Transmission oil/filter change

Jackmroz · August 24, 2014

I have around 106,000 miles on my '08 2500HD vehicle and I was thinking of having the transmission oil and filter changed. I called my local dealer and they advised they only change the oil and not the filter. I called another transmission specialist and they quoted me around $160 to change the oil and around $425 to change the oil AND filter. Is there any reason the cost is so high to change the filter. I called Advance Auto Parts and was told that the filter and gasket for my trucks transmission would cost around $50.

8.1HD/ALLISON · August 24, 2014

Highway robbery. Your dealer doesn't reccomend changing filter? I wouldn't let them touch my truck. Save some $$$ and change yourself.

sdeeter19555 · August 24, 2014

The filter from GM is about $50, and it takes six quarts of fluid. If your gasket is reusable, it takes about an hour to do in the driveway. Most dealers only do a pan drop and filter change...no flushes.

00Silverado4x4 · August 25, 2014

I've done both a friends 2500 and my own 1500 trans filters. It's relatively an easy task to do yourself. As sdeeter19555 said, filter, fluid and about an hour of your time.

Jackmroz · August 25, 2014

Thanks for the reply's guys but I guess I should have explained myself a little better. The $160 price tag for my transmission oil change is a complete machine flush job.

I've just gotten too old to crawl around under my truck, even with ramps, to change the tranny oil. Its part of life when this happens. I've done all my own oil changes since I was 14, but I've reached a point in my life, where everything aches, creeks and groans when I crawl under a vehicle so I now pay to have that work done. Its sad but true...

I guess I don't understand the extreme high price of doing a flush and filter change that one service company wanted to charge. For you guys who have changed your own tranny filter, was it that big of job? How long did it take or were special tools needed to get the filter changed? I'm curious now...

8.1HD/ALLISON · August 25, 2014

No special tools. Sockets, prybar, drain pan, etc.

sdeeter19555 · August 25, 2014

A local garage should be able to complete the job for materials and an hour of labor.

I have heard too many horror stories from machine flushing and would never consider that on my own vehicles.

gmtech4 · August 26, 2014

Thanks for the reply's guys but I guess I should have explained myself a little better. The $160 price tag for my transmission oil change is a complete machine flush job.

I've just gotten too old to crawl around under my truck, even with ramps, to change the tranny oil. Its part of life when this happens. I've done all my own oil changes since I was 14, but I've reached a point in my life, where everything aches, creeks and groans when I crawl under a vehicle so I now pay to have that work done. Its sad but true...

I guess I don't understand the extreme high price of doing a flush and filter change that one service company wanted to charge. For you guys who have changed your own tranny filter, was it that big of job? How long did it take or were special tools needed to get the filter changed? I'm curious now...

flushes only flush money from wallet ,,,,your owners manual does not show a flush as a service needed tp maintain your truck,,,,,

dont do a flush

ujtruck · August 26, 2014

govtech4 +1

Don't hook up to a Flush Machine, just drain and fill - any local garage can do this, no need $160++

02suburbanZ71 · August 27, 2014

Drop pan, check shavings, clean pan, new filter, GM fluid. Thats it

pcf · August 27, 2014

By "flush" do you mean replacing the replacing the fluid in the torque converter using an exchange machine, or draining the transmission and using chemical solvents and high pressure air to "clean" the transmission.

The former, properly done is pretty hard to screw up and replaces fluids ounce for ounce, and you get the benefit of all clean fluid, instead of new mixed with old. The latter, at best is a waste of money and in reality can damage your transmission.

Where ever you go make sure that they are using Dexron VI (6l90e) or Transynd (Allison) out of bottles or whatever you decide is best for your transimission. A lot of places will use a general spec transmission fluid and possibly top treatment to convert it. That saves the shop some money from having to stock umpteen different fluids, but can cost you a lot down the road.