2.2 petrol Automatic Transmission oil

**skippy** · 22nd September 2006, 13:54

Hi People
Sounds a silly question but where do you put the transmission oil or check the oil transmission for an automatic. My lights come on, and can not find anyway in the users manual where to check or top up the transmission oil
I have a 2002 Vectra-c automatic 2.2 LS

**SCOTTEX** · 22nd September 2006, 14:55

I think it supposed to be a sealed for life item (life meaning about 5 years in GM terms)
Correct me if I'm wrong.

**skippy** · 22nd September 2006, 16:30

Had my gearbox changed by a specialist a while back, told me to check the oil level, stick the car in reverse with the handbreak to check the levels, juts dont know where it is

**Green Growler** · 22nd September 2006, 18:01

In theory, this is a dealer job, as the oil temperature should be checked, via tech2, to ensure the level reading is correct.

**skippy** · 24th September 2006, 20:11

many thanks people i will get the garage to check it out

**VauxVeteran** · 25th September 2006, 01:08

You can top it up I think, you cant check it though due to no dipstick, I believe...and get proper advice before you do it.....there is a threaded bung somewhere on the side of the gearbox, you should then get the car to normal operating temp and top up through the hole the bung sits in until fluid comes running out of it, this is with the engine running btw, but please do check with a box specialist or a friendly Vx mechanic 1st cos this is the method for the old Vx boxes, but the same methods do seem to move from gen to gen anyway, so to give you an idea to pose to an expert, ask if this is still how 2, if you are running low you will have either a leak somewhere or the box is eating it, which unfortunately will mean it's gonna break sometime soon, dont do unit workshop fixes either, they replace half the box and it doesn't last, best route is a scrapper or if your flush a Vx recon. hth

**Gsi3.2** · 25th September 2006, 07:26

Having done this with Mrs GSi's old 2.2 Auto, it's simple..really!!!

look down the front of the 'box.. next to the engine and just behind the rad.

you'll see a little green mushroom headed plastic thing. thats the dipstick.

loosen the nut (12mm socket) but don't fully remove it..

run the car around for a few miles to get the fluid hot ( about 5 miles should do it, or less in town).

put car in park, handbrake on and leave the engine running.

remove the 12mm securing bolt, pull up the dipstick, wipe. replace, and remove again.

there are 2 sets of markings on the dipstick.. hot and cold..by now you will be able to read the 'hot' ones..that will give you the accurate trans fluid level.

replace dipstick and re-install the 12mm bolt.. nip it up..no he-man stuff as the casing is alloy.

**joseantoniovalle** · 6th October 2006, 16:32

i have one question.

Does all 3.2 Auto has de Alsin AF33 tranny?

which type of Transmission Fluid is required?

I found out that GM has one called T-IV Part #88900925 also used in other vehicles with AF33 transmissions.

The price of the T-IV from GM is about 3 times more expensive than the one from Toyota T-IV and since Toyota owns a part of ALSIN the oil has the same spec. (actually i will trust far more in Toyota than GM) but since it is not a part that i want to fool around with i consult it with the experts in this site.

Has anyone used any other brand (compatible or better) or should i use only GM T-IV.

By the way in a dealership in here they even wanted to sell me some bottles of Dextron III so i cannot trust them...