Shifting problems between 1st and second gears

Brian Wegher · April 4

Hello I am new member to the sight and I was looking for some advice to this issue. Recently purchased a 2020 Silverado 4x4 45,000 miles 5.3 motor with 8 speed transmission. Never noticed when I test drove it but when I first take off after it sitting all night, transmission like slips or hard shifts between first and second gear. Only on the first take off. The next take off it is fine, but it does it every time I take off after it sits all night. Anyone experience this issue? I read some things about fluid change. Not sure about this but seems more like possibly electrical or software issue. I let it warm up first and it makes no difference. Heck I had a 2000 Silverado for 20 years 200k miles and I don't think transmission fluid was ever change. Never an issue. A little nervous because warranty has expired and not sure if this is covered under powertrain warranty. Thanks for any help on this issue.

Bikerjon · April 4

Pull the trans. dip stick and smell the fluid. Does it smell burnt? Wipe the stick off on a white shop towel or paper towel. Is the fluid clear or does it look dirty? If dirty or burnt you should change the trans. fluid, That said dirty or burned fluid is usually only a symptom and not a cause for transmission problems. You should take it to a dealer, leave it overnight and have a mechanic test drive it cold with you. The powertrain warranty should cover the transmission but the dealer will ultimately have to decide.

silveradosid · April 5

common with the 8 speed, my 2020 also will do this first thing on the morning. i remote start mine for a couple minutes and then put it in reverse for 5 seconds before i put it in drive, seems to help

Brian Wegher · April 5

Just wondering if yours did this since it was new? Or did it start after more miles where put on the truck?

I will check fluid color and smell, probably just go a head and change fluid it does have 45k on it. I have no record showing it being changed. If this is a regular occurrence, its's very strange that it only does it on the first shift sequence. If I would have felt that when I test drove it I would have parked it back in there lot. Just hoping I didn't buy myself a nightmare. Thanks for your response's

GOMD · April 5

Had/have this in a 2017 Camaro 8 speed, and its showing up now in a 2023 GMC Sierra 8 speed. Not much the dealer will really due, there was a TSB for the Camaro years ago, flush and fill trans fluid, but it can and does come back.

It is always on the first start and drive of the day, you need to really have a light foot to get rid of most of it.

Edited April 5 by GOMD

Brian Wegher · April 5

Not a good selling issue, but if that is all it is, I can live with it. Just seems kind of crazy that GM can't get this ironed out. I was reading they had the newer ones straightened out but if your 2023 is doing it as well, I guess not. Thanks for info.

octobers fade · April 5

Just put my 2014 in, going to be $1500 - $4500 depending. I was told they were notorious for this kind of failure.

Edited April 5 by octobers fade

silveradosid · April 6

here is what tech link says to troubleshoot https://gm-techlink.com/?p=13727

newdude · April 6

On 4/4/2023 at 9:18 AM, Brian Wegher said:

Hello I am new member to the sight and I was looking for some advice to this issue. Recently purchased a 2020 Silverado 4x4 45,000 miles 5.3 motor with 8 speed transmission. Never noticed when I test drove it but when I first take off after it sitting all night, transmission like slips or hard shifts between first and second gear. Only on the first take off. The next take off it is fine, but it does it every time I take off after it sits all night. Anyone experience this issue? I read some things about fluid change. Not sure about this but seems more like possibly electrical or software issue. I let it warm up first and it makes no difference. Heck I had a 2000 Silverado for 20 years 200k miles and I don't think transmission fluid was ever change. Never an issue. A little nervous because warranty has expired and not sure if this is covered under powertrain warranty. Thanks for any help on this issue.

Welcome to the #1 normal issue on the 8 speed. First 1-2 shift of the day, the clutch pack that handles 2nd gear is rather large and the fill time is a bit longer than the other clutches for the first time its shifted into.

Silveradosid posted a great link via GM explaining it.

newdude · April 6

23 hours ago, GOMD said:

Had/have this in a 2017 Camaro 8 speed, and its showing up now in a 2023 GMC Sierra 8 speed. Not much the dealer will really due, there was a TSB for the Camaro years ago, flush and fill trans fluid, but it can and does come back.

It is always on the first start and drive of the day, you need to really have a light foot to get rid of most of it.

Fluid fixes the shudder issue, not the 1-2 first shift.

Brian Wegher · April 6

Thanks for all the info. This eases my mind a bit to find this is a common issue and it is not transmission failure.

GMCustomerService · April 12

On 4/4/2023 at 9:18 AM, Brian Wegher said:

Hello I am new member to the sight and I was looking for some advice to this issue. Recently purchased a 2020 Silverado 4x4 45,000 miles 5.3 motor with 8 speed transmission. Never noticed when I test drove it but when I first take off after it sitting all night, transmission like slips or hard shifts between first and second gear. Only on the first take off. The next take off it is fine, but it does it every time I take off after it sits all night. Anyone experience this issue? I read some things about fluid change. Not sure about this but seems more like possibly electrical or software issue. I let it warm up first and it makes no difference. Heck I had a 2000 Silverado for 20 years 200k miles and I don't think transmission fluid was ever change. Never an issue. A little nervous because warranty has expired and not sure if this is covered under powertrain warranty. Thanks for any help on this issue.

This is certainly not what we like to hear, Brian Wegher. Please know, customer satisfaction is extremely important to us. Our team would be more than happy to take a closer look into the concerns with your 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. To do so, please send an email to [email protected] with ATTN: Brian Wegher/GM Trucks in the subject line.

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