2010 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN check transmission fluid

How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Notice:Too much or too little fluid can damage
the transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little
fluid could cause the transmission to overheat.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level, prepare the vehicle as
follows:
1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level surface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (Park). 3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, move the shift
lever back to P (Park).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500 –800 rpm) for at least
one minute. Slowly release the brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the Trip/Fuel button or trip odometer reset stem until TRANS
TEMP (Transmission Temperature) displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and perform the appropriate check procedure. If the
TRANS TEMP reading is not within the required
temperature ranges, allow the vehicle to cool,
or operate the vehicle until the appropriate
transmission fluid temperature is reached.
6-27

Cold Check Procedure
Use this procedure only as a reference to determine
if the transmission has enough fluid to be operated
safely until a hot check procedure can be made. The
hot check procedure is the most accurate method to
check the fluid level. Perform the hot check procedure
at the first opportunity. Use this cold check procedure to
check fluid level when the transmission temperature is
between 27°C and 32°C (80°F and 90°F).
1. Locate thetransmission dipstick
at the rear of the
engine compartment,
on the passenger side
of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for more information.
2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the
reading.
5. If the fluid level is below the COLD check band,add only enough fluid as necessary to bring the
level into the COLD band. It does not take much
fluid, generally less than 0.5 Liter (1 Pint). Do not
overfill.
6. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the transmission reaches a normal
operating temperature between 71°C to 93°C
(160°F to 200°F).
7. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-28

Hot Check Procedure
Use this procedure to check the transmission fluid level
when the transmission fluid temperature is between
71°C and 93°C (160°F and 200°F).
The hot check is the most accurate method to check the
fluid level. The hot check should be performed at the
first opportunity in order to verify the cold check. The
fluid level rises as fluid temperature increases, so it is
important to ensure the transmission temperature is
within range.
1. Locate thetransmission dipstick
at the rear of the
engine compartment,
on the passenger side
of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for more information.
2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Install the dipstick by pushing it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. Repeat the check procedure to verify the
reading.
5. Safe operating level is within the HOT cross hatch
band on the dipstick. If the fluid level is not within
the HOT band, and the transmission temperature
is between 71°C and 93°C (160°F and 200°F), add
or drain fluid as necessary to bring the level into
the HOT band. If the fluid level is low, add only
enough fluid to bring the level into the HOT band.
It does not take much fluid, generally less than
0.5 Liter (1 Pint). Do not overfill.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way, then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-29

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Fuel Tank
Regular 26.0 gal98.4 L
Extended 1500 Series 31.5 gal119.2 L
Extended 2500 Series 39.0 gal147.6 L
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement) 6L80-E Transmission 6.0 qt5.7 L
6L90-E Transmission 6.3 qt6.0 L
Transfer Case Fluid 1.6 qt1.5 L
Wheel Nut Torque 140 lb ft190Y
†Oil filter should be changed at every oil change.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this manual.
Recheck fluid level after filling.
6-126

.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades
on
page 6‑113. Worn or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 6‑61.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders,
folding seat hardware, and liftgate hinges,
linkage, and handle pivot points lubrication.
See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑12. More frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component check. See Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 2‑101.
.Automatic transmission fluid level check
and adding fluid, if needed. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission)
on
page 6‑23or Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) on page 6‑26.
.Four‐wheel drive vehicles: Transfer case fluid level
check and adding fluid, if needed.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑17.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑31.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑41.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑72.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑78.
7-5

Once a Year
.Starter switch check. SeeOwner Checks and
Services on page 7‑10.
.Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7‑10.
.Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. See Owner Checks and Serviceson
page 7‑10.
.Ignition transmission lock check. See Owner
Checks and Services on page 7‑10.
.Hood and liftgate gas strut support service.
Visually inspect gas strut for signs of wear,
corrosion, cracks, loss of lubricant, or other
damage. Check the hold open ability of gas strut.
Replace as necessary with genuine parts from
your dealer.
.Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser
outside cleaning. See Cooling System
on
page 6‑30.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat shields
inspection for loose or damaged components.
.Accelerator pedal check for damage, high effort,
or binding. Replace if needed.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
40 000 km/25,000 Miles
.Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Engine air cleaner filter replacement. See Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21.
.Automatic transmission fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) over 3 901 kg (8,600 lbs) or mainly
driven in heavy city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or
mountainous terrain, when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi, police, or delivery service.
See Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission)
on page 6‑23or Automatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission)on
page 6‑26.
7-6

First Engine Oil Change After Every
160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid change (normal
service). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)
on page 6‑23or
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 6‑26.
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer case fluid change
(normal service). Check vent hose at transfer case
for kinks and proper installation. Check to be sure
vent hose is unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris. During any maintenance, if a power washer
is used to clean mud and dirt from the underbody,
care should be taken to not directly spray the
transfer case output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and contaminate the
transfer case fluid. Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the transfer case and should
be replaced.
.Spark plug replacement and spark plug wires
inspection. An Emission Control Service.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain, flush, and refill,
cooling system and cap pressure check, and
cleaning of outside of radiator and air conditioning
condenser (or every 5 years, whichever occurs
first). SeeEngine Coolant
on page 6‑31.An
Emission Control Service.
.Engine accessory drive belt inspection for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious damage and
replacement, if needed. An Emission Control
Service.
7-8

Scheduled Maintenance
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system. ••
Engine coolant level check. ••
Windshield washer fluid level check. ••
Tire inflation pressures check. ••
Tire wear inspection. ••
Rotate tires. ••
Fluids visual leak check. ••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). ••
Brake system inspection. ••
Steering and suspension inspection. •
Chassis components lubrication. •
Engine cooling system inspection. •
Windshield wiper blades inspection. •
Body components lubrication. •
Restraint system components check. •
Automatic transmission fluid level check. •
Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer case fluid level check. •
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions). •
7-9