Table of Contents
Here is the answer to the 4l60e transmission fluid capacity and other essential answers to some of the some relevant questions about the 4160e and the transmission.
What does 4l60e mean?
The 4L60E (and related 4L65E) is a series of automatic transmissions from General Motors. The series includes 4 forward and 1 reverse gears, designed for longitudinal engine configurations.
How much transmission fluid does a 4l60e hold?
4L60e Fluid Capacity
The 4L60e fluid volume is 12 quarts (dry) of transmission fluid. This volume is based on a stock, with a shallow 12″ drive tray” “torque converter”. Additional liquid capacity will range from an extra quart or more with a deep pan.
Most passenger vehicles require 12 to 16 quarts of transmission fluid, but the type and amount is determined by the model of the vehicle. While many vehicles come with a dipstick for checking transmission fluid, there are other models that don’t.
How many quarts of transmission fluid do you put in a torque converter?
When installing the converter on the transmission, pour about a quart of ATF (automatic transmission fluid) into the converter before installing it on the transmission.
Finish transmission installation. When finished, install four quarts of ATF in the transmission. Start the engine and immediately add two more quarts. Now, you can add additional fluid to fill the transmission.
How do you check automatic transmission fluid?
To check your automatic transmission fluid, follow these steps:
- Pull out the dipstick. With the shift lever in Neutral or Park and the parking brake set, let the engine run.
- Check the fluid.
- Wipe the dipstick with a clean, lint-free cloth; then reinsert it and pull it out again.
How to Change the 4l60e Transmission Fluid and Filter
Performing a basic drain and fill on your car or truck’s 4l60e transmission is a fairly simple process. As mentioned above, if this is your first time doing a fluid and filter change, you may find it more difficult, but take your time and be careful not to drop the pan, and you’ll be good to go without taking a bath. of transmission fluid.
Step 1: Raise the vehicle with ramps or jacks and jack stands
As always, when doing anything under a vehicle, safety is the number one priority, so it is important that you are able to keep the vehicle high enough to work underneath. of the. The vast majority of DIY car enthusiasts don’t have their own 2 post lift so we need to use ramps or a jack and jack stands and do things on our backs.
Once you put your car or truck on ramps or secure it to jack stands, you can start preparing the area for work. If you have a large cardboard box or something similar that you don’t mind putting transmission fluid in, place it under the transmission in addition to the tray that will be used to catch the old fluid when you drop the transmission tray.
Step 2: Start Removing the Transmission Pan and Shifter Linkage Bolts
Once you’re under the vehicle, you’ll want to start removing the 16 x 13mm bolts around the perimeter of the pan to start the drain. the transmission fluid. Some cars or trucks may not have a transmission drain plug, which is very common on these transmissions. If your car or truck doesn’t have a drain plug, now would be the perfect time to purchase and install one. We recommend the Dorman 216-811, which is a factory replacement deep bowl with a built-in drain bowl.
Depending on which pan your 4l60e has, you’ll want to position the drain pan directly under the transmission to catch any fluid as you start to loosen the pan from the transmission.
It’s usually best to start at the front and work your way to the back that way, you can have the front of the pan sloped down to drain more fluid from the front of the pan, depending on if you have a truck or a car. actually deeper in the front so that’s where you’ll want to start draining Step 1
4: Lowering the Transmission Pan
As mentioned before, this could be tricky if your vehicle’s transmission pan doesn’t have a Factory built-in drain plug that most 4L60s don’t have. t therefore carefully lower the front of the pan to allow the liquid inside to drain into the drain pan.
Once the pan is completely removed, allow the transmission to drain for a few more minutes to remove any residual fluid from the valve body and transmission filter.
Step 5 – Remove Transmission Filter
Once most of the fluid has stopped darning into the receiving pan, you can now begin removing the transmission filter to do this, all you need to do is simply twist and pull. down and it should come free.
Something to keep in mind when pulling the transmission filter is that there is a seal inside the transmission case that the filter usually falls out of, it’s usually best to replace it, but if you can fit the new filter in place and it seals correctly that many people normally leave it on as it could be a real pain to remove.
Step 6: Pan Inspection
Now, once everything is separated and all the fluid has been drained, it’s time to install everything back into the transmission, such as the filter, pan, and gasket. Before replacing the filter and tray, it is necessary to clean the inside of the tray and magnet.
If your transmission is working as it should, don’t be alarmed if the magnet is dirty. If you notice that the tray looks very metallic and there are bits of metal on the magnet, you may have bigger problems. This is what you expect not to see inside your broadcast tray.
Step 7: Reinstallation
Once you determine that your drive tray is free of questionable items and is completely clean, it’s time to put it back together. As mentioned above, there is a seal inside the housing for the filter. Truth be told, if you can get it out, great, but sometimes it’s a real pain in the ass to remove them. It’s not uncommon for people to put the new transmission filter in with the old seal if you’re still holding the pan tight.
4l60e Transmission Crankcase Torque Sequence and Specifications
When torquing the transmission case bolts, be sure to install the bolts in a crisscross or star pattern from one side to the other to prevent over-tightening on one side of the crankcase. GM recommends that the 4l60e transmission gearbox bolts be torqued to 97 in-lbs, so they are not over-tight. Since the transmission case is aluminum, it’s easy to overtighten and remove the treads.
Add fluid and check levels
Once everything is back together and the pan bolts are torqued to spec, we can now put fluid back into the transmission. If you have a “shallow” skillet, you will most likely need 4-5 quarts, while a deep skillet will take 5-6 quarts. Start by putting 3 or 4 quarts first and then start the vehicle. You should notice some transmission fluid on the dipstick. If not, add another quart or so until you start to see fluid on the dipstick.
All transmission dipsticks have a hot and cold level gauge that tells you where your fluid level is. Once you start to see fluid on the dipstick, get into the vehicle and shift gears a few times to get fluid flowing through the system, then check the level again.
If the level seems to be in the right range, take a brisk ride to get some heat in the fluid. When transmission fluid gets hot, the level in the pan begins to change, so it is always best to check the transmission fluid when the vehicle is warm, parked, and on level ground.
How many quarts of trans fluid does a 4l60e consume during a filter change?
Depending on the style of transmission pan you have, in most cases a 4l60e needs 5 to 6 quarts of transmission fluid when performing a standard fluid and filter change by dropping the pan. It is always best to add fluid and check the levels a couple of times to make sure the fluid levels are correct.
How Often to Change Transmission Fluid 4l60e
It is recommended to replace the transmission fluid every 30-50,000 miles depending on use and condition of the transmission. If you have a truck that you tow, an SUV that is constantly stopped and traffic heats up, or a car that you race with (on a track, of course), then you should consider changing your fluid every 30,000 miles based on how exposed it is. to more stress and heat. Once again, the transmission fluid will tell you when it needs to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of transmission fluid does the 4l60e use?
The recommended transmission fluid for the GM 4l60e is Dexron 3 / Dexron 6 / Dex Merc.
Since its introduction in 1993, Dexron 3 (Dex III) has been the recommended transmission fluid for the 4l60e. However, over time, Dex III was phased out and GM released Dex VI in 2005. While Dex 6 is designed for newer vehicles and transmissions, it is backwards compatible with Dexron III transmission fluid.
NOTE: Dexron III cannot be used with transmissions that require Dexron VI.
Eventually, Dexron 3 was combined with Mercon and became Dex/Merc, which is the modern recommended transmission fluid for 4l60e transmissions.
What is the fluid capacity of the 4L60E dry, with torque converter, with deep pan?
Fluid capacity for the 4L60e is 12 quarts of transmission fluid (dry/empty). This amount is based on a stock “shallow” drive pan with a 12″ torque converter. With a deep tray, additional liquid capacity can range from an extra quart or more.
Should I drain my 4l60e?
Flushing a transmission, even the 4L60e is a touchy subject. The best practice is to do a fluid flush on your 4l60e whenever it has been routine maintenance. Otherwise, a simple fluid and filter change would suffice.
Best Transmission Fluid for 4l60e
As we have already noted, the best transmission fluid for 4l60e transmissions is any high quality Dexron 3 or Dexron 6.
4l60e Fluid Change Intervals
We are often asked how often should I service or change the fluid in my 4l60e? Often between 30 and 50,000 miles is acceptable, depending on usage. If your vehicle only sees highway miles then you can wait to change your fluid when you are on the higher end of the spectrum.
If you see a lot of stop-and-go, towing, or race traffic, you should definitely replace the fluid in your 4L60E every 30,000 miles. If your fluid is dark or has a burning odor, then it’s expired and you may have bigger problems on your hands.
How much transmission fluid does a 4l60e torque converter hold?
Depending on the size of the torque converter, the amount of fluid it contains can vary. On average, most 4l60e torque converters hold between 2 and 3 quarts of transmission fluid. When performing a typical transmission fluid change with a pan drop, much of the transmission fluid is not replaced and a good chunk of it is still left in the torque converter.
What happens if you overfill a 4l60e?
If you overfill your 4l60e, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. In many cases, an extra 0.5 to 1 quart of extra transmission fluid won’t do much harm, especially in high performance applications. However, if you overfill your 4l60e with a few quarts, a few things can happen, including:
- Fluid will leak. The fluid
- will become “foamy” or aerated, filling it with air and creating additional problems including:
- Inconsistent transmission pressures
- Inconsistent pump activity
If a 4l60e is overfilled, where will it leak?
The most common place for an overfilled 4l60e to leak would be the breather tube on top of the case. This is used to vent excess fluid as the name implies.
One of the best solutions for this is to install a deep pan to prevent transmission overfilling. A factory-style deep pan adds an extra quart of capacity.
If a 4l60e is overfilled where will it leak?
The most common place for an overfilled 4l60e to leak would be the breather tube on top of the case. This is used to vent excess fluid as the name implies.
One of the best solutions for this is to install a deep pan to prevent transmission overfilling. A factory-style deep pan adds an extra quart of capacity.
Thank you for reading and please follow us on Auto Oil And Fluid!