How Often Do You Change Your Transmission Fluid?

[bowserb]

I was just curious on how often you guys change your trans fluid. Most GM cars/trucks say under severe use it should be changed every 50k............does this account for time though?

 

I am looking at 09 silverado's/sierra's but my current vehicle is an 01 Buick Century........35k miles, its 8 yr old fluid should I change it now? I would assume yes......as the detergents have broken down...... I plan on doing a full change, flush, new filter, gasket, etc.........any worries about any varnish inside? the fluid on the dipstick is still nice bright red/pink

 

I also am curious though how often most guys on here change the fluid in the trucks..........

 

When I get mine I will probably do 25k miles.........

I assume most run flush through.........then change the filter and then add new dexron III/IV

 

 

thoughts............

[GMAnimal]

I change with filter every 30K. Cheap insurance.

[Outbacker]

I am not even close to the time, but when I get to 40K, I will be looking at changing the tranny fluid, and it will involve a flush, new filter and gasket. I will also be using synthetic oil in the tranny as opposed to regular tranny oil. But yeah, around 40K is a good time to do it since I do use the truck for towing a trailer as opposed to just driving around living the dream in a GM .

[J-man67]

I thought the fluid from the factory was sythetic in the trans....???

[dale442]

I just changed mine this past weekend. I was kinda scared because ya never know what will be lurking in the bottom of the pan.

 

Good news though, nice and clean. Just a bit of the normal crap you would expect to find. This is on a 115000 km truck. Not sure if, or when, it had been done in the past.

 

Dale

[Z45]

I thought the fluid from the factory was sythetic in the trans....???

 

 

No, its not. They only put synthetic in the axles and its not the best stuff IMO. Comes from low bidder.

[dlstewart01]

GM went to Dextron V1 in 2006. Dex V1 is a semi synthetic. and is backwards compatible in older transmissions.

 

Hava a good one,

 

Don

[Black02Silverado]

Every 30k is what is in my owners manual. Not sure what the newer vehicles are calling for as a fluid change with the six speed autos and everything new having Dexron VI. If you tow or haul a good bit it is wise to change at least every 30k. As we all know heat is the #1 killer of automatics.

[alvocado]

The only way to determine if you changed too early or late is to run an oil analysis on a sample. I suspect many change much sooner than needed so if you do change it, send out a sample and use data to determine what's right for your vehicle. Conjecture is fun but not the best way to make decisions on maintaining your truck. Blackstone Labs can test tranny fluid along with other lubricating fluids. www.blackstone-labs.com

[Outbacker]

I thought the fluid from the factory was sythetic in the trans....???

 

I asked the service dude last time I was in and they told me was regular dino tranny oil in there, and they recommend syn oil in the tranny at the first change. What the hell? Why wouldn't they just out syn oil in there in the first place. I asked another GMC dealership and they also said it was regular dino tranny fluid. Makes me wonder.

[GMAnimal]

I just changed mine this past weekend. I was kinda scared because ya never know what will be lurking in the bottom of the pan.

 

Good news though, nice and clean. Just a bit of the normal crap you would expect to find. This is on a 115000 km truck. Not sure if, or when, it had been done in the past.

 

Dale

 

Thats excellent with that mileage Dale.

[dlstewart01]

I thought the fluid from the factory was sythetic in the trans....???

 

I asked the service dude last time I was in and they told me was regular dino tranny oil in there, and they recommend syn oil in the tranny at the first change. What the hell? Why wouldn't they just out syn oil in there in the first place. I asked another GMC dealership and they also said it was regular dino tranny fluid. Makes me wonder.

 

 

Well I have 6 quarts of Dextron V1 in my garage and it says right on the bottle semi-synthetic.

 

Have a good one,

 

Don

[Ryan00TJ]

I use an electric tranny pump to drain the pan and then some via the dipstick tube. I do this every 2 yrs or 15K miles. Refill new fluid. Leave filter. Then upon reaching 30K miles or 4 years I drop the pan and change the filter and new fluid. The electric tranny pump is nice and easy and allows new fluid without dropping the pan.

 

Most Imp!!!! Use the proper size cooler to keep tranny temps 160-170* max. The stock cooler shoudl be sufficient for regular towing but anything close to max for long periods you should upgrade your cooler.

 

Dex VI is semi synthetic and a very good ATF.

[dale442]

Thats excellent with that mileage Dale.

 

 

Yeah, a little lucky I guess. Or well serviced by the PO.

 

But I am knocking on wood as I type this reply...One handed Knowing my luck!!

 

Dale

[pennzoil29]

I just changed the fluid in my '99 at 168+k for the first time. Although I was having some shifting issues, (I assume due to some clogged pick up tubes), there was nothing but the normal crap in the pan. She is shifting fine now. I did over fill it though. I was told it would take almost 8 qts to refill, but it actually only took a little more than 6. I took the top line going into the radiator off, and started the truck to drain out the excess fluid. I hadn't realized that the previous owner never serviced the tranny, or I'd have done this when I bought it 4 yrs ago.