Saturn L-Series - Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

Procedure for changing the ATF in Saturn L-Series vehicles that have a GM oil drain pan (no drain bolt). This procedure will work for all 2000-2005 L-Series Saturns. L-Series includes LS1, LW1, LS2, LW2, L200, L300, LW200, LW300.
I take no responsibility or liability for this information. If you decide to do this procedure please proceed at your own risk. I am not a mechanic, this video is only to document my own repairs on my vehicles.

[@brianleeper5737]

1)I can reach both the oil drain plug and the trans fluid level checking plug on that car with it on the ground. Hint: Go at it from the side, not the front. Turn the front wheels if needed to make room. 2)The transmission fluid needs to about 110F when you check it. If the bottom of the pan feels slightly warm it's at the right temp. 3)You'd have to let it idle for a long time for the fluid to get warm enough to burn you (assuming the engine was started at ambient temp) 4)There is a very nice video on how to do this fluid change on a Chevy Cobalt which has the exact same transmission and it shows how to use the level checking plug.

[@davidwalker8360]

Dude, you help me out tremendously and hilarious. Saved me a ton of time, I already wasted looking for the dipstick

[@olschool3740]

Well done. Loved your shock responses in discovery of the moronic engineering. I did this myself with no issue. Had to replace pan, that hit debris on the freeway and bent. Used the OEM pan and, OEM gasket, and replaced filter. Good as new of a POS as you can get.

[@russrobinson4317]

I did this procedure very simply by removing the two front tires and using two floor jacks. with the front tires off i did not need to jack up the rear or get under the car as i could reach thru the fender well. i loosed the bolt prior to starting the car. ran the car until it was at temp and just wore some mechanics wear harbor freight gloves when i removed the screw. the hot fluid did not scald me. I do recommend that anytime your around rotating parts that your clothes and hair are not loose but otherwise this was pretty easy. Your video was helpful for me in locating the bolt and fill cap. However i think you might unnecessarily scare off a lot of people who are more than capable of doing this procedure. The trans fluid DOES NOT get anywhere near as hot as the engine oil when the car is at temp and i've changed engine oil on a hot car plenty off times and had it run down my arm and while not comfortable i have yet to have it scald or scar me.

[@DJDevon3]

From my point of view better safe than sorry. I don't want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt or worse.

[@spelunkerd]

I've also been angry about no dipstick, but it's not only GM who are doing this -- many others have gone that route. It fits with their model to never change trans fluid, ha ha. To get close I carefully measure what came out and put that same volume back in. But that doesn't help if the fluid has been leaking and level is wrong to start. Too bad they don't use a 'cold fill' level, after fluid drains back from the torque convertor.

[@robertalynch5433]

Thanks. I always take my 2000 LW1 to a shop anyway, but I like to see what they are supposed to do. Mine has 230,000 miles and I am going for 500,000. I have had it 20 years and 2 of my grandkids learned to drive in it.

[@prestonpereira808]

Thank you so much for the info and the concern for the safety of everyone man

[@albear972]

Holy hell! I always thought it was a so-called sealed transmission that was impossible to service by do it yourselfers. I never knew it actually had a transmission fluid cap. I bought my brand new Saturn L-100 SE back in June of 02' and still drives like a charm. The best and most dependable car I've ever owned. It now is nearing103,000 miles on the clock and it still looks pretty damned good as its garaged. It has never had the transmission fluid changed. I'll drive it until it dies. Not having car payments absolutely rocks. But I may have to do this transmission oil change soon I suppose.

[@deultima]

I watched this video out of curiosity, because I've noticed those hard shifts you speak of in the lower gears and thought about changing the fluid. When I went searching for a transmission fluid dip stick one day, I was like WTF? So I went to read the owners manual and I quote: Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions: − In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher. − In hilly or mountainous terrain. − When doing frequent trailer towing. − Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service. If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing Ah, Okay GM... That just left me scratching my head in confusion. I always thought changing the fluid was a necessity regardless of how it's driven. And considering I bought it used, how in the world would I ever know how the last guy drove it?

[@martind586]

DeUltima I always heard if the trans is working,,don't mess with it,,esp with high miles!

[@kathybuck411]

@@martind586 I got my 2003 L300 Saturn used. It had 76000+ mile's on it. I started noticing the gears shifting hard shortly after driving it. A car light with a wrench in it appears on my dashboard and the gears shifting hard. I have been driving this car for 11 months this way. And, it's getting worse. I found this video on line and am thinking, why did I get this car? It was given to me. I'm grateful to have received it, but, finding out about how to change the transmission fluid, I want another car. This makes me mad, that Saturn did this to people. And I don't have $300 to get this fixed! I'm just curious how long will I be able to drive my car till something bad happens? I don't really want to know.

[@malachihart7370]

@@kathybuck411 bad news if the service light is on likely already damaged to trans

[@reneemiss8175]

I didn't like the long intro but you made up for it by making me laugh complaining about the GM drip pan and no dipstick, etc. lol Thanks

[@lolcup]

I found this video because of the hardshift that happend at random and went away thank you for the info :). Also the car is great it just was designed in less great ways lol.. but when it works good it works good

[@LC-fl3zm]

My cars been sitting for a while and I just wanted to check the fluid wtf kind of set up thanks for showing me what you found

[@Tremontvolleyball]

I have a 2002 Saturn Sl2 that I just purchased. The transmission has a dipstick tube. I’m assuming I was fortunate because I wasn’t aware of this procedure on transmissions without a tube. As iffy as I feel about the car in general, answers to prayers can turn out to be huge helps.

[@blue_death2146]

It is very posible for diy to do this with the right instructions you almost covered all the process filling it up is simple just level the car on higher stands all 4 and warmup the car to the minimum temp. required take the screw out fill till it drips out and plug back in and done... for safety you can use a temp. Resistant glove over that use a latex glove that way you don't touch hot oil but it doesn't have to get that hot to fill anyways

[@lukesnyder9015]

The Saturn SC1 was awesome. you change ur trans filter and fluid like you do your oil. filoter is like an oil filter outside the trans

[@spelunkerd]

The first time I did a transmission fluid change, I had a gargantuan oil shower all over the floor. Got an oversize drain like Eric uses, and all was good. These always seem to be harder than they should be. One day I was doing a transmission and I accidentally shifted it into neutral, feeling the vehicle lurch while I was underneath. Yikes.

[@DJDevon3]

I realize this video is a bit negative that might come off as bitter but I'm completely honest and forthright with my opinions.

[@PepsiV8Chix]

Dude, can understand your unwillingness to share the whole thing because of the danger involved. But, hey, you really did help me understand how to do this. So I really appreciate that. Thanks a bunch!!

[@DJDevon3]

PepsiV8Chix I had 2 days to think about how I was going to end that video. It was done deliberately and I'm sure you gleamed enough to know what I'm talking about.

[@skelley247]

DAMN GOOD VIDEO I WAS GOING TO CHANGE MY TRANNY FLUID MYSELF, BUT WHEN YOU GOT TO THE LAST PART I SAID NO THANKS, I FOUND A SHOP THAT WILL DO IT FOR $125....I DO LOVE GM BUT THEY DO MAKE SOME DUMB ASS DECISIONS, I HAVE A 2004 L300 AND I WAS MAD THAT THEY DID NOT PUT A DIP STICK IN IT FOR THE TRANNY, ALL MY OTHER GM CARS HAD DIPSTICKS. BUT ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!!!!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

[@jmueller87]

How many miles did the car have when you did a fluid change?

[@skelley247]

200,000 but I sold that joint loooooonnnnggg time ago...lol

[@Skylandvideo]

You showed enough and I appreciate it. I would measure what I took out then put the same amount in and add a quart max. Then run the car (go though the gears) when warn shut the car off remove the plug then start it up again with drain pan below and nothing else. You should lose some atf.

[@nicholasgade2288]

Thankyou kind sir! Super honest much appreciated.

[@jmueller87]

I have fluid leaking from in between the casing where the check fill bolt is. Any idea what’s going on?

[@sumponeighknotyew9757]

Thanks for the great video. At least i know where to refill. I'm dry which means i have a seal leak. Will try to refill frist, then change seal. Then go to dealer - ops no dealer within driving distance.

[@sumponeighknotyew9757]

Refill didn't work. Transmission may be shot.

[@julielathrop4907]

I like the video. It gave me an idea of what a pain in the butt my car is! Sorry some people were so negative. I appreciate the information!

[@DJDevon3]

Julie Lathrop Thank you for the kind words Julie. I'll be really happy the day she trades it in for something else. Trying to get her into a Mazda 3 or Protege hatchback next. She insists whatever is next must have a lift-gate.

[@julielathrop4907]

Yeah I've been having intermittent transmission problems. .. and my brother asked me if i changed the filter. After watching this. I was like that is crazy it's so dangerous! !

[@DJDevon3]

It is but you have to remember GM assumes these are going to be serviced at their shops and put up on proper lifts where it's much more safe. It's only dangerous for the DIY'er that don't have access to a lift and depend on jack stands. There are dangers involved but it's not impossible if you have a certain level of experience. I do not recommend this for a beginner. There is definitely a possibility of serious injury or death if something goes wrong. Be very careful and cautious if you attempt this procedure.

[@julielathrop4907]

Oh i won't. .. but I've been upset because the transmission shop says they can't tell me what is wrong until they open it up. Since its an intermittent problem. .I'm thinking maybe I'll take it to the shop and see if they will change the fluid and filter.

[@julielathrop4907]

And I've always thought it was ridiculous that i could not check the fluid!

[@dwayneazem1383]

thank you sir lol I thought I was the only one when I was looking for the dip stick.

[@DJDevon3]

+Theseus Colpus Don't get me started.

[@caribbeanqueen5589]

All week I looking for a dipstick. Don't feel like an idiot anymore. Great video thanks very much.

[@jennawinter3341]

I felt like a moron looking for it. I was driving myself nuts. Ridiculous

[@Morganthebandgeek]

I love the video, I read my manual though and it does say that there is a drain plug for a Saturn L100.

[@DJDevon3]

Interesting. Can you describe where it's located?

[@Morganthebandgeek]

@@DJDevon3 there's a nut right above the drain pan of the transaxle fluid. Right above that corner bolt

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I'll be paying off my car this upcoming month so with the extra money, I'm going to be doing what I can to get my car in better shape. Though I'm a novice, I'm doing what work I can but I suppose for something like this, I'll take it to a shop. I wish there indeed was a stick though so I can ensure for the high money I'm paying, I'm actually getting a full change. Not sure the last time my transmission fluid was changed and I've owned my car a year but I've had to share it between three people for months at a time. Thankfully, I'm back to being the only one to drive it but it died less than a month after my mom got her own car, lol. I'm hoping a change of battery and alternator will revive her, which I'll be doing today, but I need the fluids checked or changed since the car has sat still for a month with no shade or protection. Also...I'm so not complaining, but I find it hilarious how you kindly started with censoring yourself and then said screw it when going into detail about the design of the car, haha! Considering GM nearly tanked and Saturn DID tank, that probably says something about their cars :) I'll trade up once I have saved up enough to offset a high car note.

[@DJDevon3]

One thing they did right I didn't give them enough credit for was how much particulate was on the magnet after 100K miles. Impressive. All of the electrical Gremlins that Saturns have kind of offset that which is where most of my frustrations with that vehicle came from. There is a recall for the brake light harness (GM will swap it out for you with a better pigtail harness). I go over some of the electrical issues of the car in my Broken Window Switch video. Here's a playlist for all my Saturn L-Series videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGHJqp96rc12ias

[@lukesnyder9015]

JUST DID MY L200 but i couldn't get that circle seal all the way in. it was in the good so I thought good enough but now I'm worried. also looks like about 7 quarts came out

[@jadengreene5917]

My car lurches when I put it in and out of park as well. It also jerks in the lower gears. What would having a dipstick hurt? Most people would take it to be serviced anyway... a dipstick could at least tell you when to change it so you don't fucking blow the transmission

[@DJDevon3]

Maybe they want you to blow the transmission and take it to a Saturn/GM Dealership for service. Maybe they did a lot of things like that on purpose. Maybe that's why Saturn ISN'T A COMPANY ANYMORE. You can't slap an American sticker on a pile of shit and call it well engineered shit. It doesn't work that way. I like you Jaden, good name, good thoughts. I'm not a Saturn/GM hater or anything like that, I just hate poor engineering and schemes that cost grandma's and mothers unnecessary exorbitant costs to maintain a vehicle, I don't care who the manufacturer is.

[@jadengreene5917]

I totally agree. I don't hate GM, but I really think my car is piece of shit bc something is always wrong and I will never ever buy another Saturn, or any GM car for that matter because i don't have the time and money to waste on costly repairs.

[@BananaChick3nZ]

What is that rubber piece(cap) that's in front of the transmission fluid cap? Thx

[@DJDevon3]

LOU SOBAKEN You mean on top of the transmission next to the fill cap? I have no idea. I only work on this car occasionally I don't know it by heart like I do with my 626.

[@bradysolaem2467]

So I shouldn't do this service ive got the parts already I lifted it with my spare tire jacks one I the front one in the rear

[@fixitfrank78]

The way you determine the unit is full is there is a small bolt that is accessed from under the car, remove this bolt and add fluid until it comes out the open hole.

[@DJDevon3]

Which wastes a lot time and money in the process.

[@fixitfrank78]

I agree, unfortunately that is the way the industry goes. The system that is far worse is on many Ford's, the drain plug its a two stage plug and you fill the transmission by injecting the fluid from under the car through the plug and it is full when the fluid drains from the plug. Oh what fun

[@DJDevon3]

Frank Edwards Yikes that sounds even worse! Who the hell are these people designing this crap? Want to bonk them on the head with a wrench.

[@DJDevon3]

***** You heard him right. Basically open the bolt and pour new ATF in from the top of the engine, if it comes out the leveling port on the bottom then you know the fluid level is correct. Almost the same principle as gear oil for a manual transmission. Waste of fluid and in a dangerous situation for an automatic that has to be running while this happens. Just horrible design.

[@fixitfrank78]

Yes, and the transmission is supposed to be at operating temperature for an accurate check

[@josephdelagarza835]

right on.

[@DJDevon3]

If you mean using a ruler in the ATF fill cap hole then no. Fluid is channeled through there but that's not where the fluid sits. Because of the design of the transmission there is no way to measure it. There certainly could have been a way if it had been designed into the transmission, there is plenty of room for it. If there is some trick to quickly measuring ATF level on this style of transmission then i don't know about it. Keep in mind this is my first encounter with a GM ATF pan.

[@flaxseedoil1000]

Yikes! Glad I have a '95 S Series. Drain plug and spin on filter standard :)

[@Pinky.1.5.1.6]

CT

[@TEXANConnection]

how do you Just check the level?

[@pjschloemer294]

I fully Fucking agree MAN!!! 14:00 on where you say you'll never buy another one! I am with you!

[@hornnightwolf]

DJDevon3 you are right I worked saturn L-series for over 10 year ther are dangers to work and is for not people that don't know.

[@jmueller87]

What’s the proper way to check tranny fluid with car running? Remove bolt on top of pan and wait for it to drop or flow out?

[@fernandomendoza8202]

hey my car works good at the begginning but i run it for a while and the light turns on to check the car and the shift get hard.. can it be that the transmission fluid has to be changed because its dirty?

[@DJDevon3]

+Fernando Mendoza No clue, take it to a mechanic for service.

[@GorrestFummp]

This is exactly the reason I am here as well. Mine does the exact same thing!

[@rogerspradley8743]

Hi man, I couldn't agree with you more! It amazes me how GM has really gone into the gutter with this kinda stuff. I used to like GM until the government bailed them out only for the unions. Not for the employees who were not part of the union. Anyway thanks for the video

[@ShaggyCorman]

It's not as hard as it sounds. The entire tranny holds roughly 12.9 quarts. But since some of it stays in the torque-converter when you drain, the drain/fill amount is roughly 7 quarts. After you get the pan back on, lower the car to the ground and put 7 quarts in it. Start it up and let it idle for about 3 mins. Hold the brake down and shift through each gear, starting in first gear and pausing for about 5 seconds at each gear. Put it in park and leave it running. Jack it back up whiles it's running and use FOUR jack-stands to hold the entire car off the ground. DON'T ever trust a jack to hold a car up while you're under it. Carefully take that plug/bolt out. If some fluid drains out, let it drain and put the plug back in. If nothing comes out, use a step-stool and add a half a quart at a time until fluid comes out. Let the fluid drain until nothing more comes out, tighten the plug/bolt, lower the car to the ground, and you're done. FYI: The torque specs on the pan bolts are 106 inch-pounds. If you over tighten them too much, the gasket may leak, and you'll have to start over..

[@elaineverdin8292]

How to change transmission filter on Saturn Vue 2005?

[@DJDevon3]

Does your Vue have AWD? 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder?

[@Amopower]

For a minute there, i thought this was another Richpin video.

[@DJDevon3]

Exactly. What is the point of measuring if there was a leak. What if there was a leak but it plugged itself with crud along the way so that it permanently ran with low ATF. There's no way to guarantee ATF will be leak free before it rolled into the garage so techs have to ensure it's at the correct level by doing this procedure anyway.

[@anthonytorres4226]

to drain out the fluid faster and safer you should use a fluid evacuator. simply suck out the fluid from the top and then open it up from the bottom change the filter and look at the manual to put back in the right amount of transmission fluid and that's it.

[@DJDevon3]

Do you know for sure that's possible on this one?

[@anthonytorres4226]

***** yes, I did it for a 2003 Saturn l300

[@jadengreene5917]

I believe it is only accessible from the bottom of the car... there is no dipstick (no access from top) Not sure though

[@electroalonso4541]

Goodnight friend. I'm from Panama, the Saturn cars do not exist here, but a co-worker sent him one from the US, and we do not know how to change the transmission oil, but I liked your video but I do not know English, I need to know the amount of oil, and the brand, and the screw that you mention in the video, if it is to know when it is full, it goes out there, write me that I translate it. And thank you very much.

[@DJDevon3]

I'll help you if you help me with the same question. I own a motorcycle from Panama that doesn't exist in the U.S. can you tell me how much oil it needs, what the thread pitch is of the oil cap, where the oil cap is, and what kind of oil it requires?

[@russhumphrey4239]

Dude! Is your L200 still running?

[@mariogonzales2982]

Why would you take it to a GM when it's made by Toyota and the other thing when you change filters you want to put enough fluid for the transmission when you put transmission in that's when you Phil torque converter

[@bradysolaem2467]

Dorman sells drain plug equipped pans on rock auto but they do that for a reason they want you to do the filter ad well and you should if you put all New oil thru N old fikter it will make it lookj n smell like old oil

[@brandenMAN209]

My Saturn runs well but then when I come to an idle every once in awhile I'll hear a low hum and my transmission starts jerking after that.. I'll park the car for a while and it'll start acting normal again

[@rlowle1228]

OR drill a drain hole in the pan and replace the pan with one with a drain plug or just install a drain plug on the old pan.

[@wingnut4427]

So the Saturn L Series takes about a gallon & a half of transmission fluid from what I gather.

[@DJDevon3]

Something like that yeah. I think it's probably closer to 5 or 6 quarts. Check the Haynes manual. I only overfilled it because I didn't see anything come out of the drain port while the car was off. Did that just out of habit as I'm used to doing that while filling gear oil on my manual transmission. Wasn't until I ran the car through the gears that I figured I'd grossly overfilled it. Live and learn. That's what the drain port is there for but the car has to be running in drive for it to work properly.

[@TonyRomeNewMoney]

Some transmissions are "sealed" types and really aren't intended to be opened. They consider the fluid to be lifetime and it will last the life of the transmission. This same set up is found on European makes. A good repair manual would give you a safe process for checking.

[@DJDevon3]

An automotive manufacturer generally considers vehicle lifetime to be 15-20 years. It's not infinite. That's when you should be looking into fluid changes for a transmission that claims to have lifetime fluid. My Saturn is 16 and started exhibiting symptoms of fluid needing to be changed. I changed it and the transmission performs much better now, a world of difference better. Over time impurities make their way into the fluid, microscopic metal fragments that serve as liquid sandpaper. At a point that fluid becomes very abrasive after the magnet overfills with metal debris it only serves to degrade the internals of all components. Any system that uses fluids for either cooling or lubrication will need to be changed out eventually including the human body. For a manufacturer to claim that a fluid will never ever need to be changed is an asinine statement perhaps fueled by a planned obsolescence program. I mean no disrespect to you personally, just the manufacturers that claim such things. My definition of lifetime is different from theirs. My definition of lifetime is MY lifetime not the vehicles. Good luck making a fluid that won't need to be changed once every 60 years. Seems like a ridiculous assertion when I put it in those terms right?

[@jadengreene5917]

If that's the case then I'm fucked. Becsuse my transmission jerks when it changes gears. I drive a '03 Saturn L200. Im going to try changing the fluid, because it is 15 years old now so maybe that will help

[@Naecoym]

@@jadengreene5917 Did you ever get it changed? I have the same car and sometimes it is rough to change gears, but no serious issues. I'm reluctant to change it but it's just reached 100k miles.

[@DJDevon3]

He mostly does S-Series Saturns. I have an L-Series and they are different enough so that we both cover different models. I wish he'd done a video on an L-Series so that I would know how to do it. He does have an ATF video but it's for the S-Series which is COMPLETELY different. The S-Series has a drain bolt, dipstick, and external filter, lucky bastards.

[@dav8388]

its not going to lurch forward with the wheels in the air.

[@DJDevon3]

Would you be willing to bet your life on that assumption? I'll give you a hint, you would be dead. You haven't seen the engine in this vehicle lurch almost a foot when the motor mounts are bad. In other vehicles might not be that much depending on design of the mount system. In this vehicle when the mounts go bad and that engine shifts it has enough weight transfer to displace the vehicle off the jacks. That's why dealership lift systems have pegs to prevent the vehicle from traveling forward off the lift arms. Yes, vehicles can lurch when the wheels are in the air if conditions are right. If they're the right condition on my vehicle then chances are that applies to everyone else too and that's why I didn't finish this video. Conservation of momentum.

[@dav8388]

DJDevon3 I was an auto tech for 10 years. And own one of these cars. and have changed the trans fluid myself. yes the engine may move forward shifting weight, but if you have it supported properly it won't fall off the stands. The lurch you feel when normally driving it is the power being driven through the axles to the wheels. if it's in the air it won't lurch forward cause the tires have nothing to grab to. You won't be under it while you are going through the gears only while it is in park.

[@DJDevon3]

dav8388 It happened to me that's all I can say to you.

[@amyath]

Ford did it too but they have a dipstick.

[@biowolly]

Good advice. The inspection port needs to inspected by a tech on a lift. Too dangerous for DIYer

[@DJDevon3]

+biowolly Thanks

[@codybuller5736]

No better then G.M. lol probably works for them!

[@lgg2304]

Sucks... my 2000 SL has a ATF drain plug.

[@kevinreeves3161]

Man Saturn was owed by Saturn then gm bought them out and it takes out 7 qts the book says manual says 7qts

[@bradysolaem2467]

Thats your big pan. Bro i got a mess pan like 4x6 ft with an inch inch n a half raised lip

[@Greg042869]

Replacement transmission pans have a plug.

[@DJDevon3]

Maybe they do now but that's not enough to save Saturn now.

[@Greg042869]

​@@DJDevon3 They've been defunct since 2010, so I agree. The pan was from an aftermarket manufacturer.

[@kevinreeves3161]

All you do is with car off pull the plug when the fluid runs out it full

[@DJDevon3]

ChargerMiles007 wrote this and I actually deleted it before the "remove" button is right next to the edit button and I clicked on it by mistake. FML. I wasn't trying to edit his post which can't be done by me anyway it's just a habit that I edit my own posts so many times. It's a bad habit that I edit my posts so many times while gathering my thoughts about what to say. Sorry ChargerMiles007 totally didn't do it on purpose.

[@DJDevon3]

***** Personally I agree with what you said about not wanting to have it up on 4 jackstands and crawl 1/2 way under it while it is running. I have run cars jacked up before to diagnose bad CV joints, out of balance or out of round tires. If you slam on the brakes or shift gears the car can indeed lurch and bounce around. It boils down to this, is your life worth risking over this procedure? Unfortunately I have one of these vehicles that could use the trans fluid changed, and I truly appreciate this vid showing me how much of a pain in the ass it would be to do it! This car is my 1st GM, but after doing some work on it, I will indeed think more than twice before I get another used GM. They had better have pulled theirs heads out, or they will just lose more and more customers with hair brained ideas such as no tranny dipstick!!! >:(( Oh, if you think the tranny filter is a joy, wait until the rear suspension bushings wear out, and you baldify rear tires in no time flat, I have an old Corolla with 450,000km on it that handles better than this lumber wagon. Saturn L series was a bad design in many respects, though the car isn't half bad looking. Thanks for the vid!

[@ChargerMiles007]

***** Hey, no problem, it just took me a while to find your response on my Hotmail page.KZbin does some funny things sometimes, I have had a number of problems over the years :) I still need to check the fluid level in my automatic trans, I was going to take it for about a mile long drive to warm the tranny, then jack up the front end to remove the level plug. Then jack it down, put a shallow drip pan under, and remove the fill plug, have someone start the car up, and cycle thru the gears with the brakes on, then let it idle in neutral while I add fluid until it runs out into the pan. Does this sound like it will work? Doing it this way I am not underneath a running car! But I better trust the person manning the brakes!!!My son thinks I am a wimp refusing to be underneath a running car on 4 jackstands, but I look at it this way, I have survived this long, I wouldn't want to bite the bullet over this freakin car, life is too short!!!! My Saturn had a miss when I started it tonight, so I pulled out a spark plug, they were platinum, but 2 of the 4 had the center electrode eroded off! I guess they had a few miles on them!

[@DJDevon3]

ChargerMiles007 I guess that would work but you'd probably be better off asking someone that works on GM's regularly. There are plenty of better people on youtube to ask than me. Good luck.

[@kevinreeves3161]

I can pull the plug and don’t need to jack it up at all

[@waitandbleed66]

NICE STANLEY BLACK CHROMES LOL GOT THE SAME

[@DJDevon3]

I like the Stanley screw driver set but the metal used in the standard Craftsman set is superior. The Stanley tips can break if too much pressure is applied. The Craftsman screwdrivers can take a lot more abuse.

[@waitandbleed66]

***** yeah craftsman stuff is just as good as snap on now adays and wayyyyy cheaper

[@DJDevon3]

waitandbleed66 Not just these days... always. My craftsman screwdriver set is more than 20 years old handed down by my father to me and they still outperform brand new screw drivers. I only use the stanleys on stuff where I don't care if I mess up the screw driver.

[@waitandbleed66]

***** I just recently started using craftsman dad always had snap on don't get me wrong I'd live to have his tools old snap on is awesome but there new stuff is just overpriced for the quality

[@kevinreeves3161]

It so easy I got a car the same one

[@robert1969yankess]

hahahahah' great video..and fuck the people that say you don't know what youre doing' hahahaha.. i hahahahaenjoyed watching this video and i will instead sell my saturn rather than go thru the process you just did., hahaha thankxxx or the video

[@lbyak]

I have one of these hunks of crap, an '02 L300. Since I got, it has cost me money like crazy. Two months after I bought it in '06, my catalytic converter crapped out, along with some other things, and it cost me over $1300 to get it fixed. Many other issues too. Like you said....thumbs down to GM.

[@brandenMAN209]

Looks like you've got two Saturn's in your driveway yet you think they're the worst car in the world haha I'm not going to lie I'm wishing I had a different card right now

[@DJDevon3]

The other gold one is a Mazda 626 which my channel is primarily based upon for automotive repair and maintenance. ;)

[@burntrubberballs]

I fucking hate this car. I'm at the shop now and just feel hopeless. thus thing hard shifts like its trying to be a manual car. and it smokes to high hell.

[@bradysolaem2467]

Oh geez don't be so dramatic hydrochloric acid rofl😹 this car has been dope at 114k with new timing this car has taken a beating by me and it still do pretty good just need service light fix shifts funk sometimes

[@ShaggyCorman]

If you're good with cars and know how to braze; make your own drain plug/bolt on the pan before you put it back on. If you don't know what you're doing, don't attempt it. You can warp the pan if you're not experienced...

[@DJDevon3]

Good idea but it's risky for the DIY'er. Perhaps there is an aftermarket void here worth some companies pursuing. I might actually be interested buying a replacement pan that includes a drain bolt. I'm not going to modify an existing pan for one. Neat idea though.

[@ShaggyCorman]

***** I'm told on a gm forum that there are a couple companies who make them. I really don't know if that's true. If a DIY'er were to attempt it, I recommend going to a junkyard and getting a couple spare pans incase he/she messes up. I believe you can find these pans on certain Aleros, Malibus, Cavaliers, Grand Ams, and Sun Fires made in the same time frame. I'm sure they're pretty inexpensive.

[@DJDevon3]

Kenny Orton Your BS hurts my brain. Get your facts straight and stop making up things that didn't happen. I didn't warp the pan. Yeah I put a little score in the filter bung. That was the only mistake I made but you know what... my viewers are better off for it. If you can make every project go as planned without any mistakes then your viewers aren't going to know what to do when something goes wrong and your videos will paint a ficticious rosey picture of the best case scenario that rarely happens in real life. My videos are educational and people that want to be critical of that are usually the kind that live in the hood selling drugs. People follow my advice because I make good DIY videos and contrary to your ignorant statement I do know what I'm doing. :P

[@DJDevon3]

Kenny Orton If you don't think there's anything wrong with Haynes manuals then you've never used a factory service manual. Ignorance is bliss.

[@amyath]

There's really actually nothing on "L" Series Saturn's on here but simple things. Only "S" Series which is a bunch of BS I think. No one can put an "L" Series on here to show mechanical repairs on these ? That pisses ME off. I had to go out and spend $30 on a shop manual, that's how bad this is for videos on them. There's at least 3 here at my apt building. There's not that many around like you see "S" Series models is total bull if that's the case. Whatever.

[@martind586]

Use a plastic bag lined cardboard box to collect fluid and save 30 minutes!

[@rlowle1228]

OR just measure how much drains out and put that much back. That's what I did and all is fine. Screw you GM.

[@seavil1]

wow no faith in your viewers thumbs down

[@DJDevon3]

I can't judge the competency level of every single viewer of this video. It's because I actually care about my viewers safety which I make abundantly clear. If you repudiate my reasoning then you are exactly the kind of person that I do not want to show the full procedure to.