2013 Encore transmission drain and fill

[Rcflyer2]

That doesn't work if they were underfilled from the factory. I think I read somewhere that some vehicles were in that condition.

Get out. Do you guys make stuff up in here just to complicate an easy job.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

Get out. Do you guys make stuff up in here just to complicate an easy job.

Not at all, the correct procedure to check correct fluid level is to get transmission to 185–203°F and then check the fluid level. Since, there is no dipstick, you need to check fluid level like a rear differential and it is full when it fluid starts to come out of the hole. You need need an app like Torque Pro to monitor transmission fluid temperature.

 

[Rcflyer2]

Not at all, the correct procedure to check correct fluid level is to get transmission to 185–203°F and then check the fluid level. Since, there is no dipstick, you need to check fluid level like a rear differential and it is full when it fluid starts to come out of the hole. You need need an app like Torque Pro to monitor transmission fluid temperature.

You made a ridiculous statement that bucks transmissions aren't filled properly at the factory!!!! Unless there is trans fluid on your driveway or garage floor you dont need to check it however you do need to change it. In which case I stated drain it if you take out 4 quarts put in 4 quarts easy peasy. If you want to be anal pullout the plug on the side of the transmission next to the output shaft start the vehicle and fill it till it runs out. Both ways work.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

You made a ridiculous statement that bucks transmissions aren't filled properly at the factory!!!! Unless there is trans fluid on your driveway or garage floor you dont need to check it however you do need to change it. In which case I stated drain it if you take out 4 quarts put in 4 quarts easy peasy. If you want to be anal pullout the plug on the side of the transmission next to the output shaft start the vehicle and fill it till it runs out. Both ways work.

It is not a ridiculous statement. The factory screws up all the time, I have worked for a major automotive manufacturer and have seen how easy it is to make simple mistakes such as ATF fill volume at a frame plant. Japanese manufacturers would likely fix the problem there or at least before it got to the customer. GM doesn't care and would ship them regardless. They would be happy with the reduced ATF usage and made more profits! In your example, if you take out 4 quarts and fill 4 quarts, but it was 1 quart low to begin with, you would never know. It might take 5 quarts to be full. Even being a quart low can lead to an increase in transmission temperatures. I have done extensive testing for what different levels of ATF fluid do to a transmission.

 

[Rcflyer2]

It is not a ridiculous statement. The factory screws up all the time, I have worked for a major automotive manufacturer and have seen how easy it is to make simple mistakes such as ATF fill volume at a frame plant. Japanese manufacturers would likely fix the problem there or at least before it got to the customer. GM doesn't care and would ship them regardless. They would be happy with the reduced ATF usage and made more profits! In your example, if you take out 4 quarts and fill 4 quarts, but it was 1 quart low to begin with, you would never know. It might take 5 quarts to be full. Even being a quart low can lead to an increase in transmission temperatures. I have done extensive testing for what different levels of ATF fluid do to a transmission.

The encore is made in Korea. The factory states that when draining you will get aprox 4 quarts! So if you get less then use the side fill level check. Gm would certainly care if they sent out vehicles that will fail under warranty!!!! They require fluid change at 45 thousand miles which is in the warranty period. It is a serviceable transmission not lifetime fill.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

The encore is made in Korea. The factory states that when draining you will get aprox 4 quarts! So if you get less then use the side fill level check. Gm would certainly care if they sent out vehicles that will fail under warranty!!!! They require fluid change at 45 thousand miles which is in the warranty period. It is a serviceable transmission not lifetime fill.

I can't speak for GM Korea's quality, but Hyundai/Kia is a complete debacle. They have cars with mismatched wheels at their frame plants! (my buddy used to work for them) Don't believe these quality surveys either, they cherry pick the best vehicles for surveys or manipulate the results.

GM sends out vehicles all the time that will fail under warranty. Look at the PCV valve failure on the Encores and other Ecotec engines. That has a super high failure rate within the 7 year/70,000 powertrain warranty. It is a really easy fix and the aftermarket has came up with a improved design valve cover. There is a reason why GM has reduced the Buick warranty to 5 year/60,000. This will save them a ton on turbo and PCV replacements.

I worked as a supplier for the Big Three domestic companies and several foreign manufacturers. One of these manufacturers put over 5000 vehicles into service with highly likely defect (oil leak). It is a numbers game, if is not a huge volume, they will roll the dice with market returns. They figured there would be less of a hassle to have the dealerships fix the problem and there may be a possibility that the leak may not be severe enough for a customer to notice.

Furthermore you are WRONG about the required fluid change. They do not recommend transmission fluid change for 150,000 miles under normal conditions in my wife's 2018 Owner's manual. Only under severe conditions do they recommend fluid changes at 45,000 miles. Most people don't think they drive in severe conditions even though they do.

My personal advice is to change ATF every 30K miles and 15K miles under severe conditions (unless you can keep the ATF under 190F).

 

[Rcflyer2]

I can't speak for GM Korea's quality, but Hyundai/Kia is a complete debacle. They have cars with mismatched wheels at their frame plants! (my buddy used to work for them) Don't believe these quality surveys either, they cherry pick the best vehicles for surveys or manipulate the results.

GM sends out vehicles all the time that will fail under warranty. Look at the PCV valve failure on the Encores and other Ecotec engines. That has a super high failure rate within the 7 year/70,000 powertrain warranty. It is a really easy fix and the aftermarket has came up with a improved design valve cover. There is a reason why GM has reduced the Buick warranty to 5 year/60,000. This will save them a ton on turbo and PCV replacements.

I worked as a supplier for the Big Three domestic companies and several foreign manufacturers. One of these manufacturers put over 5000 vehicles into service with highly likely defect (oil leak). It is a numbers game, if is not a huge volume, they will roll the dice with market returns. They figured there would be less of a hassle to have the dealerships fix the problem and there may be a possibility that the leak may not be severe enough for a customer to notice.

Furthermore you are WRONG about the required fluid change. They do not recommend transmission fluid change for 150,000 miles under normal conditions in my wife's 2018 Owner's manual. Only under severe conditions do they recommend fluid changes at 45,000 miles. Most people don't think they drive in severe conditions even though they do.

My personal advice is to change ATF every 30K miles and 15K miles under severe conditions (unless you can keep the ATF under 190F).

 

[Rcflyer2]

I dont know where your getting your info but for my 2017 it says at 45000 change the transmission fluid. Period no mention about severe use!!!

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

So, I didn't think the 2017 manual was different from the 2018 manual, but I pulled up the 2017 manual from the GM site. I am getting my information directly from GM! I highlighted the differences for your visually impaired self. I realize I mis-spelled transmission, I am too used to spell check and was typing too fast!

 

[Rcflyer2]

So, I didn't think the 2017 manual was different from the 2018 manual, but I pulled up the 2017 manual from the GM site. I am getting my information directly from GM! I highlighted the differences for your visually impaired self.

 

[Rcflyer2]

Your an a$$hole

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

Your an a$$hole

And what you posted up was just to simplify the owner's manual and not have two different sets (to save paper or laziness). The owner's manual is the final word. The maintenance schedule does not even mention anything about brake fluid. Why I am that, just because I am right and you are wrong.

 

[Rcflyer2]

Your an a$$hole

And what you posted up was just to simplify the owner's manual and not have two different sets (to save paper or laziness). The owner's manual is the final word. The maintenance schedule does not even mention anything about brake fluid. Why I am that, just because I am right and you are wrong.

You proved my point exactly about OCD morons

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

You proved my point exactly about OCD morons

You are pretty bold to be a new member and calling people names here. Some of us have over 20 years in the automotive industry and many years dealing with market returns of transmissions from dealerships.

By the way according to the Chilton's manual:

Fluid Change – Drain Plug – Approximate Capacity

4.0–6.0 liters

4.2– 6.3 quarts

That is a pretty big range from 4.2-6.3 quarts, not just the 4.2 quarts you mentioned. That is bad advice to just put in what you took out without checking to make sure it had the correct amount to begin with. There is a chance it was overfilled or underfilled from the factory. Dealerships are notorious for overfilling transmissions which can be as bad as underfilling a transmission. I doubt dealers check ATF fluid level for Buicks for PDI, but it is required for some manufacturers.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Your an a$$hole

You proved my point exactly about OCD morons

Disagreements happen. There's no need for the name calling. Leave that on Facebook.

 

[Again]

You guys should cool it you're giving this forum a bad rep. My 2¢ the maintenance schedule in the manual isn't always updated properly and often misleads.
-For example it says the check the spark plugs wires; no such thing on a Trax 1.4l or 1.8l.
-Also says to change the power steering fluid; no such thing on a Trax 1.4l.
-It also states to change the spark plugs at 60000 miles while manufacturer states 100000 miles for dual iridiums. So there you go!!! My 2.5¢

 

[G-975523]

I realize that it's part of the " norm " now a days but SOMETHING, aka wear, is going on in any transmission. It's impossible for it not to be happening. Why do you think engine oil changes are still the norm ? And filters ? Because there is wear. You can see it on a dipstick for engine oil. You can't see it easily on a sealed transmission unless there is at least a drain plug and fill plug. Most manufacturers base the cost of a vehicle on many factors, one of them being maintenance items. Yes some will last a long time, some won't. As we all know no one's going to make a car that will last 20 to 25 years with no parts to sell. And how about the dealers ? What are they supposed to do after the sale ? The result would be far fewer dealers in business and the car makers would be selling far less vehicles.. That's not a combination for a thriving economy. Maybe I'm old school, but I'd like the option to at least change the fluid and maybe the filter every 50k or so... I'm not sure about the Encore but the Subaru does have a drain plug.. also a stupid side fill hole. There is no dip stick however. And it is a " sealed " transmission. So you can kinda change the tranny oil but it's an incomplete change at best. Just look at Wymer, Go Mich, and The Airman's posts.. For a guy that wants to insure long trouble free service, a sealed transmission doesn't make sense, especially after 100K. That said, I'd love to see posts from guys having well over 100k with these Encores. There must be a few around I would imagine. And I would be happy to see them.. wouldn't change my mind about being a dumb idea but it would be nice to see that an American ( well make the South Korea ) company/manufacturer is making a product that lasts a long time.. And btw, I'm glad your GM trannys are holding up for you. I really am, I just don't think everyone is having the same experience as you are.

My mother-in-law has an encore and I just got done changing the oil on it and I was going to do the transmission fluid also but and I'm not sure if it would be worth it I want to do it even though it would still be an incomplete job because of the filter not being changed however her Encore has 97530 miles on it as of 6:30 p.m. on Thursday june 24th..... she lives in Cecil County Maryland in Port Deposit and she drive to Wilmington on 4th Street every day to work and then drives back home she hasn't had any problems with it but she just wants me to be able to keep her car with fluid in it and regularly drain them and fill them

 

[poncho167]

My mother-in-law has an encore and I just got done changing the oil on it and I was going to do the transmission fluid also but and I'm not sure if it would be worth it I want to do it even though it would still be an incomplete job because of the filter not being changed however her Encore has 97530 miles on it as of 6:30 p.m. on Thursday june 24th..... she lives in Cecil County Maryland in Port Deposit and she drive to Wilmington on 4th Street every day to work and then drives back home she hasn't had any problems with it but she just wants me to be able to keep her car with fluid in it and regularly drain them and fill them

I wouldn't touch the transmission fluid if there is no history of it being changed previously. The owners manual says every 35,000 miles if I am not mistaken.

 

[MsMighTy]

Good write-up and pretty close to what the factory workshop manual says.

But..... the manual is very specific on using ONLY Dexron VI. Also the drain plug torque is (106 lb in), about (8.5 to 9 lb ft).

Next the manual states the tranny MUST be at 185- 203 deg. F (measured with test equipment) in order to check for the proper level. AND, the vehicle must be running to check it. Otherwise you could over or under fill the transmission.

So....... after you have put your fluid back in, bring the tranny up to operating temperature, put the car level on a lift, and with the car idling, then remove the oil level set plug.

If the fluid comes out as a stream, wait until the fluid begins to drip out. If no fluid drips out, add fluid with the engine running until the fluid begins to drip.

Fluid capacity is 8.5 quarts.

Would that go for the 2014 model encore as well?

 

[Again]

Same transmission