-15 minute test drive.
• ✅ Confirm smooth engagement from Park to Reverse and Park to Drive.
• ✅ Recheck for leaks after the test drive.
• ✅ Dispose of used transmission fluid properly at a recycling center or parts store that accepts used fluids.
• ✅ No battery registration, coding, or infotainment reset is required.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $165-$270 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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