What is the best ATF filter for a 4L60E, M30 transmission?

tonyghkbve · April 17, 2014

I just changed my atf on my 07 Silverado classic for the second time at 54k miles; the first one was performed at around 30k miles. The first was done with a Pro-king filter kit with a damm good gasket material and 5qts of Valvoline DXRN VI full synthetic. Finally, i did my second ATF n filter change today at 54k miles with 5qts Castrol DXRN VI ATF along with a Wix filter and a substandard rubber gasket material that came along with it. The project turned out fine and the gasket before today's ATF change was still intact, no scrapping was needed. Since i will be doing another ATF change shortly and this time I want the BEST filter for my truck and with Castrol ATF again. What is the best ATF Filter for my truck?

DaveH71 · April 18, 2014

Transmission filters are geared more towards flow then they are filtering ability. Trans are a sealed unit and shouldn't have much dirt to filter like an oil filter would. They are there to catch the big stuff like metal pieces or shavings

All trans filters are basically the same. The wix filter you used before is a quality filter and what i would stick with if i were you. That or AC delco.

As long as the gasket is rubber and not a cork material it will be fine. Never been a fan of the cork ones.

tonyghkbve · April 18, 2014

It was a rubber kind of gasket, but not as strong as the one before; the one before was a thicker rubber and had a "marble" like pattern on it. Since Pro-king filters now turn over to "Drive-Works" as sold at Advance auto parts, i am skeptical about their quality. I would maybe go with ACDelco filter for the next change in the next 3,000 miles making my fluid all nice and clean till next 20k miles. Now what was scary is that I put 4.75 qts, drove the truck some till it reached operating temp of 210 and the fluid was slightly below the hot mark. I added very little maybe less than 1/3 quart and the fluid line was right on the money. Now after driving a little longer the fluid now is an inch above the hot line? Should I be concerned? I put 5qts.

efritz · April 18, 2014

They are basically all the same, all imported from China, so I assume that many of them are just re-named. I have used many types and they all basically seem the same. 5 Qts is just fine.

Sir Dan · April 19, 2014

With the 4L60E it better to be a bit over filled than low. A mechanic told me once that running one of these too low on fluid for even a few minutes will fry it. As for the filter and gasket, I've always had good luck w/ ACDelco.

tonyghkbve · April 19, 2014

But for some odd reason when my truck was driven for a long time and i went and checked my atf, the fluid level was reading almost one inch above the full line? Is that normal? I added 4.75 qts first then drove it a for a little while until the temp gauge (engine) reached 210 and the i shifted through the gears for about 3 secs each and then put in park. I left the truck running for a few mins and it was a under the hot cross hatch band. So i added very little and then check it and it was right on the money. So, what that being said, should I be concerned at all if the level is an inch above the hot mark after the truck was driven for a long time?

Sir Dan · April 19, 2014

I'd probably get a hand pump and take a bit out just for piece of mind but I'm kinda anal about oil levels

tonyghkbve · April 20, 2014

I noticed no malfunctions with my truck's transmission shift pattern at all. Everything is fine. In the next 3,000 miles im gonn redo the atf n filter change again with an acdelco filter n felpro gasket and 5 qts of castrol dex 6. But, i will install 4 and 1/2 first then drive it for a while and check the level. If its a below i will top off until it reaches RIGHT ON THE MONEY!

07silver4x4 · April 20, 2014

I installed the dorman pan with the drain bolt two months ago, and today I drained the ATF but less than 4 qts came out. I guess the filter holds/keeps about 1qt from draining out.

Does this sound about right, for those who drain the the system without removing the pan?

txab · April 21, 2014

I installed the dorman pan with the drain bolt two months ago, and today I drained the ATF but less than 4 qts came out. I guess the filter holds/keeps about 1qt from draining out.

Does this sound about right, for those who drain the the system without removing the pan?

Sounds reasonable.

I noticed no malfunctions with my truck's transmission shift pattern at all. Everything is fine. In the next 3,000 miles im gonn redo the atf n filter change again with an acdelco filter n felpro gasket and 5 qts of castrol dex 6. But, i will install 4 and 1/2 first then drive it for a while and check the level. If its a below i will top off until it reaches RIGHT ON THE MONEY!

Why such a short change interval? You're only wasting $$. If you need to lower the level. Disconnect the cooler line and pump out a 1/2 qt, very simple to do. Also, no need to change the filter after 3k. The filter is just a pretty much a simple screen Just buy the pan gasket and be done with it

Are you using the correct procedure for checking the oil level? If it's too hot, you'll get a false, overfull reading

Automatic Transmission Fluid

(Allison Transmission®)

When to Check and Change Automatic

Transmission Fluid

A good time to check your automatic transmission

fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.

Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in

Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine)

on page 621, and be sure to use the transmission

fluid listed in Recommended Fluids and

Lubricants on page 629.

How to Check Automatic Transmission

Fluid

Because this operation can be a little difficult, you

may choose to have this done at the dealership

service department.

If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the

instructions here, or you could get a false reading

on the dipstick.

Notice: Too much or too little fluid can

damage your transmission. Too much can

mean that some of the fluid could come out

and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system

parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid could

cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure to

get an accurate reading if you check your

transmission fluid.

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the

transmission fluid level if you have been driving:

• When outside temperatures are above

90°F (32°C).

• At high speed for quite a while.

• In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.

• While pulling a trailer.

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the

engine running.

2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift

lever in PARK (P).

3. With your foot on the brake pedal, run the

engine for at least once minute and shift to

DRIVE (D). Then shift to NEUTRAL (N) and

then REVERSE ® to fill the hydraulic system.

Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).

4. Allow the engine to run at idle (500–800 rpm).

Slowly release the brake pedal.

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow

these steps:

Cold Check Procedure

The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the

transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely

until a hot check can be made. The fluid level rises

as fluid temperature increases. Do not fill above the

COLD CHECK band if the transmission fluid is

below normal operating temperatures.

1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean

rag or paper towel.

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds

and then pull it back out again.

3. Check the fluid level reading. Repeat the

check procedure to verify the reading.

4. If the fluid level is within the COLD CHECK

band, the transmission may be operated until

the fluid is hot enough to perform a hot

check. If the fluid level is not within the COLD

CHECK band, add or drain fluid as necessary

to bring the level into the middle of the

COLD CHECK band.

5. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity

after the normal operating temperature of

160°F (71°C) to 200°F (93°C) is reached.

6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range,

push the dipstick back in all the way.

07silver4x4 · April 21, 2014

, drove the truck some till it reached operating temp of 210 and the fluid was slightly below the hot mark. I added very little maybe less than 1/3 quart and the fluid line was right on the money. Now after driving a little longer the fluid now is an inch above the hot line? Should I be concerned? I put 5qts.

are you referring to to the engine temprature or ATF temp? Usually it takes along drive to get the ATF up to 210. Make sure the ATF is about 175 when you take a measurment

SarahsGMC · April 21, 2014

I'm wondering why you change your fluid so much

sent from my truck in a field

txab · April 21, 2014

I'm wondering why you change your fluid so much

sent from my truck in a field

tonyghkbve · April 25, 2014

are you referring to to the engine temprature or ATF temp? Usually it takes along drive to get the ATF up to 210. Make sure the ATF is about 175 when you take a measurment

The temp gauge on my instrument cluster, engine temp I believe. My truck DOES NOT come with a ATF temp gauge or any kind of ATF temp indicator.

tonyghkbve · April 25, 2014

Sounds reasonable.

Why such a short change interval? You're only wasting $$. If you need to lower the level. Disconnect the cooler line and pump out a 1/2 qt, very simple to do. Also, no need to change the filter after 3k. The filter is just a pretty much a simple screen Just buy the pan gasket and be done with it

Are you using the correct procedure for checking the oil level? If it's too hot, you'll get a false, overfull reading