From the 2009 manual-all others say the same:

 

Interesting db/sb. Since the OP has a 2011, I took a look in the 2011 owners manual. It does not contain that last sentence you have circled.

This may be part of the confusion. Different years owners manuals containing different types of maintenance info.

This is from the 2011 owners manual under 50k mile schedule:
. Automatic transmission fluid change (severe
service only) for vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing a trailer, or used
for taxi, police, or delivery service. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6‑23.

 

Yes I did notice that the entire maintenance footnotes section that is present in the 2006-2009 manuals is missing from the 2010-2011 manuals. But there is no change in the transmission from 2009 to 2010 that I am aware of the would change the maintenance schedule. It still says that the recommendation is for severe service only.

 

I AssUme they just saved some ink, since it really is not needed. They say when, so no need to say when not.

Except for us Internet debate society members, that is. I bet they set those things up then sit back an watch.

 

The transmission fluid and filter DOES need to be changed. This is the best description I have seen on here https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/main...ge-easy-42736/ on how to do it. Pretty much all late model FWD Chevys are the same. My former 2001 Malibu was exactly the same. The key to doing it right is getting the car far enough off the ground to have room to work under it, and KEEP IT LEVEL. I lucked out. I have a fairly steep driveway. I just backed the car into it, with the front end pointing down. I set the parking brake and chocked the rear wheels. Then I jacked up the front until the car was level. As steep as my driveway is, by the time I got it level, there was plenty of room to work on it.

AutoZone sells a filter and gasket kit for it. They also sell a replacement pan with a drain, which I got. Home Depot sells a huge plastic concrete mixing tub, Model # 887102C, for about $12 that is way more than big enough.

I change my fluid without the filter every 25,000 miles, and change the filter about every 75,000 miles. I've never found anything in a filter, so it shouldn't need to be changed often. That avoids you having to drop the pan. Since you can only get part of the fluid out this way, I change it often, and keep mixing new fluid with the old fluid that is left in there. That should keep it fresh, and it's really easy to do. The fluid is really cheap at Walmart. I get it in one gallon jugs.

One thing I do NOT recommend doing is having the transmission "flushed" this will damage the transmission. I have seen several transmissions that were flushed fail a few thousand miles later.

I also change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, and recommend changing the dexcool every 2 years. Good old green coolant will last longer than that, but dexcool turns into this brown waxy glue, and plugs everything up if not changed often. I have seen a lot of radiators ruined by it, and in a couple of severe cases, the coolant passages in the block were plugged up.

I am a fleet service mechanic. Proper maintenance is the key to a long lasting car. Maybe I can make my HHR last one million miles.

 

 

I can't afford $65 every 2 months just for the DEX vi. I'll just read my Owners Manual.

 

He said 2 years but I concur. I'll go with the recommendations of the company that built the vehicle.

 

In fairness and support of "Jackson".....

Arizona has some very brutal temperatures to contend and joined by the possibility of excessive stop and go traffic.......his transmission maintenance is probably warranted.

I do change mine more than the manufacturers recommendation also.

I do NOT agree with his statements regarding the Dexcool however, as long as the cooling system is properly maintained. I stick with the Owners Manual schedule on that. Never experienced a problem with any of 7 vehicles, some with very high mileage. But there is always a first time.


Oh, and forgot........all have been flushed at least 2 times.

 

I was talking about the 25,000 miles, 4 months for me, not really 2 months.

And the DexCool statements are counter to my experience.