Figured Id give this a shot today....
Any tips?
How much fluid do I need to put back in it? It looks like its going to be hard to get fluid in it. Suggestions?

If a 97 Olds AWD believe its 2 qts but run your VIN at the dealer cause they have a newer blue syn fluid that was designed for chattering in the clutch packs on AWD and Autotrak 4wds - I got a 3ft section of 1/2 line clear tubing and pour it in from beside the vehicle - much cleaner than a suction gun or squeezing it in.

If a 97 Olds AWD believe its 2 qts but run your VIN at the dealer cause they have a newer blue syn fluid that was designed for chattering in the clutch packs on AWD and Autotrak 4wds - I got a 3ft section of 1/2 line clear tubing and pour it in from beside the vehicle - much cleaner than a suction gun or squeezing it in.


Haynes manual says 1.25 quarts.
Should I go with that blue fluid then? Is it available at Autozone?

Good idea on the tubing....I assume you just remove the upper plug? I just removed the lower one today to drain it, never done this before....Think I might tackle the differentials next.
Should I see any improvements from doing these fluid changes? No real problems now, just shifts sort of hard, especially during the first drive of the day.

Remove upper plug
Remove lower plug, let it drain.
Reinstall lower plug
Pour Fluid into the upper fill hole until fluid comes out the upper plug hole,
Reinstall upper fill plug.

Job Done. :D

Remove upper plug
Remove lower plug, let it drain.
Reinstall lower plug
Pour Fluid into the upper fill hole until fluid comes out the upper plug hole,
Reinstall upper fill plug.

Job Done. :D


Sounds simple enough.....
Differential changes that simple, too?

Will I notice any differences?

Diffs will require a hand pump to suck the fluid out.

The refill is simple, fill until the fluid is below the fill hole.

You don't have to remove the rear diff cover to drain it, the hand pump can do it quite easily.

Blue is dealer only called Autotrak II. Up to you - can only help but $8/qt.
Only value on removing the rear diff cover is cleaning the metal shavings off the magnet but its a stinky mess of a job. Eiher way go with 80w-90 that covers all rears even posi (G80 option in glove box) or a pricier syn type.

Unless it is a AWD, normal ATF will be great in the transfer case seeing that's what is called for it.

For the differentials, go with synthetic 75w90 for better fuel economy and wear protection.

Unless it is a AWD, normal ATF will be great in the transfer case seeing that's what is called for it.

For the differentials, go with synthetic 75w90 for better fuel economy and wear protection.


I used Valvoline Maxlife Dexron 3 ATF. That should be fine, right? Kind of worried with the "if its not AWD" part.....it is AWD, Bravada with smarttrak.
Thats what they said to use at autozone.......
This was a much easier job than I thought it would be, I CAN NOT believe that shops want $100 to do it.

I used Valvoline Maxlife Dexron 3 ATF. That should be fine, right? Kind of worried with the "if its not AWD" part.....it is AWD, Bravada with smarttrak.
Thats what they said to use at autozone.......
This was a much easier job than I thought it would be, I CAN NOT believe that shops want $100 to do it.

You will have to add an additive I think for AWD. GM sells it.

I used Valvoline Maxlife Dexron 3 ATF. That should be fine, right? Kind of worried with the "if its not AWD" part.....it is AWD, Bravada with smarttrak.
Thats what they said to use at autozone.......
This was a much easier job than I thought it would be, I CAN NOT believe that shops want $100 to do it.

You shouldn't use anything other than AutoTrac II in your AWD. ATF will destroy your AWD transfer case.

You can add the additive though which will upgrade the ATF to autoTrac though right?

Can I get the Auto Trac anywhere besides a dealer?

Couple questions- should I go ahead and put the blue fluid in, drive it, drain it, refill it?
Im not having any problems with it, and Id like to keep it that way.

Drained the Dexron, put the blue AutoTrac in.....
Took it for a 5 minute test drive, it shifts VERY HARD, especially when Im first putting it in gear, like backing out of the garage. It jumps a little bit, didnt do that before.
Is it going to take a little while for the fluid to circulate or what?

I thought the 97 and prior transfer cases didn't require the "blue" autotrak fluid. 98 and up (electronic transfer cases) do require autotrak.

Found this link which references RSG-530-GM fluid. Don't know what that is though.

http://www.rsgear.com/troubleBW4472.htm

I thought the 97 and prior transfer cases didn't require the "blue" autotrak fluid. 98 and up (electronic transfer cases) do require autotrak.

Found this link which references RSG-530-GM fluid. Don't know what that is though.

http://www.rsgear.com/troubleBW4472.htm


The autotrak is in there now, havent seen anything that said it would damage anything.
Shifting has smoothed out too.

I thought the 97 and prior transfer cases didn't require the "blue" autotrak fluid. 98 and up (electronic transfer cases) do require autotrak.

Found this link which references RSG-530-GM fluid. Don't know what that is though.

http://www.rsgear.com/troubleBW4472.htm
You're right, I didn't catch the year. Even though the 97's don't have to use Autotrac II, it is a superior fluid and will prolong the life of the clutch packs and the fluid. In some cases, it also improves fuel economy.

You're right, I didn't catch the year. Even though the 97's don't have to use Autotrac II, it is a superior fluid and will prolong the life of the clutch packs and the fluid. In some cases, it also improves fuel economy.


Improved fuel economy would be quite nice indeed.