Drain-and-fill before or after towing break-in?

[ABerns]

I have a 2011 Chevy Traverse (well, my wife has it) with 36k miles on it so far. I was planning a transmission drain-and-fill around 50k miles, and intend to do some towing afterwards. The manual says I should do a break-in for towing initially, keeping my speed low.

So my question -- should I go out and do some towing just to finish the break-in before the change? Or should I do the break-in on some fresh fluid? Or change it, tow for break-in, change again? Seems a little excessive, but I want to do what's best.

Thanks!

 

[Rand]

I'd say that its pretty broken in with 36000 miles.

wouldnt worry too much about it.

I would change the fluid now to get all the initial wear particles and contamination out.

if you are just doing a pan drop or a drain plug drain(does it have one?)

then its reasonable to drain and fill now.. and then again in a year or so.. you will only get 40-60% out with a drain and fill.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: Rand
I'd say that its pretty broken in with 36000 miles.

wouldnt worry too much about it.

I would change the fluid now to get all the initial wear particles and contamination out.

if you are just doing a pan drop or a drain plug drain(does it have one?)

then its reasonable to drain and fill now.. and then again in a year or so.. you will only get 40-60% out with a drain and fill.


+1

 

[ABerns]

Cool, that's what I'll do, then - a drain and refill now, and then another in a year or so. Manual calls for 100k mile service for normal, 50k for severe. No towing as of yet, but I'd rather do more-frequent drain-and-fills then a full flush at the dealership. Who knows what kind of quality they have.

I think it has a drain plug. I'll be posting a pic of what I think is the drain plug soon, both on this board and on the Traverse forums just so I'm sure. It looks like this (which is a drain plug according to online parts suppliers):

I know it doesn't have a filter that you can reach without splitting the transmission, so there's no benefit of a pan-drop vs. a simple drain.

 

[JTK]

Agree. 36Kmi is about the perfect point to do an ATF drain/fill. You'll get the majority of the wear materials out.

Joel

 

[ABerns]

Originally Posted By: Rand
I'd say that its pretty broken in with 36000 miles.


Does this mean also that you would skip the towing break-in recommendations and just tow like I intend to normally?

 

[lexus114]

J/K What is the tow rating on the Traverse? My RX is 3500lbs. It appears to be 5,200lbs. Seems a bit excessive to me for the same size vehicle. Also, do you have a trans cooler? If your going to tow anything, I would make sure it has one.

 

[mechtech2]

They are talking about a brand new vehicle [, concerning break n for towing.
You are already there.
For a trans, I really like a full synthetic fluid. They abound in availability. Esp so for towing.

 

[ABerns]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
J/K What is the tow rating on the Traverse? My RX is 3500lbs. It appears to be 5,200lbs. Seems a bit excessive to me for the same size vehicle. Also, do you have a trans cooler? If your going to tow anything, I would make sure it has one.


Indeed it is 5200 lbs. We have the towing (V92) package, which includes a transmission cooler.

 

[mechtech2]

Don't forget to adjust your tire pressure, too.
Got a trans temp gauge? It would be handy. Maybe a plug in reader at the port?