VUE 3.5L Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

[mike10]

Is there a filter or anything to change or clean on the Transmission?

[sthoms]

The GM dealer says there is a "cartridge" with an o-ring seal for the transmission filter. Can anyone confirm this? I had him order it just in case he is right. I have it drained and 5 quarts of Z1 ready... :-)

[Cyber0Guy]

I have not had a problem with my saturn and i have the tranny fluid changed every 100K. It is never burn or change in color. I do not have a tow either. The first 100K was in california and ariziona. the second has been in michigan.

Had the chevy dealership do both fluid changes.

The owners manual stated repacement every 25K if you have a towing package and if you tow the vehicle with a tow bar not a dolly.

I have looked all over the tranny for a dipstick to find none. All i found was the fill plug on the top and the drain plug below.

This is the most dependable vehicle i have ever owned.

[ebenditt]

I found a great resource online at justanswer that has pics for the AT tranny (justanswer.com/saturn/2o655-know-change-add-transmission-fluid.html)

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by mike10

Is there a filter or anything to change or clean on the Transmission?

There are 2 Filters inside the Honda 5AT - both require significant tranny disassembly to replace. The only maint you can do is a 'drain and fill' every 25k mi.

Originally Posted by Cyber0Guy

I have looked all over the tranny for a dipstick to find none.

The Tranny Dip Stick is down low, next to the Lower Rad Hose . . .
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/att...2&d=1362849715

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by ebenditt

I found a great resource online at justanswer that has pics for the AT tranny (justanswer.com/saturn/2o655-know-change-add-transmission-fluid.html)

This link . . .
http://www.justanswer.com/saturn/2o6...ion-fluid.html

. . . is for the 2002-03 Aisin and VTi tranny - not the 2004-07 Honda 5AT.

[bigbird90650]

Hi. I have a 2006 Vue 3.5 L with the MJ7 Honda 5AT tranny. I'm going to the Honda Dealer to get some tranny fluid. I'm guessing that they are going to draw a blank when I tell them that I need tranny fluid for an 06 vue. Does anyone have a part # or pic of the Honda brand tranny fluid that I need? Thanks alot.

[bigbird90650]

Originally Posted by bigbird90650

Hi. I have a 2006 Vue 3.5 L with the MJ7 Honda 5AT tranny. I'm going to the Honda Dealer to get some tranny fluid. I'm guessing that they are going to draw a blank when I tell them that I need tranny fluid for an 06 vue. Does anyone have a part # or pic of the Honda brand tranny fluid that I need? Thanks alot.

I just ordered this fluid on Amazon. Is this the right one? Thanks

GM part # 22717466

]

[cookie1400]

I warmed up my 2004 3.5L Vue jacked it up and got 6 quarts out.... and it's still trickling out. Honda does not recommend using a flush machine. They recommend the 3X drain and fill method. And its much easier to fill through the actual "fill plug".But this is just my opinion.

[cookie1400]

Originally Posted by bigbird90650

I just ordered this fluid on Amazon. Is this the right one? Thanks

GM part # 22717466

]

I wouldn't use that Honda transmissions are very sensitive. Just order the real stuff from amazon. PM me if you want the section fromthe service manual.

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by bigbird90650

Is this the right one?

That is the original ATF specified for the Honda 5AT. However, Honda no longer sells Z-1 which was superseded by Honda DW-1.

[College Student]

I have an 03 Saturn Vue, and my mom helped me put trans fluid to top up. She used Oreilly ATF +4 Full Synthetic about a quart. I’m now having transmission issues. Does anyone know if this fluid is ok for it? We had been driving 2hrs interstate and got off. After stopping, the engine would just rev up and we wouldn’t really go anywhere.

[fdryer]

CS, which engine? The 3.0L V6 engine and xmission are't prone to problems. The 2.2L 4cyl engine with the VT25-E/cvt xmission is prone to xmission failure. You can search threads about cvt failures in the brief Saturn run of Vues using a poorly made one that has failed in virtually all Vues using the cvt.

[pmdracer]

Originally Posted by David Harleyson

Here is the quick and dirty on how to change the transmission fluid yourself.

You will need:
A pan capable of catching and holding AT LEAST 5 QUARTS of fluid. The one I used is a 15 quart, round drain pan.
A 3/8 drive ratchet or breaker bar with a short extension.
A 10-12 inch piece of 3/8 fuel or oil line.
A small funnell with a 3/8 tip opening.
Several old rags.
At least 5 quarts of new trans fluid.

A word about transmission fluid.
Trans fluid is the life blood of your transmission. A quality trans fluid is more important to your trans than a quality oil is to your engine. As heat in the trans goes up, the life of the fluid (and your trans) goes down. Sadly most people ignore the transmission until it breaks and then swear XX car company makes cheap transmissions. The Honda transmission REQUIRES a Z1specification fluid. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT BRAND YOU BUY AS LONG AS IT CARRIES THE Z1 RATING. ASSUME NOTHING, TURN THE BOTTLE OVER AND READ. As of this writing Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF DOES NOT meet the Z1 spec. I am personally a cheerleader for synthetics in general, so I used Amsoil ATF. Use anything you like, as long as it has the Z1 rating.

The procedure:
Park the Vue on level ground, put it in park, and set the parking brake. Make sure the engine is at FULL operating temp. This will make the refill process more accurate and quicker. Turn the wheels all the way to the left, and turn off the engine.
Jack up the front end of the Vue 5-6 inches. It is not necessary to put it on ramps or jackstands for this job. Keeping the Vue as level as possible will help you get as much fluid as possible out of the trans.
Looking under the Vue from the front, the transmission is the large cast aluminum part closest to the drivers side tire. Running from front to back along the trans is a row of cad plated (gold tone) hex bolts. They all look alike, except for one...it is slightly bigger and has a 3/8 square drive head instead of a hex. This is the drain plug. Put the drain pan as close as practical to the drain plug while still allowing yourself enough room to use the ratchet and extension to loosen the plug. Once the plug is loose, it will come out with just your fingers. Work SLOWLY, and keep the drain pan close to your work. The fluid comes out FAST. MUCH faster than draining engine oil. Wipe up what you spilled and let the trans drain for several minutes. The drain plug has a magnet on the end. Wipe it off with a rag. These metal particles should be VERY tiny, almost like metal powder, and be a silver gray color. The draining fluid should be dark red, with only the slightest tinge of brown. It should NOT smell burned.
While the trans is draining remove the dipstick. It is low on the front drivers side of the engine bay, almost directly under the radiator hose. You will see a loop of wire with a piece of rubber on it. Pull it straight up and out of the fill tube. Notice I said fill tube. Here's a trick. The tube is slightly larger than the 3/8 fuel line. Dab a little trans fluid on the end of the 12 inch piece of hose and carefully but firmly push it over the end of the tube. Push the funnell in the other end and you have the perfect "fill tube extension".
Replace the drain plug and tighten snugly. Pour in the trans fluid of your choice and check the level after EACH quart of fluid. There is no way to know exactly how much fluid you drained with this method. THIS PROCEDURE DRAINED 4.8 QUARTS OF FLUID FROM MY TRANSMISSION. YOUR DRAINAGE MAY VARY. FOLLOW THE CHECK PROCEDURE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL!! I can not be resopnsible for your decision not to follow the check procedure in the owners manual EXACTLY.

Last Thoughts:
This is a quick change procedure only. A full fluid change out is only possible with a pressure flush machine from the dealer or oil change place. I believe a pressure flush SHOULD be done every 50,000 miles or so. This is a great intermediate step.
There ARE filters in the Honda trans, they are small and built into the inside of the trans case. I do not believe that they are servicable by the do-it-yourselfer.
NEVER let anyone tell you that this is a "sealed system".
Good luck with yours!
David Harleyson

Thank you for this. Have a manual for my wife's Vue and it covers 4 different auto transmissions, but not this one.
Now, who is the a**hole that decided refilling the transmission through the dipstick tube was acceptable?
2006 Vue 3.5 FWD, 130,000 miles, this is the first fluid exchange.
Drained out right at 5 quarts, filled with Valvoline MaxLife.

[ssicarman]

Originally Posted by pmdracer

Now, who is the a**hole that decided refilling the transmission through the dipstick tube was acceptable?

You don't fill the Honda transmission through the dipstick tube. You fill it through the fill plug on the top of the transmission.
Make sure you are removing the correct plug.