PDA

View Full Version : Dealer Tranny Flush & Fill...


04SilverVue
09-30-2008, 03:06 PM
OK I have a 2004 Vue 3.5L V6 with 75K on it. As has been beaten to death by just about everyone I wanted to get a Flush and Fill with the GM/Saturn ATF-Z1. So I went to my local dealer, Saturn of Hurst, even though I usually do maintenance myself. I figured I need to get my A/C fixed while I still had warranty so... Everything looked great. As soon I arrived I popped the hood to make sure the tranny fluid "looked" new (I am always paranoid about people screwing me.). I then went home. At home I started looking over the invoice and noticed that under the Transmission Flush & Fill that it said Dexron I N. At first I thought maybe this was GM's coding for there ATF-Z1. So the today I call up the dealer and get one of the Reps. He pulled up my invoice in the computer and said if the computer said Dexron then they put Dexron III. I told him that the Honda Tranny in the 04 Vue should have ATF-Z1 and the Dexron will mess up the tranny. He then said he would have his Manager call me.
So about an hour later I get a call from the Manager who says that he checked into this and that anytime they put a Trans Flush & Fill it adds the Dexron wording at the botton. They were working on getting that changed in the system. But rest assured they put the Honda ATF-Z1 in my Vue. He then went into how he was a Honda tech for over 15 years and he knows what Dexron would do to my tranny. Blah Blah Blah....
In the end I have to take there word on it. I have no real way of knowing what they really put in my tranny do I? Should I just go buy the ATF-Z1 from honda and have NTB do the flush again? God I hate dealers!

original007
09-30-2008, 08:48 PM
They have packages set up on the computer that sort of generalizes the services from a labor stand point. It really is up to the tech and parts guy to makes sure they have the correct fluid which I'm sure they do. Its one of those things you make sure of, they do not want to buy you a new trans. Just a vote of confidence from your hated dealer tech. By the way I'm sure NTB knows way more about your Saturn then the guy who works only on that brand.

04SilverVue
10-01-2008, 09:26 AM
You are definitely right about the dealer knowing more but I can watch the guy at NTB. They will let me stand next to the car and watch everything he does so I know he did the correct job. But I just hate not knowing. My extended warranty ends in 2K miles so I don't want to come out of pocket for a new tranny because the dealer put the wrong fluid in.

Gerry Proctor
10-01-2008, 10:13 AM
...I don't want to come out of pocket for a new tranny because the dealer put the wrong fluid in.

Then don't throw away the receipt. If you do have trans problems, it will show up pretty quick. The receipt is your protection in that instance (that and a snifter of the fluid they put in for lab analysis should it come to that).

newbievueowner
10-01-2008, 10:17 AM
I would say cross reference the fluid part number they used for the flush and fill with another dealer and see what it comes up with in the computer. If the # on the oil bottle is listed as Dexron III in the computer then it's likely Dexron III and not Z1. I hate stealerships!

Dante
10-03-2008, 02:29 AM
I would say cross reference the fluid part number they used for the flush and fill with another dealer and see what it comes up with in the computer. If the # on the oil bottle is listed as Dexron III in the computer then it's likely Dexron III and not Z1. I hate stealerships!

Very good idea... Just call up the parts dept @ Saturn of Hurst and ask for "part # ...." and then ask the guy what comes up for that part... If it comes up Dexron, then you've probably got a case, pardon the pun.

I'm always leery of anyone touching my cars too. My wife had the maint. plan on her SL2 and I always verified that 1) the oil cap was on, 2) the filter was on, and 3) the oil looked clean when I picked up the car. :eek:

Ritz
10-05-2008, 08:36 AM
Could be that the manager was being straight with you about "the system" just not showing the correct fluid in the service description. Could also be that they screwed up. This is why I just don't let the dealer touch my car unless there is some non-trivial warranty issue to deal with. If I do the service, at least I KNOW it was done correctly and with the fluids/parts that I want.

Cheers,