Buying this vehicle knowing it has a "sealed" transmission. 51K miles. Going to get it in a day or two, dont have it here now.
Apparently there is a port for adding fluid, but no dipstick to know when it is full? Is there a method for assessing when it needs fluid? Can i make dipstick for use once i know where full is?
Whats my best choice for tranny fluid? Does it use the same stuff for the power steering?

I would like to drain and fill the tranny with fresh fluid. Is there some procedure i can follow to do that and be sure it is full?

 

To the best of my knowledge, you have the GM 6T45 transmission, much like the 6T40 in my 2015 Chevy Malibu, but a little stronger.built.

There is no such thing as a sealed-for-life transmission. There is a black or red vent cap on top of your transmission. That is where you will refill your transmission. You will need a long funnel to do it correctly. They are available online, or at an auto parts store cheap. You will need to lift your Captiva up on a lift, or use ramps to do so. You will need an oil container, the same as I use to change motor oil. and filter. These to are inexpensive and you can use the to take it to an auto parts store for recycling the old fluid, just like motor oil.

Your transmission has a filter, but it is non-removeable, since it up inside the transmission, not above an oil pan like older transmissions had, so all you will be changing is the fluid. It will only take 4.5 quarts to do so. I would recommend a Dexron VI (6) fluid,.all of which are synthetic.I personally use Valvoline Dexron VI, but AC Delco fluid is just as good. I would recommend 25,000 mile fluid changes, as the Captiva transmission is simply too lightweight for the vehicle weight and size of an SUV and has a poor performance record located on carcomplaints com.

When changing the fluid there is a plug on the bottom of the case to drain the fluid out.Let it drain good and hot. after that, there is a 11 to 13mm plug on the driver's side of the transmission. You will need to turn your steering wheel all the way clockwise to get to it, unless it's on a lift or hoist, and that is where you check your fluid level. Pour the fluid in the vent hole slowly until the fluid runs out of the check hole then reinstall the plug and install the vent cap into the top of your transmission, and you are done.Yes, you can indeed use Dexron VI for your power steering fluid

Best of luck to you, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask, skifan!.

 

Thanks! With the info you have provided we can do the job easy. I checked Wikipedia and it is more likely it has the 6T40 as it is a 2012 and it seems the 6T45 started in the 2013's but,depending on date of manufacture, a late 2012 could have the upgrade. While durability is a concern, this car seems like it was well cared for and from this point forward will be in the hands of my 89 yo mother and subjected to the abuse of being driven less than 5000 miles a year...likely only 35 to 75 miles a week, typically 35. So this may be its one and only tranny fluid change as i suspect it has never been done. Ill get 6 gts of the Dex6 and what left over can be used to swap out some power steering fluid.

 

Job is done, was easy once i located the fill cap and popped the ECM out of the way. I could not believe how black the fluid was. I refilled with 4.5 quarts and pulled the level plug. Red fluid did "gush" out so i quickly put the plug back in. Should i take it back out after being driven a bit and let it drain down to a trickle? How problematic is it if slightly over filled. I know some are very sensitive, some are not. Some are vented and will expel excess through a vent.