Service and maintenance schedule

[Donstar]

Excellent explanation, thank you.  The price match idea is great.  I'll look for the least expensive quotes on transmission, transfer case and brake line fluid changes and then see what my dealer do as a bundle!  

[Grumpy Bear]

The solution to pollution is dilution. Had a boss that use to say that. Industrial setting. Don't ask. 

 

 

[mookdoc6]

3 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

The solution to pollution is dilution. Had a boss that use to say that. Industrial setting. Don't ask. 

 

 

I like that quote and there is truth to that!  

[Z45]

The objective of OEM dealers is to see customers often and increase profits. 

[diyer2]

The fluid debate again.

If you trade regularly why care is one way.

If you're a considerate person change it. 

Changing my fluids is a no-brainer.

[newdude]

22 hours ago, Donstar said:

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will give a transmission shop a try.    I inquired at our local auto service store (Canadian Tire) and they were slightly less expensive but not enough to  keep me from my trusted GM dealership.   I also visited a quick oil change type store and their prices were favourable.  I have no problem with a quick lube place doing an oil change as this is pretty basic.  You're there while its being performed, and it's easy to spot a leak or improper fill level.  Is transmission service expensive because of the knowledge and skill required or is it more an issue of special equipment?  The quick lube's website  talks about equipment capable of extracting all of the old ATF.   I picture draining your transmission in the driveway and using a turkey baster to assist in the process as being labor intensive but not high on the skill level chart   However if it is a many step process with lots of opportunity for mistakes, then I would want to go to a place that specializes in transmissions!

 

Dealer and other service centers are more than likely using a transmission flush machine.  All that accomplishes is a full fluid exchange of the transmission with the machine, but does nothing to the filter.  They don't drop the pan, they charge you for fluid and time to flush.

 

A proper service would involve a double pan drop and a filter change.  That way, you get 80-90% of the fluid AND the opportunity to change the filter.  

[Grumpy Bear]

I expect there are as few as nutty as I. That first trans service needs to get that filter changed and pan cleaned. I know it is't much of a filter as filters go. Horse and cow catcher really. I fit mine with a new PML pan with a drain plug. That isn't absolutely required just makes it easy for following fluid services when the filter isn't changed. dyier2 and my 91 year old father for that matter, pull fluid from the dipstick. I'm sure dyier2 will share his information on the setup and procedure. 

 

This system holds 12-1/2 quarts. A pan drop, filter or not, is six quarts. Let's call it 12 even. So first fluid change is 50% exchange. A few hundred miles later do it again. 75% fluid is now new. Four such exchanges gets you to 95%. Done this way guys with health issues that prevent the monkey motion catch a physical break. It won't save you on the first one but from there on out you're out you time and the price of fluid. There after do a one drop exchange every 25 to 33 K ( or km equivalent) 

 

If you really like this truck flip the thermostat pill and splice a spin on filter into the top line off the trans to the cooler and use a Purolator BOSS or AMSOIL Ea. You can then forget the one in the trans for 100K or more.

 

You did't damage your transmission so you're not trying to 'fix' a problem. You're preventing one. Dilution of the fluid reduces contaminate levels and restores add package and fluid properties. 

 

My 2 cents and IMHO.  

[Donstar]

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

The fluid debate again.

If you trade regularly why care is one way.

If you're a considerate person change it. 

Changing my fluids is a no-brainer.

I wasn't trying stir up debate but trying to see if I can safely avoid an expense at this time.   The way the manual reads (imo) is my dealer is assuming my truck sees severe usage which is not the case.  I usually treat my vehicles like I will own them for the rest of my life but usually trade after a few years.  However,  I've had this truck for five years and the likelihood of being replaced in the next five years is slim!  An interesting observation is that under severe maintenance the manual reads "change automatic transmission fluid and filter".  The "reminder" that was sent to me in the mail calls for "transmission fluid replacement".  This forum has pointed out that there is a difference.  The best solution may not be dilution but may be a compromise!  (This last comment was with the assumption that I understood Grumpy )

[Grumpy Bear]

12 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I wasn't trying stir up debate but trying to see if I can safely avoid an expense at this time.   The way the manual reads (imo) is my dealer is assuming my truck sees severe usage which is not the case.  I usually treat my vehicles like I will own them for the rest of my life but usually trade after a few years.  However,  I've had this truck for five years and the likelihood of being replaced in the next five years is slim!  An interesting observation is that under severe maintenance the manual reads "change automatic transmission fluid and filter".  The "reminder" that was sent to me in the mail calls for "transmission fluid replacement".  This forum has pointed out that there is a difference.  The best solution may not be dilution but may be a compromise!  (This last comment was with the assumption that I understood Grumpy )

 

37 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

I expect there are as few as nutty as I. That first trans service needs to get that filter changed and pan cleaned. I know it is't much of a filter as filters go. Horse and cow catcher really. I fit mine with a new PML pan with a drain plug. That isn't absolutely required just makes it easy for following fluid services when the filter isn't changed. dyier2 and my 91 year old father for that matter, pull fluid from the dipstick. I'm sure dyier2 will share his information on the setup and procedure. 

 

This system holds 12-1/2 quarts. A pan drop, filter or not, is six quarts. Let's call it 12 even. So first fluid change is 50% exchange. A few hundred miles later do it again. 75% fluid is now new. Four such exchanges gets you to 95%. Done this way guys with health issues that prevent the monkey motion catch a physical break. It won't save you on the first one but from there on out you're out you time and the price of fluid. There after do a one drop exchange every 25 to 33 K ( or km equivalent) 

 

If you really like this truck flip the thermostat pill and splice a spin on filter into the top line off the trans to the cooler and use a Purolator BOSS or AMSOIL Ea. You can then forget the one in the trans for 100K or more.

 

You did't damage your transmission so you're not trying to 'fix' a problem. You're preventing one. Dilution of the fluid reduces contaminate levels and restores add package and fluid properties. 

 

My 2 cents and IMHO.  

That said, if you're cash strapped, you can only do what you can do. If you only use dyier2's method via the dipstick and do it yourself replacing exactly what you measure taking out that is still significant. Don't let the filter go past 100K miles. 

[16LT4]

If you trust a quick lube place I have Ocean front property in Montana to sell you. Even dealers relegate the HS kids to fluid changes, many never even change oil filters. Fact. 

 

Here’s a horror story:

 

https://jalopnik.com/lazy-idiots-at-lube-shop-cut-hole-in-audi-s4s-aero-pan-1748394648

[KARNUT]

40 minutes ago, 16LT4 said:

If you trust a quick lube place I have Ocean front property in Montana to sell you. Even dealers relegate the HS kids to fluid changes, many never even change oil filters. Fact. 

 

Here’s a horror story:

 

https://jalopnik.com/lazy-idiots-at-lube-shop-cut-hole-in-audi-s4s-aero-pan-1748394648

I don’t know how many quick lube places are franchised, maybe they all are. I do know there’s a real popular one by me. Always busy, very good reputation. The owner works the counter and is always checking out their work. His son runs the shop. So probably more reliable than the dealership. 

[ammoaddict]

I just saved $50 by changing my cab air filter. (Also on my service reminder).   It was an easy task but kind of a silly setup. GM could probably sell a lot more filters if they made changing them more user friendly!  I imagine changing the transmission fluid and filter must be ridiculous judging by the dealer's $249 price for this service!

I had my truck in for it's 2nd oil change, and a guy came carrying my cabin air filter into the waiting area, it had a couple leaves on it and he was carrying in both hands, ever so gently so the leaves wouldn't blow off. I declined the new filter. There were three other people in the room with me and everyone of them shown their cabin air filter. All had the same kind of leaves as mine. I was the only one that declined.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

[Donstar]

2 hours ago, ammoaddict said:

I had my truck in for it's 2nd oil change, and a guy came carrying my cabin air filter into the waiting area, it had a couple leaves on it and he was carrying in both hands, ever so gently so the leaves wouldn't blow off. I declined the new filter. There were three other people in the room with me and everyone of them shown their cabin air filter. All had the same kind of leaves as mine. I was the only one that declined.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk
 

That would have annoyed me.  It was good that he was thorough in his inspection but a simple comment on your invoice indicating your cab filter was shaken clean of leaves and is due for replacement at 36K miles would have been better!  

[Donstar]

11 hours ago, 16LT4 said:

If you trust a quick lube place I have Ocean front property in Montana to sell you.

No matter where I have my vehicle serviced, I am aware that I could fall victim to an incompetent, disgruntled or unscrupulous mechanic.  I do my best to assess the shop's environment and check the work when completed.  Something like a transmission pan drop and filter change could easily be charged for but not done.   I grew up in the trades and was taught to take pride in my work.  This pride also applied to those tasks that were hidden and would never be seen by the customer.  I believe this work ethic is more common than not and know the odds of receiving  quality workmanship are in my favour!

[KARNUT]

The Honda, Genesis, Chevy service centers I use you can watch service being done. Most quick lube places I’ve been to the same can be said. I watched them do the transmission fluid change on my wife’s Genesis. I watched the timing belt change on my wife’s Acura. I let them know I’m watching. The only time I let them do the air filter or cabin filter is when I have a coupon for free labor. I stayed pretty much with the same brands recently Hyundai’s and GM so they know me. It’s the same dealer. The Acura is 19 years old. I used the same Honda dealer. They usually send me a yearly reminder. Not trusting can be mitigated by using the same place.