Transmission fluid change

[TheSilverBulletRado]

New here and I'm sure this has been discussed but I recently bought a 2018 chevy Silverado 1500 V6 with 39,000 miles on it. Upon checking and changing all fluids I noticed the transmission oil was a grayish color. From all my searching online it looks like the only way to change it is to drop the pan. I was wondering is their a easier method maybe like a pump system or a hidden drain plug just so I could get rid of the old and give it some new. Any help much appreciated.

[davester]

Some people will pump it out the fill tube (using a long thin tube).

 

If your gray fluid at all silvery/shiny?  Or show specs if you wipe the tip off on a white paper towel?  Maybe post a pic of how it looks on the towel?  If so, I would suggest dropping the pan, and seeing what's in the bottom of the pan and stuck on the magnet (and perhaps swapping in a pan with a drain plug and/or modifying the pan to have one if you have the fabbing skills & equipment), and at least changing the filter. 

[Black02Silverado]

You can use one of these.  I have one and it works great for sucking out transmission fluid, power steering fluid and any other fluid other than fuel.

[CamGTP]

Another method is pop one of the cooler lines off, run the truck for a minute to let it pump it's own fluid out. Measure that amount and add that back in. Do that 2-3 times and you'll exchange about 8-10 quarts total.

[TheSilverBulletRado]

10 hours ago, davester said:

Some people will pump it out the fill tube (using a long thin tube).

 

If your gray fluid at all silvery/shiny?  Or show specs if you wipe the tip off on a white paper towel?  Maybe post a pic of how it looks on the towel?  If so, I would suggest dropping the pan, and seeing what's in the bottom of the pan and stuck on the magnet (and perhaps swapping in a pan with a drain plug and/or modifying the pan to have one if you have the fabbing skills & equipment), and at least changing the filter. 

My bad.. it looks more brownish red.

[BlaineBug]

Mine looks similar at 35,000 miles.  Seems to soon to not be bright red but it is what it is.

I spoke with the GM service adviser and he said not to worry about it until at least 60,000 miles.  He said I could probably go to 100,000 and be fine.  But I won't.

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, BlaineBug said:

Mine looks similar at 35,000 miles.  Seems to soon to not be bright red but it is what it is.

I spoke with the GM service adviser and he said not to worry about it until at least 60,000 miles.  He said I could probably go to 100,000 and be fine.  But I won't.

He did, did he? 

 

He needs a new line of work.

Change your fluid. Filter too. 

Both of you. (OP)

 

When ATF looks burnt, it is burnt. Running it longer wont' make it better.

Wait, my toast is burnt, toast it again please.

 

[BlaineBug]

I'm surprised that it would be burnt so soon?  But yes, that's what he said.  Although he didn't see it, we were just conversing.  I just inquired what their cost was and didn't tell him that it wasn't bright red.  Dropping the pan and replacing the filter is NOT part of their flush process and is extra.

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, BlaineBug said:

I'm surprised that it would be burnt so soon?  But yes, that's what he said.  Although he didn't see it, we were just conversing.  I just inquired what their cost was and didn't tell him that it wasn't bright red.  Dropping the pan and replacing the filter is NOT part of their flush process and is extra.

Don't be surprised. Trust  your eyes and the common sense god gave a goose. It may be that you will have to bite the bullet for the first change. PLM makes a nice alloy pan with a drain. Have the shop drop your pan, change your filter and install the new pan. It's a six quart drop and fill straight up. OR use one of the other methods mentioned before. You choose. But change the fluid and filter. 

 

It might not be part of HIS process. Make it part of yours. Does he own your truck? 

[BlaineBug]

I'm not concerned about doing the work, I can do it, have done it before.  Like I said we were just conversing, the service adviser and myself.  I had mentioned to him that I'm quite anal about maintenance and was interested to know how GM took power train warranty cases in regards to keeping up with proper maintenance.  He said don't mess with it until at least 60,000 miles and that GM recommended 100,000 or so.  That's all.  I'm not going to wait that long!

[gone_fishing]

I've changed my transmission fluid by extracting it out of the dipstick tube (6 speed). I used this fluid extractor hand pump I purchased at Harbor Freight:

 

I had to use different tubing as the tubing that came with it was too limp to push down the dipstick tube. Purchased some standard clear vinyl tubing and adapted it to a piece of the included tubing. I think it was 3/16" ID, 5/16" OD. Once I got the tube shoved down as far as I could, I could pump out about 3.5 quarts. Whatever I took out, I would then replace with new fluid (MaxLife ATF). I would do this at least 3 times with some driving in between. Each time the fluid coming out would get a little more clear red. Here is a pic of the OEM fluid after the first exchange:

 

 

 

Didn't smell burnt but didn't look that great either.

 

Did this procedure at 60k, 100k, and 150k. I also replaced the trans filter at 130k. Before dropping the pan to replace the filter, I pumped as much as I could out which kept the mess down to a minimum. I'm at 155k now and the trans shifts like new and I've never had any problems (outside of my dislike of the factory computer programming but that's another story). Now that my daily driver is work provided car, I don't drive my Sierra like I used to (was averaging around 25k a year). I'm probably good on trans fluid exchanges for a while now since I maybe put 5k a year on now.

 

 

[9c1fanatic]

15 hours ago, BlaineBug said:

I'm surprised that it would be burnt so soon?  But yes, that's what he said.  Although he didn't see it, we were just conversing.  I just inquired what their cost was and didn't tell him that it wasn't bright red.  Dropping the pan and replacing the filter is NOT part of their flush process and is extra.

Being that its a used truck, you never know how the vehicle was operated or in what conditions.  Hot temps, stop and go traffic, short trips and especially towing can all reduce ATF fluid life.  I agree, that fluid is toast, change it now.  

 

I hate when service people say lifetime fluid or 100k changes blah blah blah.  The manual typically says on the 6L80E in most vehicles, 100k for "normal" driving and 50,000 severe service but if you look up the definition of what they say severe service is, it encompasses like 95 percent of drivers at least some of the time.  Throw any heavy towing and or really hot temps I can easily see the ATF only lasting to 39,000.  

 

Obviously these intervals are estimates meant to encompass most preconceived conditions.  But best bet is to keep an eye on your fluids, and your trans temps when you are towing, off roading, etc and if you ever run it hot, be prepared to change it sooner than later regardless of mileage for maximum transmission life.

[BlaineBug]

I agree.  From a warranty standpoint I would have thought that by now the severe maintenance schedule would have been altered to be the normal.  Would think that would help the auto manufacturers for when warranty claims arise as well.  Waited to change your fluid past the recommendation and you now have a failure?  Rejected.

[BlaineBug]

Maybe I was being harsher on my fluid than it actually is.  At 35,400 miles presently.

 

I believe I would ignore the seriously dirty portion when I wiped the entire length of the transmission dip stick.

 

The two other areas are soaked into the napkin somewhat but are more representative of the fluid that comes from just the very tip of the dip stick that is submerged in the pan.

I wouldn't say it's bright red but looks relatively pink.  Davester's looks worse.  It's probably a bad idea to wipe the entire dip stick when going for a measurement of color.  Even clean metal leaves a residue when it's wiped.  Not sure why that is but it happens.

[Black02Silverado]

If the fluid has never been changed it would still be a good idea.  All the initial transmission clutch wear-in is floating around and would be a good thing to get it out.