Cap'n,

Most of the auto's being made right now (and be BMW for many years now) are filled and closed at the factory.

They will sometimes have a fill hole on top of the transmission.
However, there is a special hook shaped filling tool that is used by a tech while having a scan tool on the car monitoring trans temp (this is general, not GM specific.)

There is no way to 'check' the fluid levels like regular old automatic transmissions.

 

It's not sealed you can check the level. It is a pain in the ass to do, you can get to it from underneath and there is no dipstick.

 

Can you go into a little more detail on this?

I'll stick the car up on a rack this weekend if so.


Because they say this about our transmission. Used in the HHR, Cobalt, VUE, and tons of other things:

"The optional Hydra-Matic 4T45-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission offers reliable operation with seamless shifts. The 4T45-E uses Dexron III fluid and is "filled for life," meaning there is no scheduled maintenance required for the transmission under normal operating conditions"

Most information on this unit is using the quote "sealed for life"

 

I stand corrected I just looked mine over top to bottom and didnt see what I was looking for. I figured the 4T45 was the same as the 4T40 in the J-bodies. Those don't have a dipstick either but you can check the fluid level through a port from the bottom, on top of the trans.

 

So what do you suggest us to do about checking our Tranny fluid snsknr94. Afterall your are resident GM Tech and I respect your advise.

 

Honestly just drive it until it blows up, just hope it blows within 3 years and 36k miles.

 

HA HA. I paid for extra warranty. I'm covered untill 48K Miles

 

There has to be some way. The manual says for severe service to change it every 50,000 miles on page 6-6. It tells you what kind of fluid to use also.

 

I spent a few minutes poking around under the hood and didn't see anything. Granted I didnt put it up in the air, but the port I was looking for wasn't in the same location as the J-bods. If I get time tomorrow I'll rack it it give it a good once over.

 

Cap'n.

Sealed tranmissions are serviced by being taken out, opened, inspected, serviced, refilled, sealed back up and re-installed.

Honestly, I think you guys are getting way to worried about this.