There is a whining in the drive line how do I add fluid to the transfer case and transmission

Alternate Method:

The V6 automatic transmission requires T-IV fluid. You can get it at the dealer, at a Toyota dealer or use any fluid meeting T-IV specs, such as Valvoline 'Max Life' Dex Merc. The drain plug is on the end of the housing behind the engine. Approx. 4.5 quarts will drain, so that is the fill amount. The dipstick/fill tube is nearly inaccessible - on the front of the housing all the way down. You will have to fabricate a funnel arrangement unless you can find a funnel long enough and small enough to fit it. This drain/fill will get about half the fluid, so you might figure on doing this every year. Check the level hot with the engine running after the trans has been placed in all the gears for a few seconds. Then wait a minute while it idles before checking. I made a dipstick extension by cutting off the button on top of the stick, leaving the 1/4" shaft. I clamped a 3" piece of 1/4" Fuel Vapor hose to the shaft and an 11" piece of 1/4" dowel rod. This works great, but you still have to reach down there and release the spring clip that keeps the dipstick in place. You get better at not getting burned on the exhaust header after a few tries.
The Rear Drive Module (RDM) requires Versatrak fluid, about a quart. Get this at any GM dealer, about $17 a pint. Some guys are using Royal Purple 'Synchromax' instead with no problems. This fluid should be changed every year too.
Engine oil is 5W30. I find Motorcraft synthetic blend to do very well in this engine as well as Mobil-1 'Truck and SUV'. Get the filter at the Saturn dealer and buy at least two at a time.






On my 03 with CVT, there was a drain plug at the bottom and a fill plug about 2/3'ds up the case.

Be sure you arent looking at the oil pan drain plug. Im almost (99.9%) positive there are 2 plugs on this tranny.




Alternate Method:
The V6 automatic transmission requires T-IV fluid. You can get it at the dealer, at a Toyota dealer or use any fluid meeting T-IV specs, such as Valvoline 'Max Life' Dex Merc. The drain plug is on the end of the housing behind the engine. Approx. 4.5 quarts will drain, so that is the fill amount. The dipstick/fill tube is nearly inaccessible - on the front of the housing all the way down. You will have to fabricate a funnel arrangement unless you can find a funnel long enough and small enough to fit it. This drain/fill will get about half the fluid, so you might figure on doing this every year. Check the level hot with the engine running after the trans has been placed in all the gears for a few seconds. Then wait a minute while it idles before checking. I made a dipstick extension by cutting off the button on top of the stick, leaving the 1/4" shaft. I clamped a 3" piece of 1/4" Fuel Vapor hose to the shaft and an 11" piece of 1/4" dowel rod. This works great, but you still have to reach down there and release the spring clip that keeps the dipstick in place. You get better at not getting burned on the exhaust header after a few tries.
The Rear Drive Module (RDM) requires Versatrak fluid, about a quart. Get this at any GM dealer, about $17 a pint. Some guys are using Royal Purple 'Synchromax' instead with no problems. This fluid should be changed every year too.
Engine oil is 5W30. I find Motorcraft synthetic blend to do very well in this engine as well as Mobil-1 'Truck and SUV'. Get the filter at the Saturn dealer and buy at least two at a time.



On my 03 with CVT, there was a drain plug at the bottom and a fill plug about 2/3'ds up the case.
Be sure you arent looking at the oil pan drain plug. Im almost (99.9%) positive there are 2 plugs on this tranny.

SATURN VUE VTI TRANMISSION DEFECTS
Saturn has had numerous problems with the VTI transmissions installed in its VUE. Symptoms include transmission slipping, grinding, smoking, loss of fluid, and total failure of the transmission at freeway speeds. Many customers have had several transmission replacements. In March of 2004 Saturn sent a letter to VUE owners extending the warranty on the transmission to 5 years or 75,000 miles. The extended warranty covers both original and subsequent owners. If you have had multiple repairs, or multiple transmission replacements you may be eligible for a refund. SATURN VUE VTI TRANMISSION DEFECTS Saturn has had numerous problems with the VTI transmissions installed in its VUE. Symptoms include transmission slipping, grinding, smoking, loss of fluid, and total failure of the transmission at freeway speeds. Many customers have had several transmission replacements. In March of 2004 Saturn sent a letter to VUE owners extending the warranty on the transmission to 5 years or 75,000 miles. The extended warranty covers both original and subsequent owners. If you have had multiple repairs, or multiple transmission replacements you may be eligible for a refund.