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The 6L 50 (and similar 6L 45) is a 6-speed longitudinally-mounted automatic transmission produced by General Motors. It is very similar in design to the larger GM 6L 80 and 6L 90, and is produced at GM Powertrain plants in Toledo, Ohio; Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico; and by the independent Punch Powerglide company in Strasbourg, France.

This transmission features clutch to clutch shifting, eliminating the bands used on older transmission designs. The 6L 50 debuted for the 2007 model year on the V8-powered versions of the Cadillac STS sedan and Cadillac SRX crossover, and replaces the 5L40-E and 5L50 in GM's lineup. The 6L 45 version is used in certain BMW vehicles and the Cadillac ATS, as part of either rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive powertrains.

The 6L 80 (and similar 6L 90) is a six-speed automatic transmission built by General Motors at its Willow Run Transmission plant in Ypsilanti, MI. It was introduced in late 2005, and is very similar in design to the smaller 6L 45 and 6L 50, produced at GM Powertrain in Strasbourg, France.

It features clutch to clutch shifting, eliminating the one-way clutches used on older transmission designs. In February 2006 GM announced that it would invest $500 million to expand the Toledo Transmission plant in Toledo, Ohio to produce the 6L 80 in 2008. Torque rating 6L 80 590 lb⋅ft (800 N⋅m), 6L 90 885 lb⋅ft (1,200 N⋅m) and is adaptable to rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications.

Specifications

Basic concept

A conventional planetary gearset and a compound Ravigneaux gearset is combined in a Lepelletier gear mechanism,[1] to reduce both the size and weight. It was first realized with the 6HP from ZF Friedrichshafen. Like all transmissions realized with Lepelletier transmissions, the 6L also dispenses with the use of the direct gear ratio, making it one of the very few automatic transmission concepts without such a ratio.

It also has the capability to achieve torque converter lock-up on all six forward gears, and disengage it completely when at a standstill, significantly closing the fuel efficiency gap between automatic and manual transmissions.

Technical data

Gear Ratios[a]
Gear
Model
R 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total
Span
Avg.
Step
Compo-
nents
6L 45 MYA
6L 50 MYB
−3.200 4.065 2.371 1.551 1.157 0.853 0.674 6.035 1.433 3
Gearsets
2
Brakes
3
Clutches
6L 80 MYC
6L 90 MYD
−3.064 4.027 2.364 1.532 1.152 0.852 0.667 6.040 1.433
2000: ZF 6HP
ZF 6HP all −3.403 4.171 2.340 1.521 1.143 0.867 0.691 6.035 1.433
  1. ^ Differences in gear ratios have a measurable, direct impact on vehicle dynamics, performance, waste emissions as well as fuel mileage
Features
6L 45 MYA · 6L 50 MYB 6L 80 MYC · 6L 90 MYD
Input Capacity
Maximum engine power 315 bhp (235 kW) 555 bhp (414 kW)
Maximum gearbox torque 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft)
480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft)
800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft)
1,200 N⋅m (885 lb⋅ft)
Maximum shift speed 7,000/min 6,200/min
Vehicle
Maximum Validated Weight
Gross Vehicle Weight · GVW
5,000 lb (2,270 kg)
6,610 lb (3,000 kg)
15,000 lb (6,800 kg)
Maximum Validated Weight
Gross Curb
Vehicle Weight · GCVW
12,500 lb (5,670 kg) 21,000 lb (9,530 kg)
Gearbox
7-position quadrant P · R · N · D · X · X · X[a]
Case material Die cast aluminum
Shift pattern (2) Three-way on/off solenoids
Shift quality Five variable bleed solenoid
Torque converter clutch Variable Bleed Solenoid ECCC
Converter size 240 mm (9.45 in) 258 mm (10.16 in)
Fluid type DEXRON VI
Fluid capacity 9.1 kg with 258 & 300 mm
Available Control Features
Shift Patterns Multiple (Selectable)
Driver Shift Control Tap Up · Tap Down
Shifting Enhanced Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS)
Additional Modes Tow & Haul Mode (Selectable)
Engine Torque Management On All Shifts
Shift Control Altitude & Temperature Compensation
Adaptive Shift Time
Neutral Idle
Reverse Lockout
Automatic Grade Braking
Additional Features
Control OBDII · EOBD
Integral Electro/Hydraulic Controls Module (Tehcm)
Control Interface Protocol – GMLAN
The transmission control module (TCM)
is built into the solenoid pack/housing
Assembly sites GMPT[b] Strasbourg · France
GMPT[b] Toledo · Ohio · USA
GMPT[b] Silao · Mexico
  1. ^ X: available calibratable range position
  2. ^ a b c General Motors Powertrain

Applications

6L 45 MYA

6L 50 MYB

6L 80 MYC

6L 90 MYD

See also

References

  1. ^ Riley, Mike (2013-09-01). "Lepelletier Planetary System". Transmission Digest. Archived from the original on 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  2. ^ Csere, Csaba (March 2012). Dissected: 2013 Cadillac ATS. ISBN 9781858941905. OCLC 38224673. Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-11-21. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "2015 Chevrolet Colorado Specifications". GM. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  4. ^ "Bremach Suv".
  5. ^ "GM Corporate Newsroom - United States - Home". media.gm.com. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
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