2009 Chevy Malibu (3.6 liter w/ 6 speed trans), 77,000 miles. Trans fluid change, what do you recommend to have done (flushing trans is not an option)?

I downloaded the owners manual for 2009 Malibu http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Ownership/Manuals%20and%20Videos/02_pdf/2009_chevrolet_malibu_owners.pdf ..and Chapter 6 Page 6 shows change ATF @ 50,000 and 100,000 miles severe service only. Otherwise not. Severe service is if you pull a trailer at max. capacity a lot, tax it like that. I have been preaching the evils of transmission flushes for years...no need to convince you though. It's just a very high profit procedure.

Don't do a machine power flush because of debris backwash. American cars have no drain plug for a reason - to Force you to unbolt the pan, check for debris, and change the filter. You can then flush the torque converter by unscrewing the hot Trans cooler line and running the car while pouring in new ATF.

When changing the Trans oil on your 6 speed transmission you have no choice but to flush the transmission to do the job properly. The new 6 speed transmissions do not have a conventional filter but instead have a mechanical filter that can only be cleaned by flushing the tranny. Always take your car to a chevy dealer to have this procedure done as they can perform the procedure properly and at a cheaper rate. My 2009 Chevy Malibu has 400,000 KM on it and I've never had a problem with the transmission, I've taken it to mr. transmission and it cost 50% more then the dealer. The reason it is so important to change the oil is that over time oil breaks down loseing its lubrication properties and actually becomes acidic.