Servicing The Transmission

emerson1 · February 4, 2011

I bought my 2008 Silverado certified used back in May when it was at 48,000 miles. Would the dealership have gone through and serviced the transmission, or done any of the other high mileage maintenance? I am at 56K right now. Should I speed to the shop and get this done right away?

tanked_darren · February 4, 2011

Just throwing this out there.

What do the records show?

TexasAl · February 4, 2011

Definitely not. The transmission does not "require" any service until 100K miles. Even then, most dealerships are not going to take on the expense of servicing a vehicle.

tanked_darren · February 4, 2011

might I add severe duty would be half of that, and THAT should be the recomended interval...

ChevyTech77 · February 4, 2011

No, service other than an oil change, would not have been done because it would have been assumed that it was not used for severe service meaning that it isn't do for a trans flush until 100k.

Mine gets flushed at least every 50k if not sooner.

emerson1 · February 4, 2011

Ah thank you! It's a Texas Edition, so I imagine it wasn't put through to hard of a life so far. Glad I didn't just go ahead and do this.

So I am good for a while aside from the usual filling up of fluids and oils?

emerson1 · April 23, 2011

I'm gonna hit 60,000 in probably a month. Is there anything that needs to be done? I know last time I got the free 24 point inspection a couple months ago they had a few things listed. Transmission service and rear differential are the two that I remember. I know I don't need the transmission yet, but is there anything else that NEEDS to be done soon? I know these dealers like to service stuff more often then needed at an overpriced rate, so I don't trust their recommendations. I would be taking it to a local transmission shop.

Again I wasn't given any records, so I don't know what was done with the previous owner. Thanks for any help!

plowking · May 2, 2011

I just had mine done around the 25000 mark,I tow and the truck is over 8600 gvw. The manual states that the fluid needs changing at 25000 miles except for the lower gvw vehicles not considered severe duty. Those vehicles can wait until 50000 miles. I had trannie work done because of a TSB on 6L90E seal leaks [ hard shifting first thing in the morning]so trannie fluid was done then. My son in law works at an auto repair,he says if a trannie goes for too many miles without fluid changes,flushes ,it may not be a good idea to flush, the stuff that gets dislodged can cause problems inside transmission. plowking

Nytemare · May 2, 2011

I'm gonna hit 60,000 in probably a month. Is there anything that needs to be done? I know last time I got the free 24 point inspection a couple months ago they had a few things listed. Transmission service and rear differential are the two that I remember. I know I don't need the transmission yet, but is there anything else that NEEDS to be done soon? I know these dealers like to service stuff more often then needed at an overpriced rate, so I don't trust their recommendations. I would be taking it to a local transmission shop.

Again I wasn't given any records, so I don't know what was done with the previous owner. Thanks for any help!

Trans service likely means a filter change...not a full flush and fill. You should get that done...a lot of places are cheaper than the dealer though...if your half handy at all you can do it in the driveway.

Rear diff, its cheap insurance, your looking at about 100 bones to do both....Check the brakes, Oil...if its time...have the coolant checked...its an 08, so its over half the expected life of Dexcool... (5 years..or that used to be the life) A quick test with a hygrometer and some litmus paper will tell you if its time to change it. Catch some of the trans oil when your doing the filter change, have it sent off for lab testing...its not expensive...in the 25 dollar range...they will let you know its real life expectancy and how much its currently worn.

Everything in the truck...aside from engine oil and maybe diff oil is expected to last 100K....as long as you change the filter in the trans at 50K...ish intervals...I believe it is.

emerson1 · May 2, 2011

Trans service likely means a filter change...not a full flush and fill. You should get that done...a lot of places are cheaper than the dealer though...if your half handy at all you can do it in the driveway.

Rear diff, its cheap insurance, your looking at about 100 bones to do both....Check the brakes, Oil...if its time...have the coolant checked...its an 08, so its over half the expected life of Dexcool... (5 years..or that used to be the life) A quick test with a hygrometer and some litmus paper will tell you if its time to change it. Catch some of the trans oil when your doing the filter change, have it sent off for lab testing...its not expensive...in the 25 dollar range...they will let you know its real life expectancy and how much its currently worn.

Everything in the truck...aside from engine oil and maybe diff oil is expected to last 100K....as long as you change the filter in the trans at 50K...ish intervals...I believe it is.

I looked at my latest thing from the 27 point inspection and this is what is listed

Flush cooling system
differential service
rotate tires
pack rear wheel brgs
maint tune-up
Transmission Service
Pack pri whl bearing
lube chasis
30,000 mile service

Nytemare · May 4, 2011

Trans service likely means a filter change...not a full flush and fill. You should get that done...a lot of places are cheaper than the dealer though...if your half handy at all you can do it in the driveway.

Rear diff, its cheap insurance, your looking at about 100 bones to do both....Check the brakes, Oil...if its time...have the coolant checked...its an 08, so its over half the expected life of Dexcool... (5 years..or that used to be the life) A quick test with a hygrometer and some litmus paper will tell you if its time to change it. Catch some of the trans oil when your doing the filter change, have it sent off for lab testing...its not expensive...in the 25 dollar range...they will let you know its real life expectancy and how much its currently worn.

Everything in the truck...aside from engine oil and maybe diff oil is expected to last 100K....as long as you change the filter in the trans at 50K...ish intervals...I believe it is.

I looked at my latest thing from the 27 point inspection and this is what is listed

Flush cooling system
differential service
rotate tires
pack rear wheel brgs
maint tune-up
Transmission Service
Pack pri whl bearing
lube chasis
30,000 mile service

Where the hell did you get that...wheel bearings haven't been packable in like 20 years...like the last vehicle I packed wheel bearings on was a K-Car.

You do not flush the coolant at 30K....that was old green coolant

you don't tune up your truck until 100K miles....thats when you change the plugs...and maybe the wires...

Diff's get serviced at 50K...maybe longer

Trans service is a filter change...not a full flush and fill

I'd go to a different Garage if I were you....that list is 20 years out to lunch.

emerson1 · May 4, 2011

Trans service likely means a filter change...not a full flush and fill. You should get that done...a lot of places are cheaper than the dealer though...if your half handy at all you can do it in the driveway.

Rear diff, its cheap insurance, your looking at about 100 bones to do both....Check the brakes, Oil...if its time...have the coolant checked...its an 08, so its over half the expected life of Dexcool... (5 years..or that used to be the life) A quick test with a hygrometer and some litmus paper will tell you if its time to change it. Catch some of the trans oil when your doing the filter change, have it sent off for lab testing...its not expensive...in the 25 dollar range...they will let you know its real life expectancy and how much its currently worn.

Everything in the truck...aside from engine oil and maybe diff oil is expected to last 100K....as long as you change the filter in the trans at 50K...ish intervals...I believe it is.

I looked at my latest thing from the 27 point inspection and this is what is listed

Flush cooling system
differential service
rotate tires
pack rear wheel brgs
maint tune-up
Transmission Service
Pack pri whl bearing
lube chasis
30,000 mile service

Where the hell did you get that...wheel bearings haven't been packable in like 20 years...like the last vehicle I packed wheel bearings on was a K-Car.

You do not flush the coolant at 30K....that was old green coolant

you don't tune up your truck until 100K miles....thats when you change the plugs...and maybe the wires...

Diff's get serviced at 50K...maybe longer

Trans service is a filter change...not a full flush and fill

I'd go to a different Garage if I were you....that list is 20 years out to lunch.

That is straight off the 27 point inspection sheet under recommended services from the dealer. Forgot I had my tires rotated when I got this list, so it looks like I don't need anything done except to squeeze them out of money for minor bumper to bumper fixes before my warranty is up.

Nytemare · May 4, 2011

Trans service likely means a filter change...not a full flush and fill. You should get that done...a lot of places are cheaper than the dealer though...if your half handy at all you can do it in the driveway.

Rear diff, its cheap insurance, your looking at about 100 bones to do both....Check the brakes, Oil...if its time...have the coolant checked...its an 08, so its over half the expected life of Dexcool... (5 years..or that used to be the life) A quick test with a hygrometer and some litmus paper will tell you if its time to change it. Catch some of the trans oil when your doing the filter change, have it sent off for lab testing...its not expensive...in the 25 dollar range...they will let you know its real life expectancy and how much its currently worn.

Everything in the truck...aside from engine oil and maybe diff oil is expected to last 100K....as long as you change the filter in the trans at 50K...ish intervals...I believe it is.

I looked at my latest thing from the 27 point inspection and this is what is listed

Flush cooling system
differential service
rotate tires
pack rear wheel brgs
maint tune-up
Transmission Service
Pack pri whl bearing
lube chasis
30,000 mile service

Where the hell did you get that...wheel bearings haven't been packable in like 20 years...like the last vehicle I packed wheel bearings on was a K-Car.

You do not flush the coolant at 30K....that was old green coolant

you don't tune up your truck until 100K miles....thats when you change the plugs...and maybe the wires...

Diff's get serviced at 50K...maybe longer

Trans service is a filter change...not a full flush and fill

I'd go to a different Garage if I were you....that list is 20 years out to lunch.

That is straight off the 27 point inspection sheet under recommended services from the dealer. Forgot I had my tires rotated when I got this list, so it looks like I don't need anything done except to squeeze them out of money for minor bumper to bumper fixes before my warranty is up.

All I gotta say is WOW....

Just WOW.....

There's a lot of people that would follow that recommendation too is the worst part...Hell, your truck has an Oil Life Monitor, they cant say at 30K you need your oil changed....you may not need it until 37K.

You may need to put the summer air in your tires and swap your high speed muffler bearing too....Holy Crap...I cant believe a dealership gave you that list man....thats such BS...the list I mean...not what your saying.

donaldsharpeusaf · July 20, 2011

Trans service likely means a filter change...not a full flush and fill. You should get that done...a lot of places are cheaper than the dealer though...if your half handy at all you can do it in the driveway.

Rear diff, its cheap insurance, your looking at about 100 bones to do both....Check the brakes, Oil...if its time...have the coolant checked...its an 08, so its over half the expected life of Dexcool... (5 years..or that used to be the life) A quick test with a hygrometer and some litmus paper will tell you if its time to change it. Catch some of the trans oil when your doing the filter change, have it sent off for lab testing...its not expensive...in the 25 dollar range...they will let you know its real life expectancy and how much its currently worn.

Everything in the truck...aside from engine oil and maybe diff oil is expected to last 100K....as long as you change the filter in the trans at 50K...ish intervals...I believe it is.

I looked at my latest thing from the 27 point inspection and this is what is listed

Flush cooling system
differential service
rotate tires
pack rear wheel brgs
maint tune-up
Transmission Service
Pack pri whl bearing
lube chasis
30,000 mile service

Where the hell did you get that...wheel bearings haven't been packable in like 20 years...like the last vehicle I packed wheel bearings on was a K-Car.

You do not flush the coolant at 30K....that was old green coolant

you don't tune up your truck until 100K miles....thats when you change the plugs...and maybe the wires...

Diff's get serviced at 50K...maybe longer

Trans service is a filter change...not a full flush and fill

I'd go to a different Garage if I were you....that list is 20 years out to lunch.

That is straight off the 27 point inspection sheet under recommended services from the dealer. Forgot I had my tires rotated when I got this list, so it looks like I don't need anything done except to squeeze them out of money for minor bumper to bumper fixes before my warranty is up.

All I gotta say is WOW....

Just WOW.....

There's a lot of people that would follow that recommendation too is the worst part...Hell, your truck has an Oil Life Monitor, they cant say at 30K you need your oil changed....you may not need it until 37K.

You may need to put the summer air in your tires and swap your high speed muffler bearing too....Holy Crap...I cant believe a dealership gave you that list man....thats such BS...the list I mean...not what your saying.

All I can say is "WOW" (like everybody else)... They are soaking folks. I just got an estimate for my 1995 Chevy Police Car from my local dealer. I had a check engine light on, so I I took it to the machine. They say I need a new Mass Airflow Sensor. They quoted me $400 parts and labor. I laughed out loud at the guy, and he began to explain how their parts were so much better. I laughed out loud again. This is a 16 yo car....

wavery · July 20, 2011

My experience as a Dealership Service Manager tells me, "Never power flush a transmission". I've seen a lot of trans failures right after a trans flush. We pulled our flush machines out years ago.

You can safely replace all of the fluid in the trans with the following technique (it may require a helper):

Pull the pan and clean it. Change the filter, replace the pan Using a new gasket) and fill with the proper ATF for your vehicle (preferably synthetic). Don't start the engine.

Take off the return trans cooler line that goes to the radiator. Clamp a 3' piece of 3/8" hose to that line and put the other end into a clear 2L soft drink bottle that is pre-marked at the 1qt level.

Have a helper start the engine and let it idle until 1qt of old ATF is pumped into the bottle (approx 10-seconds), then turn off the engine. Add 1qt of ATF to the trans and dump the ATF that is in the bottle. Repeat this procedure about 5-6 more times or until the ATF going into the bottle changes color to the new ATF color.

This procedure will replace the 5-6 qts of fluid that are in the torque converter without having to use a power flush machine.

*****NOTE....... If you don't know which of the 2-lines to the radiator is the return line, start the engine (cold) and let it idle for ~10 minutes. Feel the 2 lines. One will be hotter than the other. The hotter one is the return line from the trans to the radiator. That's the one that you want to use.