I've got a 2017 Chevy Spark that's coming up on 45,000 miles so it's time to change the transmission fluid and filter. My owner's manual basically says bring it to the dealer but Scotty said that's a bad idea because the Spark is the only Chevy car with a CVT. I've been doing a ton of research because there's not a lot of media about changing the fluid on this car and I've discovered that there's a mesh filter in the pan and a cartridge filter in the side. Which one do I change, or do I change both?
If you cannot do the job yourself you don't want to be stuck halfway and then call it for a tow. I found a link for 2013. Should be similar procedure.
As for the external filter... Never have I ever had to change one of those. I always knew it was there on some cars but was told to never touch it. I dug into the ford forms and they said that those filters are only for large chunks of debris. Which is like okay... So if engine explode,.. change filter? Lol maybe someone more qualified can enlighten me. As far as mine go I've only had to change the one inner filter.
Being a 2017 there might be an electrical procedure as well which is why the book might say bring to dealer. There might be need of a proprietary scan tool like a benz with their trans filter. Had to replace it and then haul it over to them to "program" the car to accept the new one.
Link for 2015 chevy form.
https://chevysparkforum.com/topic/5171-2015-cvt-drain-and-refill/
Hope this info isn't what you found already. And if you don't trust your dealer, go find a chevy dedicated shop whom can probably tell you more info with pro-demand or some other software.
