BG Transmission service?

[Prospect62]

Hey guys, thinking of trying to prolong the life of this 2016 Suburban I just got. Pretty sure the trans has never been touched on it and I'm at 65,000 miles at the moment.

A buddy of mine recommended the "BG Transmission Fluid" service, which is essentially a tranny flush but they add chemicals to clean the tranny then replace it with their own proprietary synthetic fluid. Apparently, if I paid for this service, they offer some kind of warranty where they will pay $1000 toward transmission repairs for the life of the vehicle as long as I continue to get the service every 30,000 miles.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has had experience with this "BG" stuff and what the outcome was, or if any of the GM techs here could weigh in.

I could just do a pan drop and filter change. Or I could just not touch it! I do plan to keep the truck for the next 5 years or so.

[Mikey999]

Check what maintenance is rexommnded gm Playing around with your transmission with special flushes  can damage it. At most you only need  a transmission fluid drain and refull with approved gm trans fluid.  Your likely  still in time to do that. It has been known if the fluid has not been changed in extensive  time example  150000 miles then changing it at all can be risky 

[diyer2]

If there are no problems with the trans this is what I would do.

Pan drop and fluid.

Fluid exchange through dip stick tube at regular intervals.

What intervals?

I would do 10 -15 K miles.

Easy to do and fluid is cheap.

Fluid?

I use Castrol Transmax.

 

This is what I use to remove fluid from trans.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AJR8E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works great.

 

My 2012 Sierra had a trans service at 60 K miles. Pan drop, filter.

Two fluid exchanges. Now at 70+. Don't remember the mileage.

No problems before and it shifts smooth.

 

My 93 Chevy 4 speed auto trans lasted until 230 K doing this.

Towed with it also.

 

[newdude]

GM does NOT recommend ANY flushes.    

 

Two correct options in my opinion.

 

Drop the pan, change the filter and re-fill.

 

Drop the pan, fill it and drive it, drop it a second time then change the filter, fill it again.  

[KARNUT]

My ex son-in-law drives a tundra. A few years ago he paid the money to go all BG at their location with their warranty. He keeps his vehicle until the wheels fall off. Time will tell if they back it.

[davester]

6 hours ago, newdude said:

GM does NOT recommend ANY flushes.    

 

Two correct options in my opinion.

 

Drop the pan, change the filter and re-fill.

 

Drop the pan, fill it and drive it, drop it a second time then change the filter, fill it again.  

...and if you are planning on keeping the vehicle long term (where you do this more than once or twice), either switch the pan to one with a drain plug, or add a drain plug to the pan.  If makes doing this much less of a mess and hassle, when you can remove the fluid easily into a bucket, then either just put the plug back in, or then remove the pan without having to watch how it tilts and splashes oil everywhere.

[diyer2]

Splashing trans fluid or spilling trans fluid and making a mess can be avioded easily.

Remove fluid through dip stick tube with this or something similar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AJR8E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

:)

 

[KARNUT]

42 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Splashing trans fluid or spilling trans fluid and making a mess can be avioded easily.

Remove fluid through dip stick tube with this or something similar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AJR8E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I’m getting ready to change fluids in my old truck. Don’t want do remove hoses or bolts if I don’t need to. I already ordered an electric one it didn’t work. It came from China. 

[diyer2]

I have this extractor.

I think it works great.

Directions say to warm up fluid first.

No fluids over a 100 degrees.

[Black02Silverado]

Like posted above all good information. 

 

I just did our 2016 Suburban.  Dropped the pan, added a drain plug changed the filter and filled back up. I did this at 54k miles. I'll drain it and top back up at 100k since I'm using AMSOIL's ATL and from past experiences with it on my 2002 Silverado it has done an excellent job at keeping things clean and running smooth.

 

The drain plug I got from Summit Racing and I had a friend weld it into the pan.  Works great and no mess now when ever I have to drop the pan again.

 

[Prospect62]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

[JimCost2014]

On 2/8/2020 at 6:49 AM, newdude said:

GM does NOT recommend ANY flushes.    

 

Two correct options in my opinion.

 

Drop the pan, change the filter and re-fill.

 

Drop the pan, fill it and drive it, drop it a second time then change the filter, fill it again.  

Question, why do GM dealerships provide the service then?

 

GM tech that has been posting on here said that flushes were OK for 6 speeds, not 8 speeds.

 

How does your dealership address transmission services?

 

Not trying to be spiteful, but there are so many opinions, and few that actually come from dealership employees, that do this for a living and know what is recommended and covered by GM if there are failures. 

[newdude]

On 2/23/2020 at 12:02 AM, JimCost2014 said:

Question, why do GM dealerships provide the service then?

 

GM tech that has been posting on here said that flushes were OK for 6 speeds, not 8 speeds.

 

How does your dealership address transmission services?

 

Not trying to be spiteful, but there are so many opinions, and few that actually come from dealership employees, that do this for a living and know what is recommended and covered by GM if there are failures. 

 

Its all profit for the service department.  They usually partner with a company like BG, Castle, etc., and those companies provide the equipment for no charge, then they spiff the dealer for selling the services.  The more services the writer(s) sell, the more work for the tech, the more $$$$ they get paid.  

 

GM does state that no flushes should be performed, especially with a power flush.

 

Quote

 

#04-06-01-029I: Unscheduled Supplemental Services (Including Flushing Services and Additives) and Proper Use of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules (U.S. Only) - (Sep 14, 2017)

 

GM Authorized Service Information is Detailed, Descriptive and Complete

If GM determines that a specific model vehicle or powertrain needs supplemental service, GM will issue an Authorized Service Document with detailed service procedures that will identify any machine, tool or chemical required to conduct proper vehicle servicing. Listed below are a few examples of those messages as well as additional guidelines:

Engine Crankcase Flushing

General Motors Corporation does not endorse or recommend engine crankcase flushing for any of its gasoline engines. Analysis of some of the aftermarket materials used for crankcase flushing indicate incompatibility with GM engine components and the potential for damage to some engine seals and bearings. Damage to engine components resulting from crankcase flushing IS NOT COVERED under the terms of the New Vehicle Warranty.

 

Subsystem Flushing

Flushing of air conditioning (A/C) lines, radiators, transmission coolers, and power steering systems are recognized practices to be performed after catastrophic failures or extreme corrosion when encountered in radiators. For acceptable A/C flushing concerns, refer to the Flushing procedure in Service Information (SI). This practice is not required or recommended for normal service operations.

The use of external transmission fluid exchange or flush machines is not recommended for the automatic or manual transmission. Use of external machines to replace the fluid may affect the operation or durability of the transmission. Transmission fluid should only be replaced by draining and refilling following procedures in Service Information (SI). Refer to Automatic/Manual Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement.

 

Approved Transmission Flushing Tool (Transmission Cooler Only)

The Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flow Check and Flush Tool IS recommended for GM vehicles. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flow Check and Flush in the Service Information website using the J-45096.

 

 

 

 

[JimCost2014]

42 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

Its all profit for the service department.  They usually partner with a company like BG, Castle, etc., and those companies provide the equipment for no charge, then they spiff the dealer for selling the services.  The more services the writer(s) sell, the more work for the tech, the more $$$$ they get paid.  

 

GM does state that no flushes should be performed, especially with a power flush.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you sir.

 

What does this part mean,

Approved Transmission Flushing Tool (Transmission Cooler Only)

The Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flow Check and Flush Tool IS recommended for GM vehicles. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flow Check and Flush in the Service Information website using the J-45096.

 

And off topic, do you (GM) have a template to put the Z71 stickers on the bed?

Bought a set, not too sure I want to try and eyeball them if I put them on.

 

[newdude]

2 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

Thank you sir.

 

What does this part mean,

Approved Transmission Flushing Tool (Transmission Cooler Only)

The Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flow Check and Flush Tool IS recommended for GM vehicles. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flow Check and Flush in the Service Information website using the J-45096.

 

And off topic, do you (GM) have a template to put the Z71 stickers on the bed?

Bought a set, not too sure I want to try and eyeball them if I put them on.

 

 

That is only needed for a transmission cooling system issue.  And all it does is flush out the transmission cooler and lines but NOT the transmission to test for cooler blockage/failure.  This machine has now been re-delegated as a power fill for the 8 speed "triple fluid change" as dealers had to convert it for using the Dexron HP Fluid only now.  

 

No template for the stickers sorry...I haven't seen one from GM that I know of.  Also, in my opinion...I think those decals would do a disservice to your Centennial Edition