Changing/Flushing Automatic Transmission Fluid

[airitech]

Hey guys, its been about 60,000 miles and i wanna do a change of my transmission fluid.

Its a 2006 gmc sierra 1500 5.3l. I have a few questions, like i have trouble checking the fluid level in the transmission in the first place it says warm it up and sit it on a level surface, but i have no idea when the transmission is warm because i have no transmission temp gauge, so what is the target temperature i need to achieve to test it? Next is should i do a change or a flush? Im firmiliar with both just not on this truck.

Also what type of fluid should i use? And where can i buy the gasket and filter for when i do the change?

 

If you guys can find any tutorials on how to do a flush or just a change on this specific truck thatd be helpful i couldint find any! Thanks in advance.

[kstruckcountry]

If you've been driving for 20 minutes or so it's almost certainly up to temperature.

 

Most people agree a flush is unnecessary. If you change the filter and refill it, you should be good to go.

 

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[airitech]

And when i empty it out, and the trans is cold, do i fill it up to the cold line then heat it up or how do i go about refilling it to the correct amount.

[DaveH71]

Drop the pan - Install new filter - Reinstall pan - add 5 QTS of DEXRON 6 ATF - Drive vehicle for 15 or 20 minutes

 

Leave vehicle running and shift through all gears, waiting a few seconds in every gear then return to PARK.

 

With vehicle still running, pull trans dipstick and check fluid level, add fluid till its in the HOT cross hatch. Truck will take about 6 QTS total.

 

Filter and gasket kit can be picked up at any auto parts store or dealer. Your transmission is a 4l60E.

[sefiroxx]

Verify full when warm, then measure replace what you take out.

 

Never pressure flush.

 

To do a full replace, remove tranny cooler line to the radiator and connect to a hose to a bucket. Run car, add a gallon of fresh, keep running, add a gallon, run until clear atf comes out. Drop pan, replace filter, add done and measure - repeat.

 

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[airitech]

Thank you all so much! Very helpful!

[Colossus]

Flushing the transmission using the transmissions own pump to cycle out the old fluid including what is in the torque converter and replacing it with new fresh fluid will work juuuuuuust fine. Find a good shop that does it this way and you will be glad you did. Cheers.

[Nanotech Environmental]

Verify full when warm, then measure replace what you take out.

 

Never pressure flush.

 

To do a full replace, remove tranny cooler line to the radiator and connect to a hose to a bucket. Run car, add a gallon of fresh, keep running, add a gallon, run until clear atf comes out. Drop pan, replace filter, add done and measure - repeat.

 

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This is essentially what I do- use the trans pump to do a passive flush. However, I don't bother with the pan. Trans filters only catch big things, & don't do much for the fluid itself. If the fluid is kept healthy and the transmission isn't abused, the filter should last a very long time.

Fluid health is by far the most important thing to an auto trans, so it should be fully flushed out and replaced using the trans pump every 60 to 100k miles, depending on how the vehicle is used.

[airitech]

If you've been driving for 20 minutes or so it's almost certainly up to temperature.

 

Most people agree a flush is unnecessary. If you change the filter and refill it, you should be good to go.

 

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Well honestly, the transmission is starting to show some slip from 2-3 shift. There are so many things it could be and i know that, but i wanted to start eliminating some simple things before i pay for a rebuild. As far as i know the fluid was changed at 30,000 miles, now the truck is approaching 100k miles. Fluid levels are good, but it kinda smells burnt. So in my case is a change of the filter and fluid good enough to eliminate worn out fluid for being a cause?