What are the steps for replacing the transmission fluid in a Cadillac CT6?
2 Answers
Cadillac CT6 transmission fluid replacement uses the circulation machine method. The circulation method is more thorough but consumes more transmission fluid compared to the gravity method. The circulation machine method involves adding new transmission fluid into the machine, connecting the transmission and the circulation machine via pipe interfaces, and using hydraulic pressure to push out the old fluid with the new fluid. This method cleans the fluid passages more thoroughly. More details are as follows: 1. Currently, there are three mainstream methods for replacing automatic transmission fluid. The first is similar to changing engine oil, where the transmission drain plug is loosened to drain and refill the fluid. The second involves directly removing the oil pan to drain and refill the fluid. The third is the more advanced circulation machine method for replacing automatic transmission fluid. 2. The traditional gravity drain method cannot 'completely' replace the transmission fluid, while the circulation machine method effectively addresses this shortcoming. The traditional gravity method, which involves manually draining the fluid by loosening the drain plug at the bottom of the transmission or removing the transmission oil pan, can only replace about half of the old fluid. This not only fails to replace the fluid thoroughly but also easily contaminates the new fluid. 3. The circulation machine method uses specialized equipment to generate pressure and dynamically replace the fluid in the transmission's lubrication and cooling lines. This process takes longer but has the advantage of being more thorough, removing over 95% of the old fluid and cleaning out sludge and metal particles from the automatic transmission. With this method, the fluid replacement interval can be extended up to 60,000 kilometers.
I remember very clearly the time I changed the transmission fluid for my Cadillac CT6. At first, I thought it would be an easy job. I prepared wrenches, a fluid pump, and the original Dexron VI fluid—pricey but built to last. After the car cooled down, I lifted it on the jack stands to ensure stability and got a helper to steady the jack, just in case. When I unscrewed the drain plug at the bottom of the engine, the old fluid gushed out, black and pungent—gloves were a must to avoid burns. While checking the filter screen, I noticed some clogging and cleaned it right away; otherwise, the new fluid would’ve been wasted. I used the pump to slowly refill the fluid to prevent air bubbles, then started the engine to warm it up and checked the dipstick—clear fluid meant the job was done. The whole process took two hours. Newbies might fumble, so I’d recommend watching tutorials or asking experienced mechanics to avoid transmission issues affecting acceleration. Remember, regular fluid changes extend your car’s lifespan—especially for a precision system like the CT6’s. Don’t cut corners with quick shops.
