GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the dealership service department and have it repaired as soon as possible. You may also have your fluid level checked by your dealer or service center when you have your oil changed.

Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:

    • In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
    • In hilly or mountainous terrain.
    • When doing frequent trailer towing.
    • Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.

If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.

Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON® -III, because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON® -III is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

How to Reset the Change Transmission Fluid Message and the Transmission Fluid Indicator

After the transmission fluid has been changed, the Change Trans Fluid message and the transmission fluid life indicator must be reset. To reset the message and indicator, use one of the following procedures:

Base Audio System

Press the CLR button located to the right of the DIC display to acknowledge the CHANGE TRANS FLUID message. This will clear the message from the display and reset it.

To reset the transmission fluid life indicator, use the following steps:

  1. Press the up or down arrow on the INFO button located to the right of the DIC display to access the DIC menu.
  2. Once the XXX% TRANS FLUID LIFE menu item is highlighted, press and hold the CLR button.
  3. The percentage will return to 100, and the transmission fluid life indicator will be reset.

  4. Repeat the steps if the percentage does not return to 100.

Navigation System

To reset the transmission fluid life indicator, use the following steps:

  1. Turn the vehicle on with the ignition in RUN.
  2. Turn the Navigation system on by pressing the PWR/VOL knob.
  3. Press and hold the vehicle information button in the upper right corner of the screen for three seconds. This will bring up the Vehicle Information menu.
  4. Use the up and down arrows to scroll through the items until you get to Transmission Fluid Life.
  5. Press and hold the RESET button on the screen until the Transmission Fluid Life is reset to 100 percent.
  6. Repeat this procedure if the Transmission Fluid Life does not reset.

  7. Press the RETURN button on the screen to return to the main screen.