Trans Fluid Questions

[crepitus]

Got a couple of questions about changing the fluid in my 06 Sierra. I have about 12k on her now and want to drop the pan and change out the filter. Does anything else have to come off to drop the pan? Its a 5.3L engine. What kind of trans fluid does it take? I have heard they come with synthetic now. Is this true? Do i need to get it from GM? And my last question, I want to put a drain plug in the pan so in the future i can just drain out the fluid. Anyone do this and can they recomend a quality plug?

[C & A s Dad]

Unless GM changed something, you will have to remove the linkage bracket that is bolted to the drivers side of the trans. It interferes with the pan coming off. No big deal just know that it is held on with 2 Torx head bolts that have to be removed from the top. I cannot remember the size. You will replace the fluid with the new Dexron V which is syn. You can use any quality name Dexron V approved fluid and I believe Amsoil now meets these specs.

 

You can add a plug if you like and it will certainly make future changes easier. The one we (CARQUEST) sells is supplied to us by Hayden and is a part # 77019. Just requires a hole to be drilled and the plug has a lock nut that screws on from the inside to hold it in place.

[scooter_092196]

I just did this on my 2000 Silvy Z71 w/ 5.3L. There should be a drain plug in your tranny pan already. I couldn't get mine out, but I have 117,000 on my ride. In order to drop the pan, you need to take off the shifter linkage. I also could not get these (2) bolts out as the bolt heads are on the top - down. I ended up having my buddy bend the linkage bracket out of the way while I removed the pan. Yours being newer might be different, not sure.

[ken1mod]

A drain plug is more convenient but the most important part of thejob is to change the filter. If the filter plugs, the trans burns up fast.

 

Ken

[C & A s Dad]

There is no drain plug in the '06. GM stopped adding the drain plugs in '03 or '04 I believe. The reason given was they were finding people changing the fluid and not dropping the pan and changing the filter. As Ken has said, it is extremely important to change the filter. This is the reason I am not a fan of "flush machines" when they are used to get around changing the filter. They are fine if the tech uses the machine to pull the fluid and then drops the pan. I realize this is another subject and has been beat to death so I will leave it alone.

 

For future reference, the plug is installed at the factory with a medium strength thread locker. They will typically come out with a really good quality 6 pt Impact style 1/2 drive socket. If it does not budge, heat it slightly with a small propane torch and the thread locker will release and the plug will come right out.

[VMax2007]

Got a couple of questions about changing the fluid in my 06 Sierra. I have about 12k on her now and want to drop the pan and change out the filter. Does anything else have to come off to drop the pan? Its a 5.3L engine. What kind of trans fluid does it take? I have heard they come with synthetic now. Is this true? Do i need to get it from GM? And my last question, I want to put a drain plug in the pan so in the future i can just drain out the fluid. Anyone do this and can they recomend a quality plug?

 

May I ask why you'd change the tranny fluid with only 12K miles? GM says 100K, but I would think at leat 50K should be fine. Seems like a waste of time and money to me. Even Tranny shops say 40-50K is plenty often.

[Gozer]

Got a couple of questions about changing the fluid in my 06 Sierra. I have about 12k on her now and want to drop the pan and change out the filter. Does anything else have to come off to drop the pan? Its a 5.3L engine. What kind of trans fluid does it take? I have heard they come with synthetic now. Is this true? Do i need to get it from GM? And my last question, I want to put a drain plug in the pan so in the future i can just drain out the fluid. Anyone do this and can they recomend a quality plug?

 

May I ask why you'd change the tranny fluid with only 12K miles? GM says 100K, but I would think at leat 50K should be fine. Seems like a waste of time and money to me. Even Tranny shops say 40-50K is plenty often.

 

 

I agree, 12k sounds way too early unless you overheated it somehow. I haven't had any tranny problems to date (knock on wood!) on my 1997 with 4L60E. It's got 104k on it and I changed fluid and filter around 60k. I was planning to change again soon, but my new 2007 Sierra will hopefully be here soon.

[C & A s Dad]

Unless GM changed something, you will have to remove the linkage bracket that is bolted to the drivers side of the trans. It interferes with the pan coming off. No big deal just know that it is held on with 2 Torx head bolts that have to be removed from the top. I cannot remember the size. You will replace the fluid with the new Dexron V which is syn. You can use any quality name Dexron V approved fluid and I believe Amsoil now meets these specs.

 

You can add a plug if you like and it will certainly make future changes easier. The one we (CARQUEST) sells is supplied to us by Hayden and is a part # 77019. Just requires a hole to be drilled and the plug has a lock nut that screws on from the inside to hold it in place.

 

 

In this reply I used the term Dexron V it should be Dexron VI. Just did not want to confuse anyone.

[caddycruiser]

Got a couple of questions about changing the fluid in my 06 Sierra. I have about 12k on her now and want to drop the pan and change out the filter. Does anything else have to come off to drop the pan? Its a 5.3L engine. What kind of trans fluid does it take? I have heard they come with synthetic now. Is this true? Do i need to get it from GM? And my last question, I want to put a drain plug in the pan so in the future i can just drain out the fluid. Anyone do this and can they recomend a quality plug?

 

May I ask why you'd change the tranny fluid with only 12K miles? GM says 100K, but I would think at leat 50K should be fine. Seems like a waste of time and money to me. Even Tranny shops say 40-50K is plenty often.

 

 

I agree, 12k sounds way too early unless you overheated it somehow. I haven't had any tranny problems to date (knock on wood!) on my 1997 with 4L60E. It's got 104k on it and I changed fluid and filter around 60k. I was planning to change again soon, but my new 2007 Sierra will hopefully be here soon.

 

 

Agreed, 12k is WAY too early, unless there's been some kind of an issue, and you really don't want to get on a routine at that interval. Trans fluid is not like engine oil, and the system is really designed to be left alone for quite a long time--usually 50k or more often 100k.

 

Of course, if it's to clean out "new" metal particles, that's not too bad of an idea in theory, but really not called for or even common. Anytime you do anything trans related, fluid+filter change is the way to go and at those higher intervals. The trans should be left alone as much as possible, and until it is actually close to or due for service.

[Black02Silverado]

Dexron VI will work fine. If you do a full exchange you will need 14qts. If you just do a pan drop then 5qts will work.

[crepitus]

Got a couple of questions about changing the fluid in my 06 Sierra. I have about 12k on her now and want to drop the pan and change out the filter. Does anything else have to come off to drop the pan? Its a 5.3L engine. What kind of trans fluid does it take? I have heard they come with synthetic now. Is this true? Do i need to get it from GM? And my last question, I want to put a drain plug in the pan so in the future i can just drain out the fluid. Anyone do this and can they recomend a quality plug?

 

May I ask why you'd change the tranny fluid with only 12K miles? GM says 100K, but I would think at leat 50K should be fine. Seems like a waste of time and money to me. Even Tranny shops say 40-50K is plenty often.

 

I know it seems a bit early. I just ifgured i would clean out the metal from break in and put a new filter on. but maybe youguys are right. I should just wait till 50k. What about the rear i heard that oil should be changed early