Transmission Oil Change / Flush Question

[Guy_Witha_Truck]

Good morning guys,
 

Obviously I'm new to the forums, so thank you in advance for your understanding! A little background on my situation -- I always make sure to maintain my vehicle to the best of my ability (both proactively and within my financial budget), but my Chevy Silverado just hit it's 75,000 mile mark with no previous transmission fluid maintenance.

 

2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 (Standard Work Vehicle)

Pre-Certified with 3,008 miles on it, pretty much brand-new -- Purchased in Oct, 2013

4.3 Liters V6 Engine

75,600 miles currently

 

The only thing it's ever towed is the smallest Uhaul for about 600/miles, and sod back in the day. For the past couple of years I've only driven it to and from work (50 miles round trip in city/highway), but for the most part this past year my new place of employment is super close, so that dwindled to around 25 miles round-trip.

 

I've only ever replaced the engine oil and filter regularly, and tires a year ago, so when it comes to how I should maintenance the transmission oil, that's a bit foreign to me unfortunately. I've heard if you make it passed 70k with no issues, it's not wise to flush it out entirely, but more so the 50/50 (old/new) method? I would like some advice from you tenured vets on this, and to see if I should take it to the Chevy dealer or a transmission specialist?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

[txab]

You're going to get every opinion in the world. You can change out the fluid, not by using a flushing machine but by removing a few qts at a time and refilling until fluid comes out clean. You could drop the pan as a part of the is procedure and change the filter. (Many differing opinions on a filter change as well). Plenty of videos demonstrate this fluid exchange process

You could do a pan drop and filter change, replacing around 5 qts or so in the pan, run some miles and do just a pan drop with fluid exchange a regular schedule.

 

I would have no worries doing either method in your case

 

Plenty of reading for ya':

 

https://www.google.com/search?lr=&hl=en&as_qdr=all&ei=eXO1W4qqOZGctAXTlaToAQ&q=transmission+fluid+change+flush+site%3Awww.gm-trucks.com&oq=transmission+fluid+change+flush+site%3Awww.gm-trucks.com&gs_l=psy-ab.12...409519.411621..414159...0.0..0.63.354.6......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.SPcNvENI-3w

 

https://www.google.com/search?lr=&hl=en&as_qdr=all&ei=mHW1W8mOB8ygtQX4mpKoCQ&q=transmission+fluid+change+site%3Awww.gm-trucks.com&oq=transmission+fluid+change+site%3Awww.gm-trucks.com&gs_l=psy-ab.12...24580.29309..32539...0.0..0.89.739.11......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.3VVPigemA14

 

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/search/

 

 

You can do your own search of the site as well.

 

Let the beating of the dead horse begin.........   

[DougFL]

The way my Dealer Flushed the 8 speed on my 2016: 

 

1)Drop the pan to Drain the fluid and change filter

2) Add new fluid and bring transmission to operating temperature.

3) Repeat steps 1 and 2

4) Repeat steps 1 and 2

 

Fortunately this was done under warranty because there was a charge to GM of almost $300 just in synthetic transmission fluid not including filters and Labor!  I dropped my Truck off at 8:00 am  and it was not ready until 1:00 pm the Next Day!

[sefiroxx]

Per my posts elsewhere:

Normal process:
- obtain transmission/radiator hose barb that allows you connect a hose to the top of the radiator
- run hose to 5 gallon bucket
- identify how much new fluid, buy 1 g extra and hold until the very end
- funnel to the transmission dip stick tube.
- (Option run car until no more fluid in tube, drop pan, replace filter)
- run car, adding fluid, until pink on out put
- reconnect everything
- set car on level surface, idling, add from extra 1 G until mid way on the dip stick

Typically, filter changes are not required. They are there to prevent catastrophic failure in case of minor failure of a secondary part (piece of clutch flaking off). Typically, when you have enough material to clog the filter, you already have an failing tran and will be pulling it for repair/reman anyway.

[Black02Silverado]

All good info posted above.  Txab has some good links. You can also find Youtube videos on this as well. 

 

I would change out all the fluid.  You are at low miles and all will be well.  Also I would change out the filter since it is the original filter.  There will be a lot of clutch material in there that the filter has collected.  You might not see it but that doesn't mean it isn't there.  A new filter will allow easier fluid flow.