I just got my Tranny totally redone in my 2001 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 extended cab pickup. I ask the guy how often I should change my fluid since it was like new again. He told me never than he would never change it. He went into detail why he wouldn't but of course it was all over my head. I bought the truck new and it has 213,000 miles on it now. The tranny lasted that long. I changed the fluid and filter twice and just had it flushed out twice during the 213,000 miles. What do you guys think and how often do you change your tranny fluid and filter?
Changing Transmission Fluid?
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I plan a drain and fill every 25k which is about 4 quarts on a 12 quart tranny and a flush every 50k.
I do a fluid exchange every 50,000.
50k for me on the same Trans, 159k trouble free miles so far.
On my 03 V8 4Runner I drain about 4 quarts and add 4 new quarts of Red Line D4 every 60K miles. I opted for synthetic and the increased cost is not much because it uses so little, just the 4 quarts each time.
I would be really disappointed if a 4L60E in one of my vehicles died that early. Maintaining them can get MUCH more life out of them.
Drain and fill it every 30k if you don't tow a lot. more often if you do. For $30 you can get an aftermarket pan with a drain bolt in it (or weld one in yourself for less if you can). This makes a drain/fill very easy to do.
If they just replaced seals and frictions and no hard parts, I could wait until 30k to drain/fill. If they replaced many hard parts, drop the pan and clean it out after 5k to catch any new wear metals. Early, extra maintenance pays big dividends later.
Drain and fill it every 30k if you don't tow a lot. more often if you do. For $30 you can get an aftermarket pan with a drain bolt in it (or weld one in yourself for less if you can). This makes a drain/fill very easy to do.
If they just replaced seals and frictions and no hard parts, I could wait until 30k to drain/fill. If they replaced many hard parts, drop the pan and clean it out after 5k to catch any new wear metals. Early, extra maintenance pays big dividends later.
Every 18K miles I do a simple drain and fill. I do not replace all fluid at once but a steady diet of clean fluid keeps it all clean and doesn't allow contaminants to accumulate. OEM says 30K miles but in the grand scheme of things ATF really isn't that expensive.
Originally Posted By: Shrubitup
Every 18K miles I do a simple drain and fill. I do not replace all fluid at once but a steady diet of clean fluid keeps it all clean and doesn't allow contaminants to accumulate. OEM says 30K miles but in the grand scheme of things ATF really isn't that expensive.
+1. don't flush, just drain/refill often... if no drain plug, you could extract and refill ... I have over 500k miles on my original auto... 2.5 qts replaced every 30k
Every 18K miles I do a simple drain and fill. I do not replace all fluid at once but a steady diet of clean fluid keeps it all clean and doesn't allow contaminants to accumulate. OEM says 30K miles but in the grand scheme of things ATF really isn't that expensive.
+1. don't flush, just drain/refill often... if no drain plug, you could extract and refill ... I have over 500k miles on my original auto... 2.5 qts replaced every 30k
A highly regarded mechanic down the road advised against ATF changes too. Hard to argue against that when his mid 90's Super Duty Ford (used for literally everything) was nearing 300k on the original transmission.
The Jeep gets drain and fills yearly with a filter change every other year.
I just did a cooler line flush on her Volvo a few weeks ago. 150k with what I believe was the original fluid. It shifts so much better now. It took just over 13 quarts to get it back to where it was.
Volvo recommends a life fluid and way back when I was calling around, the dealer didn't even want to touch it. Said most people trade their cars in at 100k or less so the issue doesn't exist to their normal clientele. I bought a "British" repair manual for the car last week. Ill have to see what it recomends for fluid changes.
The Jeep gets drain and fills yearly with a filter change every other year.
I just did a cooler line flush on her Volvo a few weeks ago. 150k with what I believe was the original fluid. It shifts so much better now. It took just over 13 quarts to get it back to where it was.
Volvo recommends a life fluid and way back when I was calling around, the dealer didn't even want to touch it. Said most people trade their cars in at 100k or less so the issue doesn't exist to their normal clientele. I bought a "British" repair manual for the car last week. Ill have to see what it recomends for fluid changes.
Drain / refill every 30K miles.
No transmission flushed, just drain/refill.
No transmission flushed, just drain/refill.
I like 30K pan drops with a filter change and a fluid exchange.
I change the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles. I would suggest against a flush. I would think that would dislodge stuff. Our company trucks actually note transmission service every 30,000. No flushes.
I have heard of some garages saying that they never do a transmission fluid change for 100,000 miles and once they do, the transmission locks up. I don't really believe that. I've changed fluid at 100,000 miles and the transmission was much smoother shifting. Changing it at every 30,000. It's not as noticeable. Important on older Dodges is the band adjustment. It makes a big difference in your shift and longevity.
I do a drain and fill every oil change on the Cherokee. It is what I would consider severe abuse.
Every 10K, or once a year, with Maxlife on the Honda.
You can always pull a sample and get a UOA done. Even Amsoil says 100K or 50K severe for its ATF.
A Magnefine filter is always a good idea if there is no filter (like a spin-on).
Did they use synthetic ATF for the rebuilt transmission?
A Magnefine filter is always a good idea if there is no filter (like a spin-on).
Did they use synthetic ATF for the rebuilt transmission?
Originally Posted By: joel95ex
Originally Posted By: Shrubitup
Every 18K miles I do a simple drain and fill. I do not replace all fluid at once but a steady diet of clean fluid keeps it all clean and doesn't allow contaminants to accumulate. OEM says 30K miles but in the grand scheme of things ATF really isn't that expensive.
+1. don't flush, just drain/refill often... if no drain plug, you could extract and refill ... I have over 500k miles on my original auto... 2.5 qts replaced every 30k
500K on the original transmission is great.
Originally Posted By: Shrubitup
Every 18K miles I do a simple drain and fill. I do not replace all fluid at once but a steady diet of clean fluid keeps it all clean and doesn't allow contaminants to accumulate. OEM says 30K miles but in the grand scheme of things ATF really isn't that expensive.
+1. don't flush, just drain/refill often... if no drain plug, you could extract and refill ... I have over 500k miles on my original auto... 2.5 qts replaced every 30k
500K on the original transmission is great.
A 2001 Camaro I services had a 4L60E and the OM said the change the fluid and filter every 30,000. I read it twice.
I love the Cherokee's auto as exactly 1 gallon drains from the pan when the plug is pulled.
Clean fluid is better than dirty. Pretty wild ehh? Kira
I love the Cherokee's auto as exactly 1 gallon drains from the pan when the plug is pulled.
Clean fluid is better than dirty. Pretty wild ehh? Kira
The severe service for our Hyundai is 60k along with the coolant. So they will both get done then.
My Ram's 8 speed is a "lifetime" fill. But it will get done around the same mileage. Hope the price comes down over the next few years. The filter is part of the pan and is about $250. The ZF fluid is like $20 a quart.
My Ram's 8 speed is a "lifetime" fill. But it will get done around the same mileage. Hope the price comes down over the next few years. The filter is part of the pan and is about $250. The ZF fluid is like $20 a quart.
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