My car is one of those cars where there's no access to the transmission fluid, and...?

Question

the owner's manual says the fluid is never meant to be changed. Can this be right? Why aren't all cars like this, then? It's a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire convertible with 130,000 miles.

Answer 1

Yes,that's right.It's called a "sealed transmission". There is a level plug in the front of the trans near the coolant lines.The fluid level is right when it seeps out when removed.It really isn't a bad idea and quite a few other vehicles use the same system.

Answer 2

unfortunetly, GM tried this trans for a while, but it did go away after soo many problems that occured.

Answer 3

Don't change the transmission fluid, for two reasons.

First, the owner's manual says so, as do other manufacturers'.

Second, once an automatic transmission has been operating with the same fluid for a long time, it doesn't respond well to having it changed.  Auto trannies are very complex, with lots of pumps, valves, and pressure switches.  They all need to work together, and changing the fluid can make them operate differently from how they have always worked.  It's sort of like getting a blood transfusion with the wrong blood type;  your body is not going to like it.  

I know you feel as if you want to take care of your car, but changing the fluid would be "killing it with kindness" in my opinion.  I had the transmission blow on a Toyota Camry right after I changed the fluid.

I have also heard many mechanics say to leave the fluid alone, especially after 100,000 miles.

Good luck.

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Dr Car Guy - He is asking whether or not to change the transmission fluid because the owner's manual says not to.

Answer 4

do you have the manuel up sise down? hope that helps = )

Answer 5

this magical car will need trany fluid sum time in its life span so look alittle harder and ive seen chevy automatic  trans that run and work fine on mud as with fords alittle discoloration and the trany is screwed so as far as changing the fluid in a chevy product it shoul be done almost never  

Answer 6

not sure why you are asking this. are you looking to change the fluid. if so just have a transmission flush done. there is a plug that the shop will take out on the right hand side of the transmission then fluid topped off through the red plug located on the left top side of  the transmission until it starts running out

Answer 7

There has to be access to the trans fluid somewhere. How did they fill it at the factory? All cars aren't like that because all cars don't come with disposable transmitions.