I was looking at the ownder manual of 2003 Cavalier on the web and found something confusing.

On page 6-5, under "Every 50,000 miles, it says automatic transaxle service is needed, though it also notes "severe conditions only." (https://www.carmanualsonline.info/ch...ners-manual/32.) There is no mention of transaxle service under 100,000 and 150,000 miles services.

However, in the same manual (https://www.carmanualsonline.info/ch...ners-manual/33), on page 321, it also reads "If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing." Here, "these conditions" mean "heavy city traffic, hilly or mountainous terrain, doing frequent trailer towing, uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service."

I'm baffled. What is this 50,000 miles "automatic transaxle service?" Isn't it changing fluid and filter? Is it possible that this car never ever needs changing automatic transaxle fluid and filter? On page 321, it does say manual transaxle fluid doesn't require changing.

 

Any automatic trans will show evidence of bushing and clutch fiber wear. That accumulates in the filter and bottom pan.
If there is any question of past use and whether the fluid and filter should be changed, I would consider changing fluid and filter.
At least you have some idea of if or when it should be changed up the road. If, however, it had a lot of miles and was never serviced, sometimes changing fluid creates problems.

 

If you don't know if it was ever changed or not, it's best to do it. It's an easy job, just jack the car up a bit. New gasket and filter.

 

2002 LS ecotech with 198,000 miles on it not once ever changed. My mechanic said don't change the fluid. I was like "what". He said once you put new fluid in it can mess up the bands. In other words you want to keep the original fluid in there. Not sure how much validity there is to this theory but i never changed mine and she's still going.