2009 Aveo oil change question

[Tagwonzilla]

First, I changed the oil in a ford F150...too easy. Then, I start on the Aveo. I am getting more angry by the minute because there is no clear information on any resource that tells me why the oil isn't draining completely.

This is a 2009 Aveo, thus making the oil filter different from the rest. Soley based on my readings, I'm guessing that the oil pan is different as well. However, I saw what looked like what almost any oil pan looks like located near the front driver's side tire (underneath the vehicle). It had what looks like any other oil pan drain plug I've ever seen. I unscrew the plug with a 9/16'' ratchet (it doesn't fit that tightly but nothing was stripped), what looks like any other used motor oil I have ever seen comes pouring out. The problem is that not all the oil is draining. I know this because of the dipstick reading. The question I keep asking myself is that if that was not motoroil then what did I just drain??

I am desparetly asking for help...thanks

[petrified.rabbit]

You drained the transmission. Not sure what to tell you otherwise.


Btw. Car is all metric.

[Tagwonzilla]

yeah, I know it's metric.... and transmission fluid is pink. So no it wasn't, thanks anyway. I'm more familiar with trucks so I had an idea. Could it have been like a differential for the front wheel drive? I know that transfer cases have oil in them that is similar to motor oil, just thicker. I can't find an engine diagram anywhere on the internet and there aren't any haynes manuals for these things

[Tagwonzilla]

PS, I'm a HMMWV mechanic in the Army so I know a thing or two about vehicles. Just not compacts made in Korea

[petrified.rabbit]

well fwd cars the transfer case and the transmission are one unit and share the fluid.

automatic or manual?

[Tagwonzilla]

Ah, okay. It's an automatic

[Tagwonzilla]

Alright, I figured it out... it was transmission fluid...just brown. Looks like my mistake could be a blessing in disguise because transmission fluid should not be brown like that and have the appearance of used motoroil. Thanks for the help.

[Shibbs]

So these little things have a trans drain plug? Awesome. Glad to hear its not like every other GM car seems to be and needs the pan dropped.

[theratdude64]

So these little things have a trans drain plug? Awesome. Glad to hear its not like every other GM car seems to be and needs the pan dropped.

Agreed, I've done lots of transmission filters and gotta do my aveo, I am soooooooooooooo relieved to see this thread. BTW damn this filter was hard to find, but i found it locally.

How much fluid is associated with a Pan drop? The spec shows 6.2qt, but I'm assuming thats full transmission? Is it just like 2-3qt's for a pan drop? I'm used to my camaro that was more like 13qt's with a 6qt pan change lol.