Differential Fluid: Special Edition Question

[CamaroFemme]

So because of Camaro5, I go to my local fluid-change establishment and tell them that although my car only has 19,000 miles, the differential fluid has been showing up very dirty amongst members of the fifth-gen Camaro Forum (yes, that was THE Fifth-Gen Camaro Forum) and could they change it. The tech stated they could but it might be a warranty violation(!) to do so, and to contact GMAC customer support. 3 emails later, they still haven't called me like they assured me they would. Seems like a lot of rigmarole to change out some fluid. Imagine the hassle if you had to do this for an oil change.

So. Question.

Are they right and is it a warranty violation for another establishment to change out the fluid?

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

So because of Camaro5, I go to my local fluid-change establishment and tell them that although my car only has 19,000 miles, the differential fluid has been showing up very dirty amongst members of the fifth-gen Camaro Forum (yes, that was THE Fifth-Gen Camaro Forum) and could they change it. The tech stated they could but it might be a warranty violation(!) to do so, and to contact GMAC customer support. 3 emails later, they still haven't called me like they assured me they would. Seems like a lot of rigmarole to change out some fluid. Imagine the hassle if you had to do this for an oil change.

So. Question.

Are they right and is it a warranty violation for another establishment to change out the fluid?

The key is using the correct fluid that is shown on the tag and documentation. It can void the warranty if the wrong fluid is used.

[CamaroFemme]

That's what I THOUGHT, but this place seemed downright SKITTISH.

Okay, so, bottom line: warranty intact as long as correct fluid is used?

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

That's what I THOUGHT, but this place seemed downright SKITTISH.

Okay, so, bottom line: warranty intact as long as correct fluid is used?

Yes.

Straight from the manual.

"Rear Differential Fluid 75W-90 Limited Slip (GM Part No. 89021677
and Friction Modifier 1052358, in Canada 89021678 and
Friction Modifier 992694)."

Also Mobil1 75w-90 LS is the same as the GM stuff. In fact if go to the parts section and give them that parts number, some dealers will give you a bottle of Mobil1 75w-90 LS.

[rydahog]

If you use the wrong fluid its no go on the warranty..but you CAN change it yourself, as others have posted, or get a place to do it. Keep receipts..
As similar situation occured many,many years ago, HD..(motorcycles) was trying to tell owners of their bikes that you could use ONLY hd oil....well some woman rider took them to court for this..and the court ruled in her favor..saying words to the effect...If you are going to require the consumer the use ONLY your product (oil) in order to keep their warranty in tack, then you have to SUPPLY the oil for FREE!
They (HD) dropped the requirement.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by BeckyD@RodgersChevrolet

The key is using the correct fluid that is shown on the tag and documentation. It can void the warranty if the wrong fluid is used.

I believe it's also stated in literature that fluids like diff and transmission are "lifetime" fills from the factory under normal driving conditions. At face value that could be misinterpreted as "don't change".

[rtcat600man]

Originally Posted by rydahog

If you use the wrong fluid its no go on the warranty..but you CAN change it yourself, as others have posted, or get a place to do it. Keep receipts..
As similar situation occured many,many years ago, HD..(motorcycles) was trying to tell owners of their bikes that you could use ONLY hd oil....well some woman rider took them to court for this..and the court ruled in her favor..saying words to the effect...If you are going to require the consumer the use ONLY your product (oil) in order to keep their warranty in tack, then you have to SUPPLY the oil for FREE!
They (HD) dropped the requirement.

Similiar stories for snowmobile manufactures, that use to require only their oil to be used in the engine. Now you just need to use an appropriate equivalent.

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I believe it's also stated in literature that fluids like diff and transmission are "lifetime" fills from the factory under normal driving conditions.
At face value that could be misinterpreted as "don't change".

You are correct.

[el ess A]

[96/10SS]

what about if you use royal purple with the modifier already in there? does tht void the warranty?

[Redemption]

Originally Posted by 96/10SS

what about if you use royal purple with the modifier already in there? does tht void the warranty?

I dont think Royal P is on the "GM list"

Plus, their modifiers made my diff chatter. Dumped it out and ran Mobil 1 with GM modifiers, and the problems went away,

[mtcwby]

Originally Posted by 96/10SS

what about if you use royal purple with the modifier already in there? does tht void the warranty?

No it won't void the warranty. The Chevy dealer in Loveland, CO that changed my diff fluid used Royal Purple MaxGear, right out of their parts room.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by mtcwby

No it won't void the warranty. The Chevy dealer in Loveland, CO that changed my diff fluid used Royal Purple MaxGear, right out of their parts room.

The dealer doesn't have a say when it comes to voiding a warranty. With that said, Royal Purple is NOT on GM's list of approved lubricants. If GM decides to test the lubricant (which they have been known to do in cases of failures) and finds Royal Purple in the rear diff. GM will deny the warranty claim even if your dealer put the lubricant in there.

[68blk/yel396]

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

Are they right and is it a warranty violation for another establishment to change out the fluid?

I had my dealer check mine at 10K and it was dirty, so they recommended it to be changed. I agreed. Kinda hard to get into a warranty issue if you approach the problem this way and have the dealer involved.

Bottom line................if it dirty you want it changed. Some members of our Camaro club had theirs checked and the fluid was clear. More had it checked by dealers and had it replaced due to the darkened appearance, like me.