If you drive your Chevy Camaro in severe condition, such as extreme temperatures, stop and go driving or hilly terain, you should change the automatic transmission fluid every 15,000 miles or 12 months. Otherwise, you only need to change it every 1000,000 miles. However, you may wish to check the transmission fluid regularly to ensure it's still a clear red color.
Support the car above the ground with ramps or jackstands. Make sure the car is level. Place a drain pan beneath the transmission fluid pan. Remove the dipstick from beneath the hood and replace it with a funnel.
Loosen and remove the retaining bolts on the front and sides of the oil pan with a socket wrench. Using four turns each, loosen each of the rear retaining bolts.
Pull down on the front of the pan gently so that the transmission fluid may drain out. Take care not to bend the pan. When the fluid stops draining, finish removing the rear retaining bolts.
Take the oil pan off the transmission and drain the rest of the fluid into the drain pan. Take the gasket off the oil pan and discard it.
Remove the transmission filter and seal from the transmission. Clean the pan and the mating surfaces of the transmission pan and gasket surfaces with a solvent. Allow them to air dry. If there is a magnet in the transmission pan, remove it, clean it and replace it as well.
Coat the new O ring seal for the filter with a coat of Transgel, which is the recommended product for this vehicle. Install the new seal onto the filter and put the new filter into the case.
Install the oil pan with the new gasket onto the transmission. Replace the screws and the conical washer as they were originally to ensure a proper fit. Tighten the bolts with a torque wrench to 12 foot pounds for 1993 to 1995 Camaros. Tighten the bolts to 9 foot pounds on 1996 to 1998 Camaros. Return the car to the ground.
Fill the transmission to the proper level with the engine cold. Use Dexron IIE or III automatic transmission fluid. Alternate adding a little at a time through the funnel and checking the until the fluid reaches the "Cold" mark on the dipstick.
Engage the parking brake on the car, turn the engine on and let it idle for 15 minutes. Apply the brake and slowly move the transmission through the gears and back to "Park."
Remove the dipstick and carefully check the temperature of the fluid. Wipe it with a clean cloth and reinsert it into the filler tube for three seconds. Remove the dipstick again and read the fluid level.
Know that if the fluid is cold, the level should be about 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch below the "Add/Cold" mark. If the fluid is warm, the level should be right around the "Add" mark. Finally, if the fluid is hot, the level should be at the "Full/Hot" mark.
Use the funnel to add more transmission fluid if it's low. When filling the transmission, always remember to check the fluid level often, as overfilling can cause serious damage. When the level is right, replace the dipstick and turn off the engine.
