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2007 Malibu, Opinions on Changing Transmission Fluid
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apagodz
New User
Jun 27, 2023, 6:31 AM
Post #1 of 5
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2007 Malibu, Opinions on Changing Transmission Fluid
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Hello all,
I recently inherited a 2007 Chevy Malibu, 6-cyl. 3.5l, from my grandmother who passed away. Mileage is just over 40,000 now.
As my grandmother always got the oil changed regularly, even though she didn't drive it much, and it's obviously got sentimental value to me, I want to do every kind of maintenance to keep this thing running well for as long as possible.
I've heard differing opinions on doing transmission fluid exchanges in general, with the manufacturers saying to never do it, but I think that's generally considered a bunch of baloney. However, I've also heard that if you go too long/too many miles without changing the fluid, that you just need to live with it because changing it at that point could cause issues.
So, it's only at 40,000 miles but it's 16 years old. Should I exchange the fluid or not? Any considerations/warnings?
Thanks all,
Alex
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 27, 2023, 8:21 AM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: 2007 Malibu, Opinions on Changing Transmission Fluid
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The manufacturer doesn't recommend changing it under "normal" routine use never but under severe use it says to change it at 50K so it wouldn't hurt to do it now but I don't think there would be any priority to do it now.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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apagodz
New User
Jun 28, 2023, 10:36 AM
Post #3 of 5
(1617 views)
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Re: 2007 Malibu, Opinions on Changing Transmission Fluid
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Wow, thank you for your quick reply. I thought I was set up to get email notifications but I didn't get one.
In any case, I have gone through the owner's manual myself and have read the full recommendations. It's basically saying that, once undergoing enough stress, either by load and/or heat, that it should be changed every 50,000 miles.
With that understanding, I see no reason not to change it once I hit that. I just want to make sure that age itself shouldn't be enough to worry about, in terms of introducing problems where there previously were none (that I can tell).
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 28, 2023, 10:52 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: 2007 Malibu, Opinions on Changing Transmission Fluid
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In your circumstance about the only concern is varnish building up from being stagnant and I think a change would be a benefit.
The problems you are concerned about introducing is when the oil gets contaminated with clutch material and gets brown and burnt. The resulting sludge ends up being what helps seal some of the oil pressure points and the subsequent new detergent of replacing that oil will sometimes wash away the sludge that was holding things together.
Changing the fluid before any of that happens keeps things clean and well sealed.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 28, 2023, 10:57 AM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: 2007 Malibu, Opinions on Changing Transmission Fluid
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Sorry for your loss.
IDK for trans. fluid changes if not sure I'd do it or have done.
If you know driving habits, garaged car will matter IMO totally.
Just don't freak if another does it and says trans is going by some crud inside depending on a list of factors.
Seems to either make things last longer if done all along or bring out an issue it doesn't have now I guess it was impending if so.
I still believe how a car is driven by driver can really matter most,
Tom
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