How do I check transmission fluid

Hello

The fluid level plug is on the side of the transmission which is checked much like a stick shift, with the engine running fill until it comes out here is the plug location in the diagrams below.

Fluid Types

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID

ATF Z1 Automatic Transmission Fluid (Saturn Part No. 22717466).

Capacities
4T45-E Automatic Transaxle

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4T45-E

Bottom Pan Removal. 6.5 liters (6.9 qts)

Complete Overhaul. 9.0 Liters (9.5 qts)

Dry. 12.2 Liters (12.9 qts)

Measurements are approximate

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

You noted that you are trying to check your transmission fluid, but you also say that you have a manual transmission. If your Vue is a manual, then you do not have transmission fluid. You have gear oil, and a lack of it is most likely not your issue. Your issue would be a worn out clutch pressure plate, which is normal given the vehicle mileage.

If your Vue is an automatic, then there is no dipstick to check the fluid level. Instead, there is a bolt on the side of the transmission that you have to take off to check the level. Basically, you put the car on a lift, take the bolt off, and stick your finger in there. If you get fluid on your finger, then no more fluid is needed. If not, then pump some fluid into said hole until it leaks out. See the images below for more in depth explanation.

If your Vue is a manual transmission, please let me know and I will get you pertinent information concerning it. Thanks!

Hi and thanks for using 2carpros.com. I agreed with the above statement however, you could have the 5 speed unit. If you do then you will have a dipstick. Take a look at this video that will help with checking fluid this way.

https://youtu.be/D7bgOjIRMMw

Then please see the info below from the manual on how to check the fluid on this unit.

I hope this helps

Take care,
Joe

On the driver side of the vehicle, on the top of the transmission, there's a plastic yellow thing with a picture of a gear with liquid in it (indicating transmission fluid), that's your transmission dipstick. The only other yellow plastic piece that you can see is your oil dipstick. The tranny dipstick is bolted down with a 12 mm bolt that you'll have to remove. After removal of the bolt, just pull the dipstick straight out to check fluid level. The dipstick may be a bit harder to pull out than you imagine, but as long as you took that bolt off, it'll come out.
The transmission that's in your Saturn was not intended to be checked by the owner. The theory is that you'll check your fluid when it's not up to temp, think its low, and add more, overfilling your transmission. However, I think most owners would prefer having a more easily accessible dipstick. Even if it's only to check the color of your tranny fluid. You should also make sure that the fluid doesn't have a burnt odor.

Just to add to this one I posted the location of the fill hole and the dipstick. It uses atf-z1 fluid.

What transmission? Vt25-e 8.53 quarts
5-AT AWD 8.6 FWD 9.1
4t40-e 9.5 quarts
getrag 5-speed 1.8 quarts
all these spec's are after a complete overhaul.

Draining it is easy, refilling it is the problem.

First you need the correct CVT fluid and the CVT additive. These are not common fluids or universal types, generally they are dealer only items.
Fluid = Saturn DEX-CVT P/N 22688912 Additive = Saturn DEX-CVT P/N 22697447
And a new lower tube drain plug

Next you need a scan tool that can read the transmission temperature. That is because it gets filled by temperature.

The drain is located on the trans near the axle. But it is two parts, there is a plug in the middle and a tube that the plug screws into. You remove the plug first. Then remove the tube. That lets the fluid drain out. Now to refill you replace the long tube first, torque it to 20 Nm (15 ft lb). Now install the smaller drain plug finger tight.

With the vehicle flat and level, add 6 quarts of DEX-CVT fluid.

Now start the engine and hold the brake. Shift the trans into reverse for ten seconds, then into drive for another ten seconds. Now back into park. Leave the engine running. That circulates the trans fluid around the system.
Next go under the vehicle (keep it level, if you are using a jack you need to jack both ends, if ramps use them on both ends, or use a lift) and remove the small drain plug. If fluid runs out in a steady stream, let it run until it stops. If no fluid runs out, add fluid until it starts to run out.
Once the fluid stops you install the new lower tube drain plug and tighten it to 11 Nm ( 97 Inch lb)

Now you connect up the scan tool and look at the transmission fluid temperature and add fluid following this table -

If the transmission fluid temperature is 20°C (68°F) or less, add 0.47 liter (0.5 qt) of fluid to the transmission.
If the transmission fluid temperature is 40°C (104°F), add 0.71 liter (0.75 qt) of fluid to the transmission.
If the transmission fluid temperature is 60°C (140°F), add 0.95 liter (1.0 qt) of fluid to the transmission.
If the transmission fluid temperature is 80°C (176°F), add 1.2 liter (1.25 qt) of fluid to the transmission.

Now you can shut off the engine. Finally inject the entire contents of the DEX-CVT P/N 22697447 additive into the transmission.

Now after all of that there is a lower tech way that should work just as well. With a cold engine jack up the vehicle. Remove the drain parts. Drain the fluid into a container. Now measure the amount of fluid using something like a measuring cup. Get as accurate as possible, no guessing as fluid level in these is somewhat critical.
So lets say you drain it and get 7.5 liters of fluid out. Install the tube and the new drain plug. Now pour in the first six liters of fluid. Inject the additive, start the engine and shift it as above. Now pour in the remaining 1.5 liters. If you had removed 7.5 liters, and you replaced it with 7.5 liters the trans fluid should be at the correct level.

I would prefer using the scan tool but I cannot see a reason why the other method would not work just as well.

If you were 3 liter's low on fluid I would think something would show up a lot sooner then 9 month's. If it's not under warranty I don't see a reason why the dealer would say it was low when it wasn't. It does take a out of the ordinary way to set the correct fluid level on them though.I can tell you this though those transmission's on the 4cyl vue's are a piece of junk.I remember the first time I saw one when I went to vue training and even then I didn't like there design.I have repaired so many of those transmission's like major repair's 8 out of 10 repair's the transmission had to come out and be torn down. One vue come's to mind in 50,000 mile's the transmission was repaired twice and replaced once in the same vue.

If that's the case then I would get a work order from Saturn stating that the fluid was low and caused the transmission to fail. Then bring the work order to the shop where you had the transmission service done and see if they will take care of the cost of the transmission. If they won't then you will probably have to take them to court.