My 2007 Buick Lacrosse L26 has 138,000 miles and it has been 60,000 miles since last transmission service. I have had zero issues with the transmission; no leaks, good color, no burnt smell and always shifts good. Should I just do a filter and fluid change and nothing else?
Maintaining my GM 4T65E in a Buick LaCrosse
- Thread starter Treads
- Start date
More important than the filter is cleaning the pan and magnet(s). The fluid is likely saturated with magnetic material that will easily flow through the new or old filter. This material can be removed by magnet if they are clean and not loaded up with material.
Keep the magnets clean and everything else will work better, wear less and keep your fluid cleaner. Add extra magnets while you're in there if you can or are willing.
Keep the magnets clean and everything else will work better, wear less and keep your fluid cleaner. Add extra magnets while you're in there if you can or are willing.
If your transmission doesn't have a drain plug, get an aftermarket pan that has one. It will make future ATF changes MUCH easier 
It won't hurt.
Several mfgs have added magnets to the transmission during a revision or new model. I've noticed many in the 2010 era having two large donut magnets, but by 2015+ they have three. If the transmission was well designed then it should have sufficient magnet area and strength to offer enough protection but it will still need regular cleaning, more often during break-in, less often in later life (100k+).
In my experience adding double or triple the magnet area can be seen as buying time between cleaning and/or adding filtering efficiency. The transmission fluid can never be "too clean" (as stated by TCCN on YT) but you do need to be aware of where you place the magnets. Keep them away from the electric solenoids and look to where the fluid flows and where to OE magnets are located.
The more you add, the lower the fluid capacity, but the ability to pull screws and nails up from the road will prevent tire problems for you and those who follow your route.
What?????
If there's a pan with drain plug, add a magnetic drain plug -- Voila! magnet you can access without dropping the pan.
B&M used to sell a drain plug kit, maybe they still do? To add a drain plug where one was previously not.
You can ALSO invest in an oil extraction electric pump. Amazon or in the Lawn Mower section at places like Home Depot (does the same for cleaner oil changes on mowers, too, as with cars). Thin plastic tube goes in through the oil dipstick tube. Just need to ave a container ready for the old oil to go into! Once the atf is extracted, THEN can remove the oil pan.
From experience with the 4T65E, new fluid might not keep the shift solenoids from sticking/failing. On my 2000 Impala, after driving about an hour, the shifts would become "at full line pressure" but at the correct shift timing points. A known issue with that transmission family. A new OEM solenoid kit is usually a good bit under $100.00, but paying the labor to do the job can be much more. Other than that age-related issue, it is a good transmission.
You can ALSO invest in an oil extraction electric pump. Amazon or in the Lawn Mower section at places like Home Depot (does the same for cleaner oil changes on mowers, too, as with cars). Thin plastic tube goes in through the oil dipstick tube. Just need to ave a container ready for the old oil to go into! Once the atf is extracted, THEN can remove the oil pan.
From experience with the 4T65E, new fluid might not keep the shift solenoids from sticking/failing. On my 2000 Impala, after driving about an hour, the shifts would become "at full line pressure" but at the correct shift timing points. A known issue with that transmission family. A new OEM solenoid kit is usually a good bit under $100.00, but paying the labor to do the job can be much more. Other than that age-related issue, it is a good transmission.