flush or drain the pan

[hpracing10]

Its about time to do a fluid change on the transmission in my Silverado. I usually just drain the pan, and then replace with about 6 qts of new fluid and call it good. At the last service interval, I did a homemade flush using the transmission cooling lines. I exchanged all of the old fluid out for new that way.

Would it be better for me to do a complete fluid exchange each time or since I have just flushed it all out 60k miles ago, is it ok to just drain the pan?

 

[demarpaint]

I always like to drop the pan and get the junk that settled out, and that the magnet picked up. Then shortly after I do a line flush. With 60K since the last service I'd do both. Over kill maybe but the cost of a transmission in a 4x4 is crazy.

 

[SargeBB]

You'll get a lot of different opinions. My take is that if you're going to service the automatic transmission every 60,000 miles, then do a 'homemade' flush, as you call it, every time. If, however, your A/T has a drain plug, then pan drains every 15,000 to 25,000 miles (depending on vehicle usage) should be sufficient.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: SargeBB
You'll get a lot of different opinions. My take is that if you're going to service the automatic transmission every 60,000 miles, then do a 'homemade' flush, as you call it, every time. If, however, your A/T has a drain plug, then pan drains every 15,000 to 25,000 miles (depending on vehicle usage) should be sufficient.


I agree. Usually, if you post about wanting to do something you'll probably end up doing it unless some one on here can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that there's a better way. : )

IMO, I'd simply drain and refill at shorter intervals.

 

[JTK]

For me it depends on how accessible the pan and cooler lines are. If you can get the pan off once or twice in the units life for a fluid service you're good to go IMO. Some Chebby trucks need x-members or exhaust dropped in order to do this. Not worth the hassle to do that more than once. I've only found an appreciable amount of debris in the pan on the 1st drop. Very little in the second. Definitely not enough to warrant a 3rd.

Joel

 

[DieselTech]

I vote doing both if the interval is 60K not sure if the year your servicing has a filter but changing it would be a good idea as would be adding a magnafine