2020 Chevy Trax AWD questionable service manual intervals

[TheReal_DW]

I try to have this vehicle taken care of the best of my ability, to which most of the service intervals in the manual make sense:

• Oil: 3,000mi/6mo.
• Cabin Filter: 22,500mi/2yr
• Engine Filter: 45,000mi/4yr
• Transmission: 45,000mi/3yr.
• Coolant: 150,000mi/5yr.
• Brake Fluid: No miles/5yr
• Spark Plugs: 60,000-100,000mi
• Serpentine Belt: 150,000mi/10yr
• A/C Dessicant: No miles/7yr

Questionably though, the service intervals for these two items, even on the severe service intervals, are very long for what I’m used to.

• Transfercase: No service needed ever
• Rear Axle: 150,000mi

What would you change about these intervals, or would you keep them the same?

 

[IndyIan]

If you plan to keep it for the long haul, I would do the rear diff and transmissionfer case, if you can. If there is no drain and fill plugs transmission, or the car has to be half disassembled to get at the transmissionfer case, then I would wait for something else to fail in that area and do the fluid while they are in there.
The rest of it, sounds reasonable. If you live in the country or have lots of dust, then check the air filter to see how its doing. I got used to the "never change" air filter on my Focus, so I forgot to check the Outback's air filter for a few years, ~40-50k miles, and it was dirty, but nothing coming through it.

 

[BHopkins]

The 3k oil change interval really surprises me on a modern car. Is that an extreme severe use interval? Or is it based upon using conventional motor oil? GM cars usually recommend oil changes based upon the oil life monitor, and it has been my experience that the OLM usually triggers around 6500 miles.

That is the first thing I would change. A 3k mile OCI may make sense with conventional, but I always use a quality full synthetic, so I would up the OCI to 6500 miles, or when the OLM triggers. Unless you are driving on dirt roads, or have constant idling, anything less than 6000 mile OCI is doing nothing to protect the engine, and is nothing more than satisfying the DIY OCD, of making you feel like you are doing a superior job at car care.

Brake fluid would probably get changed at 3 years for me. The 5 year interval is probably fine, but I'm a little OCD about brake fluid. I should probably follow my own advice on engine oil, with brake fluid.

I'm not familiar with the drive train reliability on the Trax, but transfer case fluid would be on a 45k mile interval.

Rear diff would also be on a 45k mile interval

I don't see the front diff mentioned. Does it share fluid with the transmission or the transfer case? If it is separate, I would also add the front diff to the 45k service interval.

If the drive train on the Trax is known to be reliable, I may consider 60k miles for the transfer case and both diffs.

The rest of it looks just about right.

 

[martinq]

I try to have this vehicle taken care of the best of my ability, to which most of the service intervals in the manual make sense:

• Oil: 3,000mi/6mo.
• Cabin Filter: 22,500mi/2yr
• Engine Filter: 45,000mi/4yr
• Transmission: 45,000mi/3yr.
• Coolant: 150,000mi/5yr.
• Brake Fluid: No miles/5yr
• Spark Plugs: 60,000-100,000mi
• Serpentine Belt: 150,000mi/10yr
• A/C Dessicant: No miles/7yr

Questionably though, the service intervals for these two items, even on the severe service intervals, are very long for what I’m used to.

• Transfercase: No service needed ever
• Rear Axle: 150,000mi

What would you change about these intervals, or would you keep them the same?

I would agree with you but I think those "questionable items" service intervals are because the rear axle doesn't really do much most of the time. It's a traction assist and just idling along unless called for. I'm assuming there's some sort of clutch or fluid coupling that engages it.

Regardless of how it works, I would change the fluid (all lubricating fluids) after the first year if it was mine. I want to know how to do the service and I want to see what comes out. If everything looks "OK" then I'd probably leave it until the first major service. "Over-servicing" definitely has a cost attached to it but the knowledge and peace of mind is what I'm interested in. Too many OEMs have failed their customers through poor service & service recommendations.

 

[shortyb]

Me personally, I'd change the coolant at 5yr./60K and the brake fluid every other year for the "reasonable" intervals. The others are ok. Transfer case and rear axle? 5yr./60K. Front diff (if separate from transmission), same interval. Separate transmission? Same as the diffs, axles, and transmissionfer case.

 

[TheReal_DW]

The 3k oil change interval really surprises me on a modern car. Is that an extreme severe use interval? GM cars usually recommend oil changes based upon the oil life monitor, and it has been my experience that the OLM usually triggers around 6500 miles.

That is the first thing I would change. A 3k mile OCI may make sense with conventional, but I always use a quality full synthetic, so I would up the OCI to 6500 miles, or when the OLM triggers.

Brake fluid would probably get changed at 3 years for me. The 5 year interval is probably fine, but I'm a little OCD about brake fluid.

I'm not familiar with the drive train reliability on the Trax, but transfer case fluid would be on a 45k mile interval

Rear diff would also be on a 45k mile interval

I don't see the front diff mentioned. Does it share fluid with the transmission or the transfer case? If it is separate, I would also add the front diff to the 45k service interval.

I drive extremely short distances, 3 miles to, then 3 miles back almost daily, most of the time I never hit the 3,000 miles on oil, but I could consider extending those intervals.

I will see if the front differential is separate from the transmission but usually I think these vehicles have a transaxle on the front nowadays.

 

[martinq]

I drive extremely short distances, 3 miles to, then 3 miles back almost daily, most of the time I never hit the 3,000 miles on oil, but I could consider extending those intervals.

I will see if the front differential is separate from the transmission but usually I think these vehicles have a transaxle on the front nowadays.

I'm sure the front diff is in the transmission, this is basically a FWD platform.

If you're doing short drives then I would either stick to the OE recommendation (3k) or have the oil tested. You can use a better oil for longer runs (I'd recommend Valvoline Restore and Protect, 5w30) but for YOUR application it would be best to go through with testing or look for someone similar who has done the tests.

 

[BHopkins]

I drive extremely short distances, 3 miles to, then 3 miles back almost daily, most of the time I never hit the 3,000 miles on oil, but I could consider extending those intervals.

I will see if the front differential is separate from the transmission but usually I think these vehicles have a transaxle on the front nowadays.

With that short of drives, the 3k mile OCI is probably a good idea. Either that, or make a habit of a nice 30+ minute weekly drive, to get any condensation out of the oil. Have you ever done a used oil analysis? It would be interesting to know the % water in the oil, with such short drives.

 

[JTK]

The 6spd AT will definitely benefit from a few fluid changes. The AWD system is a bit different on the Trax than that of my 2021 Equinox. The Trax uses a T-case and drive shaft to the rear that is live any time the wheels are rolling. The rear carrier uses an electro-magnetic clutch to turn power on/off to the rear wheels. I'm not sure how easily serviceable the T-case and rear diff are. They are super easy to do on my 2021 Equinox.