1996 Chevrolet S-10 Transmission Fluid

GMC C3500
Avatar
KAYJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1996 V6 S-10, I want to change the fluid in the manual transmission. Problem is no one will give me a straight up answer on the fluid type or number. My haynes book says that I have a New Venture 3500 transmission and gives me a photo of it. The drain and fill plugs don't look the same in the photo and on my truck. I have about 1" hex plugs on mine, one at the very bottom and one about 3"or 4" above it, do these resemble a NV3500? I can't find any #'s on the transmission, but they might be hidden. So, is my transmission a NV 3500 or is the picture wrong? and, what do I put in it? Any suggestions would be great, thanks.
May 2, 2006 at 3:53 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
Use a good grade of 15W-90. IF THE OIL is thin like motor oil when you drain it then it is a Mazda tranny and requires 30W motor oil.

If it smells bad like an old dirty sock use the 15W-90 oil.

That is old mechanic wisdom! losone
May 2, 2006 at 4:32 AM

Suggested Repair

Drain the manual transmission and inspect the old fluid. If it is thin like motor oil, treat it as a Mazda transmission and refill with 30W motor oil. If it smells strongly like a dirty sock, use a good grade of 15W-90. The reply does not confirm whether the transmission is an NV3500.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 V6 S-10 wants the correct manual transmission fluid and asks whether the truck's 1-inch hex drain and fill plugs match a New Venture 3500. The expert recommends 15W-90 unless the drained oil is thin like motor oil, which would indicate a Mazda transmission requiring 30W; a dirty-sock smell points to using 15W-90.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle