So I went to the GM dealer and ask them what fluid my TC used. The guy said Auto-Trak II and that's what the manual said, so that's what I used. The stuff is blue and it took about 2qts. Does that sound about right? I'm not sure I got it full and I don't see a way to check it. My truck is a 2004 4x4.

I called the dealer and he said I have the NP1 case. Is the Auto-TrakII the right stuff?

I think you can use synthetic trans fluid. Two quarts through the inspection hole, but may need some research on the amount needed to fill.

There's alot of different opinions on this site as to what type of fluid to use in the transfer case. I use the Auto - trac II and fill it to the bottom of the fill plug. My truck, as we speak, has 233,319 miles. Pump rub fix was the only problem with the transfer case. Charlie

Use syn 5-30 or 5-40 they come stock with dex 3,I filled mine through the sensor hole
but you can just go as high as the fill plug and you will be good

you guys answered a question and other then knowing he had a 2004 4x4, no mention of a 2500HD exxisted. If he has a 1500 he might have Autotrac... Duramax/ Allison, I don't think so.

Signature please.

If your truck is the HD series...the transfer case will take 2 QTS of ATF Dexron III. AutoTrak II is what I use in the Trailblazer LTZ...because it has the "auto-engage" 4HI selection on the dial. HD's will not have this and do not need the expensive AutoTrak fluid. By the same token if your talking about a 1500...then use nothing but AutoTrak II if thats the 4x4 transfer case you have.

The HD's take 2 QTS to the upper fill plug. DO NOT overtighten the plugs in the mag housing. Snug tite is sufficient. The lower plug, if tightened too much, can split the casting across the bottom of the case. Don't ask me how I know this.

You can also add 0.5 or 1 extra quart through the speed sensor hole atop the case. It won't hurt.

Me...I personally use Mobil 1 synthetic 5W30 engine oil in my transfer case. Some rebuilders absolutely recommend this as the ATF is simply not enough lubrication in what is actually a gearbox and not an automatic transmission.

I have the 2500HD Duramax. I already put Auto-Trak II in it will this be OK?

It will be fine it is just a waste of money;)

Thanks KEVINL.

Use syn 5-30 or 5-40 they come stock with dex 3,I filled mine through the sensor hole
but you can just go as high as the fill plug and you will be good

X2 and you have a 263XHD transfer case. Unless you have a floor shift transfer ,then I think it is a 261.

Its a 263XHD.

Moved to M&F

So I went to the GM dealer and ask them what fluid my TC used. The guy said Auto-Trak II and that's what the manual said, so that's what I used. The stuff is blue and it took about 2qts. Does that sound about right? I'm not sure I got it full and I don't see a way to check it. My truck is a 2004 4x4.


The T-case is nothing but chain and gears, with a oil pump inside. The book calls for ATF for our t-cases, and the AutotracII Fluid is misleading when you read the manual.

I use 5W-40 Synthetic oil because the case is nothing more than chain and gears, and I want the best lube possible and after seeing the insides, the Syn. oil is best.

I know that engineers designed the case and are smart and all, but they also have a BIG FLAW with the pump rub, so they are not perfect. I have been a mechanic of some sort on tractors, automobiles, Airplanes and heavy equipment over the last 30 years, so I have seen what works and what don't over the years, so I choose to use the oil.

Also the folks who designed the case, New Process/New Venture also published a article about ATF Burn off and to switch to 5W-30 Synthetic oil, and to put a extra quart in through the speed sensor hole, so even the engineers agree that the oil is better.

This dead horse has been beaten, so do as you wish, but the best answer is just about any oil is better than NO Oil.

Gook luck on your trip!

Also the folks who designed the case, New Process/New Venture also published a article about ATF Burn off and to switch to 5W-30 Synthetic oil, and to put a extra quart in through the speed sensor hole, so even the engineers agree that the oil is better.




That statement is not true

I had no idea that the 2500HD did not call for AutoTrak fluid.

I gather from this thread that the push button 4WD hi/lo option in the 2500HD is not the same case that requires the AutoTrak fluid.

Just saved myself some money then.

Is 5W-30 the preferred viscosity range or what is recommended in the manual?

Thanks in advance.

That statement is not true

What's not true about it? Do you know something we don't?:rolleyes:

Read the first STICKEY at the top of this forum:rolleyes:. That is one man's opinion and did not come from the manufacture

Or better yet here is his opinion http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2007_03.pdf

I have the 2500HD Duramax. I already put Auto-Trak II in it will this be OK?

OK ! ! !

As Tolliwacker said "nothing but chain and gears, with a oil pump inside", so really the important thing is "oil". Seems like they get a little hot, so the weight should be appropriate (like 5w-30). Fancy additive packages probably don't do much for chains and gears, but we'll probably argue about this until everybody gets sick of it.

Besides, the pump rub making a pinhole in the case is what's gonna get you, and for that it just doesn't matter which oil you had in it.

Oh, but just don't put in that darn Dex-VI :p:

I would like to thank everyone for sharing there opinions, experiences and data on this subject. I now believe that Auto-TracII is not the best fluid to use for the way I use my truck. It sounds like it would be OK for some users but may not be the best for extreme applications. As an electronics engineer for a large components design company I deal with design and application issues everyday and it’s difficult to always design for the heavy user. I will be dumping the blue goo and replacing with 3qts of 5W-30 synthetic.

I need tires so it’s on to the tire forum.

Thanks,
Steve

I gather from this thread that the push button 4WD hi/lo option in the 2500HD is not the same case that requires the AutoTrak fluid.

No its not. "AutoTrak" is not a transfer case in physical terms. Its a market name GM gave to its various auto engage 4x4 systems as found on vehicles such as the 1500 series trucks and Trailblazers etc.

AutoTrak is a line of transfer cases that have "clutches" in them that sense rear wheel slip in relation to front wheel speed. A difference indicates that 4x4 is needed and the transfer case is then locked engaging 4x4. Its really a bad idea in my opinion and unnecessary except for lazy soccer moms who don't understand 4x4's. Further I think its dangerous. Many who have AutoTrak are under the delusion that this is the same as All-Wheel Drive. Which is FAR from the truth. Its a conventional 4 wheel drive that chooses when to go from 2H to 4H. Back and forth, back and forth.

I have a Trailblazer LTZ. The transfer case modes are 2HI, 4Auto, 4HI, 4LO. When in 4Auto, the rear wheels can slip (even for a split second) on ice and the rear of the truck can fishtail before the front engages and helps. 4HI is the only mode I run in. If I don't need 4HI then its back to 2HI. 4Auto makes driving on ice too tricky and unpredictable.

The AutoTrak II fluid however is crutial to make this system function properly. No other substitutes available. Nor should any experimentation be attempted. It won't work right.

So pushbutton HI/LO transfer cases (our HD's) are nothing like AutoTrak. Ours are just electronic manual engage or manual-manual engage. You push a button and a shift motor engages 4x4. Or you pull a lever and a cable engages 4x4. Either way...you have to decide. And hopefully decide before the rear wheels start spinning.

No its not. "AutoTrak" is not a transfer case in physical terms. Its a market name GM gave to its various auto engage 4x4 systems as found on vehicles such as the 1500 series trucks and Trailblazers etc.

AutoTrak is a line of transfer cases that have "clutches" in them that sense rear wheel slip in relation to front wheel speed. A difference indicates that 4x4 is needed and the transfer case is then locked engaging 4x4. Its really a bad idea in my opinion and unnecessary except for lazy soccer moms who don't understand 4x4's. Further I think its dangerous. Many who have AutoTrak are under the delusion that this is the same as All-Wheel Drive. Which is FAR from the truth. Its a conventional 4 wheel drive that chooses when to go from 2H to 4H. Back and forth, back and forth.

I have a Trailblazer LTZ. The transfer case modes are 2HI, 4Auto, 4HI, 4LO. When in 4Auto, the rear wheels can slip (even for a split second) on ice and the rear of the truck can fishtail before the front engages and helps. 4HI is the only mode I run in. If I don't need 4HI then its back to 2HI. 4Auto makes driving on ice too tricky and unpredictable.

The AutoTrak II fluid however is crutial to make this system function properly. No other substitutes available. Nor should any experimentation be attempted. It won't work right.

So pushbutton HI/LO transfer cases (our HD's) are nothing like AutoTrak. Ours are just electronic manual engage or manual-manual engage. You push a button and a shift motor engages 4x4. Or you pull a lever and a cable engages 4x4. Either way...you have to decide. And hopefully decide before the rear wheels start spinning.

Great post and thank you.

That statement is not true


OK, I have NOT read the article in quite some time, but MikeL posted a article that shows the ATF burnoff PROBLEM and it recommends to switch to the syn motor oil. I ran a mixture of 1 qt oil with 1 qt. atf before reading the article just to have the extra lube the oil provides and have some red color in there just in case.

The case is nothing but chain and gears none the less, and the engineers that designed it have a flaw, and the oil is better all that is a fact, so I will just say run what you wish, but I KNOW that my 189,000 mile t-case has not run better since I switched to the syn. oil.

Nuff said.............................

I sent GM Customer Assistance Center an email the other day asking them about this issue and here is what they said;

Thank you for contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to write us with regards to your inquiry on what transfer case fluid is recommended for your 2004 2500HD Chevrolet Silverado.

We would like to provide you the most accurate information, using the VIN that you provided; we researched on your inquiry and would like to inform you that the recommended transfer case fluid for your vehicle is DEXRONŽ-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.

So I went to the dealer and showed the guy the email and he looked it up. Then he said it should be ATF, sorry. So he gave me my money back for the blue goo.

OK, I have NOT read the article in quite some time, but MikeL posted a article that shows the ATF burnoff PROBLEM and it recommends to switch

Nuff said.............................

Just trying to keep the facts straight. Hope i didn't P u off. I pass thru Gaskin all the time and was hoping to have u help or do pump rub FIX :D

Want a "fair and balanced", detailed review? Read the sticky.

Want opinions, mythology and rhetoric, keep posting this stupid question over and over and over ...

Just trying to keep the facts straight. Hope i didn't P u off. I pass thru Gaskin all the time and was hoping to have u help or do pump rub FIX :D


Not gonna piss me off, and I am wrong more than right in my life, hell it is amazing I survived this long.

Stop by next time, I will buy you a cold drink of your choice........
of course you will have to take the talk that goes with it.;)

Want a "fair and balanced", detailed review? Read the sticky.

Want opinions, mythology and rhetoric, keep posting this stupid question over and over and over ...


It is improving my typing abilities, you know typing the same thing over and over and over and over agin.....dang! a typo!

Good one, Tolli !