Drivetrain Transmission, LSD, Clutch, Driveline, Axles...

Finally: Organized F35 transmission fluid thread

Old Jun 20, 2020 | 02:26 PM
  #201  
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The trans has two plugs on the driver side, one is to empty and one to fill. They are right next to the subframe.
For filling up you want to add the fluid until it start to start dripping. Im sure if you keep digging you will find how much it actually is

Pic so you can get an idea how it looks
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Old Jun 21, 2020 | 04:39 AM
  #202  
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Originally Posted by Snail_SS
The trans has two plugs on the driver side, one is to empty and one to fill. They are right next to the subframe.
For filling up you want to add the fluid until it start to start dripping. Im sure if you keep digging you will find how much it actually is

Pic so you can get an idea how it looks
Last trans we did was just under 2 quarts. the OP says 1.7 which could be right on. I don't really remember 100% how much was left in the second quart, and I just ordered 2 quarts for a drain and fill with my axle changes.
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Old Jun 21, 2020 | 04:41 PM
  #203  
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Yup i know I bought 2 quarts as well but I didn't measure either just added until it started to dripped and put the plug back in
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Old Jun 23, 2020 | 12:47 PM
  #204  
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Also. Make sure the car is level when you're filling it. If your car is leaning to one side, or you have the front jacked up and the rear on the ground, it can skew the results. You might end up putting too much or not enough in.
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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 03:20 AM
  #205  
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I have seen this as well, and after a little research it seems this should be suitable too.
https://genuinesaab.com/catalog/prod...products_id=89
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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 04:53 PM
  #206  
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Has anyone tried ATF in the F35? I run in it my F23 and it loves it. Not sure how different the trans are though.
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Old Jun 24, 2020 | 05:50 PM
  #207  
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The only worry there would likely be the synchros and the gear oil's ratings (GL4/GL5). I seem to recall the F35 having brass synchros. Does the F23?

Honestly, most gear oils will work. It's not like running MT90 is why someone's 400 wtq car murdered the transmission.
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Old Jul 1, 2020 | 07:57 PM
  #208  
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Late to respond to this....

Not sure if the F23 has brass synchros or not. Trans are not my specialty haha. However I did read up on something somewhere that said the GM fluid for the F35 in the SC cars was comparable to atf 3 and the stuff for the SS trans was like atf 4. This was posted on the internet so I am not too sure if I believe it or not.
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Old Apr 17, 2021 | 07:15 AM
  #209  
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Additional Info Including F23 - Credit to FB Group

Found this additional info and includes F23 info.

Alpologies for the text wall in advance. Ok so after seeing a lot of questions and misinformation on transmission fluid I decided to get this straight and post it for anyone who needs it. To clarify I am a gm master ase tech working at a gm dealer, this is the factory recc fluids and most people that know anything can agree that the factory fluid is what you should run on a stock trans. All part numbers are ac delco. There is no difference for fluids between lsd and non lsd since our lsd is a quaife gear drive instead of clutch system.

Cobalt ss f35 05-07 with 4:05 final drive used to run P#21018899. It has been discontinued and replaced with the new f35 gl4 fluid.

Cobalt ss f35 08-10 with 3:82 final drive should run (old number) P#88862472 75w85 GL4 or (new number) P#19351859 75w85 GL4 fluid. GL5 fluid is not technically compatible with the f35 trans and "can" cause excessive wear on the brass syncro blocker rings so it is not recommended.

Cobalt f23 trans 05-07 regardless of ratio used P#88861800 manual trans fluid (This is a dex IV based fluid but with extra additives)

Cobalt f23 08-10 changed over to Dexron IV fluid from the factory. Personally I recc using P#88861800 as it is compatible and has additives for increased wear protection.

I hope this helps clear up the confusion.

For capacity and fill level here is some information.
All f23 and f35 have a fill/check plug and drain plug on driver side of trans. Some f23's have a additional fill port on top of the trans. Fill level is critical, both need to be checked level BUT f23 trans is checked when cold and f35 is checked when warm. Warm check is made after driving the car at 65-75mph for 15miles on f35 both sc and tc. F35 hold 2.0qt completly dry, drain and fill is usually between 1.6 to 1.8qt depending on how long you drain and if you tip the car towards the drain plug. F23 holds 1.9qt dry and drain/fill is around 1.5 to 1.7qt.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/220853...5797282326958/
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 11:11 AM
  #210  
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I know this thread is old and Cobalt SS's are few and far theses days but I'd thought i would share some info.

The GM numbers have been superseded many times and my local dealer was not 100% sure what the right new number was.

My 05 SS sc now has 234,000 on it and last time i changed the trans oil I wasn't able to find any info online this was 06 or 07 right at the 100,000 mile mark so i used Bel Ray "GearSaver" 80/90 hypod oil. it been great but now at 234,000 I thought it be good to change it again. I was not experiencing any issues but was doing brakes and summer tires etc.. I came here for info and found this thread got frustrated trying to find the GM part and said okay go with the REDLINE. I could not believe how HORABLE the shifting was. I was beginning to think i messed something up. 3rd gear was the toughest to get in to the point that i was depressed as i just sunk $$ in to the car. I decided to drain the Reline after two weeks and looked at my old notes and ordered 2 quarts of the Bell Ray and I'm now back to smooth shifting like the car was when new.

Bel Ray Gear Saver


44Dwarf

PS: No i don't work for Bel Ray. but did at one point own a motorcycle shop and we used lot of there products and i still do on my own bikes
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 11:53 AM
  #211  
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I had negative experience with the "recommended" redline fluid - but I stayed quiet at the time because I was still under warranty.
I tossed that crap, and bought the GM stuff.

I am not sure why GM keeps changing and superseding part numbers.
Why the SS/SC had one fluid, while the SS/TC had another fluid was perplexing...
What makes matters worse is that GM-USA sometimes used different part numbers than GM-Canada.

I would think that if the dealer's pars guy is worth his salt, he should be able to source to correct fluid based off a search of parts for that car.


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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 02:07 PM
  #212  
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Gm changes the numbers either when suppliers change or there is a fluid makeup change/update. Can also change if a old fluid is compatible with a newer vehicle so the old numbers supersede to a new number with the new vehicle. Like a rear axle fluid that was for a 04-08 something is compatible and cheaper to make for a 2018/20 or whatever and its good enough for their engineer wear testing, they will change the part number and restart making the new "old" fluid under a new number and discontinue the old one.

The link post by chevylife is mine from facebook a while back. If you cant tell i was a little aggravated with arrogant facebookers I will check and see if those part numbers i posted are still in effect or have updated. Its alot easier for me to verify most anything for yall bc i have access to gm parts department vs general parts guys ive seen people ask at other dealers that have not a care in the world to help or patience/intelligence to dig for the correct information.

Last edited by Kolt; Jun 23, 2022 at 02:16 PM.
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 02:48 PM
  #213  
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Originally Posted by Kolt
Gm changes the numbers either when suppliers change or there is a fluid makeup change/update. Can also change if a old fluid is compatible with a newer vehicle so the old numbers supersede to a new number with the new vehicle. Like a rear axle fluid that was for a 04-08 something is compatible and cheaper to make for a 2018/20 or whatever and its good enough for their engineer wear testing, they will change the part number and restart making the new "old" fluid under a new number and discontinue the old one.

The link post by chevylife is mine from facebook a while back. If you cant tell i was a little aggravated with arrogant facebookers I will check and see if those part numbers i posted are still in effect or have updated. Its alot easier for me to verify most anything for yall bc i have access to gm parts department vs general parts guys ive seen people ask at other dealers that have not a care in the world to help or patience/intelligence to dig for the correct information.
Thank you VERY much for being willing to look into this
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Old Jun 24, 2022 | 09:54 AM
  #214  
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So a update, as of right now for F23, part # 88861800 is still available, its a direct ship fluid (from manufacturer) so it normally takes a week or so to get, my work currently stocks some which i may be buying a few for my ls Other dealers should have some in stock in varying quantities. Its also available from amazon or summit
Amazon Amazon
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-10-4033
For F35 the newest fluid is still part number 19351859, looks like also direct ship, my work doesn't have any but showed some other dealers do. CED and summit looks like to have some in stock.
19351859 Manual Transmission Fluid (SAE 75W-85)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-10-4104

here is what each bottle should look like if you source them from your local dealer

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Old Oct 23, 2022 | 04:19 AM
  #215  
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Steps on how to replace transmission fluid

hey guys, I need a fluid change but am also unaware of where also to purchase it... I'm struggling. any suggestions help ty
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Old Oct 24, 2022 | 12:07 AM
  #216  
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Originally Posted by LMGYuwaku
hey guys, I need a fluid change but am also unaware of where also to purchase it... I'm struggling. any suggestions help ty
Like where to go to get it chnaged or where to get the fuild? This thread has the part numbers for fluid so just take that to any gm dealer to get. Any shop can do a drain and fill just make sure they use the right fluid
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Old Jun 4, 2025 | 11:03 PM
  #217  
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Originally Posted by xxxxsh4d0wxxxx
Well, while I was away, I was still reading around on the forum, and I finally noticed.. Here in the drivetrain section, we don't even have a sticky thread, with given information, for the F35 (SS/SC) transmission fluid, or even for the F35 (SS/TC).

I recently bought the fluid for mine, with not much help from previous threads. I would guess that over 85% of them contained incorrect information. We have people using the wrong fluid, with the wrong additives in the fluid, wrong weight of fluid, wrong amount of fluid, etc.

Also, the How-To that we DO have for the F35 (SS/SC) transmission, was completely incorrect. The OP who made the How-To, used Mobil-1 straight GL in his transmission.

We need to offer correct information for people on this forum who are in search of learning about this car.

On to the information..

1) The F35 (SS/SC) does take a 75W-90, GL-4, transmission fluid.

2) You DO NOT, I cannot make this any clearer, DO NOT, want friction modifiers! The friction modifiers will not allow the synchronizers in the transmission to work properly. This goes for BOTH the SS/SC and the SS/TC.

3) As for the limited-slip.. Ours are sealed. They are "Quaife ATB" differentials, and the lubricant does not affect them. AT ALL! This is why you DO NOT need limited-slip additives! This goes for BOTH the SS/SC and the SS/TC.

3a) *Side note* - This is why the How-To, (On this forum), is incorrect. The OP used 75W-90, WITH limited-slip additives. He is throwing differential gear fluid, in his transmission. The fluid is too slippery for proper synchronizer operation.

4) Even though the F35 comes with GL-4, you might want to use an aftermarket GL-5, if you feel need be. You can, although, make sure it is the correct specs as mentioned above! MOST GL-5's meet or exceed GL-4 specs.

5) The F35, (SS/SC) transmission, comes with fluid part number 21018899.. While The F35, (SS/TC) transmission, comes with fluid part number 88862472.

6) SS/TC guys, I would ABSOLUTELY NOT run anything other than part number 88862472, this is the most current GM fluid for your transmission.

7) SS/SC guys, feel free to use part number 88862472, in fact, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is a 75W-85 GL-4. It is the new "standard", over the old 21018899.

8) IF you feel the need to go aftermarket on the fluid, the ONLY fluid I recommend is - Red-Line 75W-90 NS GL-5 Gear Oil, and I ONLY recommend it for the SS/SC guys. You NEED 75W-90 NS, if you plan on using this fluid, because there is regular 75W-90, which has friction modifiers. It does not matter if you have G85 or not. Like I said earlier, our limited-slip is a sealed unit. No fluid you put in there, will see it.

9) DO NOT use Royal Purple, or any of that synchromesh garbage. Either stick with the 2 factory numbers I provided, or the Red-Line fluid. NO IF'S AND'S OR BUT'S!!

10) The transmission fluid should be changed around, in my opinion, 60k. As for the amount, you will need to buy 2 quarts. However, it will only take 1.7 quarts.

11) The code for the SS/SC transmission is F35-MC2. The code for the SS/TC transmission is F35-MU3.

Feel free to ask questions. I believe everything has been clearly answered, though.
I have a 2009 SS Sedan Dose it have the The F35 I'm kind of confused its the 2.0 Turbo engine. I have 150k miles on it and the the trans is really notchy and sometimes hard to shift into reverse want to change the fluid don't look to hard but confused to what fluid to use.
Please advise
Thanks Mike L
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Old Jun 5, 2025 | 09:27 AM
  #218  
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As an FYI, you didn’t need to quote that entire post - you only needed to ask the question.

Unless someone changed the transmission to something different, yes you have the F35.

The F35 was the only transmission behind the 2005-2007 2.0l LSJ (supercharged) and 2008-2010 2.0l LNF (turbocharged) engines.

I strongly caution AGAINST using anything other than the correct GM fluid.
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Old Jun 5, 2025 | 03:07 PM
  #219  
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FYI, current GM part number for the F35 trans oil is 19351859. 2qts needed if you swap it out.
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