Change Transmission Fluid?

[gmyeah]

I have a 2008 Sierra z71 ext cab 4x4 1500. Great truck...i bought it new and plan on keeping it for the long haul. GM recommends at 100K to perform a transmission flush. not sure if this the right way to go or not, but I was going to change mine at 50K since i use my truck a lot. I think I'm one of those rare birds who is between needing a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton. So to say the least, i use this truck. I tow and haul with it pretty regularly and was wondering what the thoughts were on how often folks change it. A local dealer is offering a $189. tranny flush using BG Transmission Services/Products. Not sure if this is a good deal or what.

Thanks. Unrelated, but the only major changes I've made to it are installing a set of Super springs in back and a 1-1/2 leveling kit in front. The super springs help out a great deal in back with payload.

[cghbuilder86]

I also use supersprings on my 1/2 ton. I got the light/med. duty ones and use the tighter bolt hole on the rear. I like 'em pretty good. I get the dealership to service my tranny every 50K. Can't remember what it runs exact but it's less than what you quoted above.

[the hammer]

Flush it homie. I do mine every 30k, and they run around $129 if i remember correctly. $189 is a lot.

[Black02Silverado]

Smart move to have your transmission serviced now and not wait until the 100k. That sound high for the service. Might want to call around. This is something that you can handle yourself if you want to. Not hard to do and it can save you some $$$ since all you would pay for is the transmission filter and fluid.

[gmyeah]

Smart move to have your transmission serviced now and not wait until the 100k. That sound high for the service. Might want to call around. This is something that you can handle yourself if you want to. Not hard to do and it can save you some $$$ since all you would pay for is the transmission filter and fluid.

 

 

good call and thanks for the advice. That 189 was the first quote i got and it just happened to be with a local dealer. I thought it was high as well. I'll start looking around or do it myself. The only reason I was a bit concerned on doing it myself was making sure I got it completely flushed. As I recall there's a huge concern on dislodging that gunk and not getting it completely out. Then you add the fluid, which has detergents in it, it works a bit over the next few weeks and it dislodges more gunk than was previously in the filter to begin with...causing tranny issues. I guess the flushes that folks provide should be avoided in leiu of dropping the pan completely and replacing the filter, etc? little concerned that folks might be better off leaving this alone? althought mine only has ~50k on it, so hopefully changing it is a good thing. i hear too many stories on how people's tranny are worse off after a change?

[gmyeah]

I have a 2008 Sierra z71 ext cab 4x4 1500. Great truck...i bought it new and plan on keeping it for the long haul. GM recommends at 100K to perform a transmission flush. not sure if this the right way to go or not, but I was going to change mine at 50K since i use my truck a lot. I think I'm one of those rare birds who is between needing a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton. So to say the least, i use this truck. I tow and haul with it pretty regularly and was wondering what the thoughts were on how often folks change it. A local dealer is offering a $189. tranny flush using BG Transmission Services/Products. Not sure if this is a good deal or what.

Thanks. Unrelated, but the only major changes I've made to it are installing a set of Super springs in back and a 1-1/2 leveling kit in front. The super springs help out a great deal in back with payload.

 

So, I've done some more homework, but not sure I like the result. There seems to be a few camps out there. One says don't worry about it, your truck's tranny is good until 100K, and the other camp says change it at 50K and there won't be that buildup that might break free and cause problems after the tranny fluid is changed. Any thoughts on this? I've worked my truck, but I don't want to make it much worse or short lived.

 

Also, I got some quotes on the tranny fluid change. The cheapest I could find was $140. And that didn't drop the pan or change the filter. The dealer wants $190.....$350 if I drop the pan and get the full service (filter, gasket, etc.). I did some more homework and a reptubale tranmission shop will do it all for $250.

I've heard bad things about the whole "flush only" service too....that I would be getting for $140. What's best to do? Should I drop the pan?

 

Keep in mind....it's a 2008 z71 4x4 ext cab 1500....for reference.

[Ryan00TJ]

Have it flushed as it gets all the old fluid out and new fluid in. I take the extra step and drop the pan and change the filter also at this time. It's nothing but cheap insurance. Why flush new fluid thru an old filter?

[ERIE_ONE]

Severe service calls for it at 50k on my truck. I am going to have it done at 50k with a filter swap. On the Fords they just have a metal screen so there is no "filter" and I think that information is whats getting mixed up with the filter changes. I've never had it done without a filter change. I've also never had any bad experiences at 50k intervals. The flush price doesn't seem too high but the filter swap does IMO, but I haven't done one on these trucks so.......