My GM 4L60E experiment with DexVI

[PT1]

I have been swapping out 2-3 qts of DEXVI with a fluid extractor on my GM SUV every 10,000 miles since new to see how this will effect trans life. I plan to follow the book and drop the pan at 50k to change the filter. Some people have recommended the pan drop at 30k while the truck is still under warranty just to make sure there is no mechanical garbage in there that would need to be repaired. What say you all to this strategy versus the trans flush method and pan drop at 50k?

 

[MrCritical]

Which GM SUV and what year?

 

[JTK]

Your plan is much more than what your typical owner would do. The only magic of DEXVI is the capability of extended drains. The 4L60E is a tried and true GM trans, not known to be that awful on ATF. If too much power is pounded through it, it will fail early just like any AT. Some early 2000 models had issues with shredding the reaction shell/sun gear and I've seen some Trailblazer SS's literally blow up the supposed beefier 4L70E. ATF wouldn't necessarily prevent these type of mechanical failures.

 

[PT1]

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Which GM SUV and what year?

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2006 YukonXL Denali AWD 6.0L/4L60E

 

[Cutehumor]

I like this method instead of waiting 50k to flush

 

[Donald]

I think a pan drop a few hundred miles before the warranty is up is prudent and cheap insurance. I think your method to replenish the ATF is a good method and provides new ATF and removes wear metals.

For really long life consider synthetic ATF and a Magnefine filter.

For long transmission life you want to keep the wear metals down in the ATF that is running around your AT (Magnefine filter) and either replenish the ATF on a regular basis or use synthetic and extend things.

 

[another Todd]

What good does dropping the pan do under warrantee. If you find metal particles they will say thats completely normal. But later (out of warrantee) if they drop the pan and see the exact same thing---rut row, sir you need a new transmission.

 

[The Critic]

See WhiteWolf's posts regarding DexVI. The fluid is good for 100k miles, easily.

 

[unDummy]

Easily? Wheres the UOA proof?

Its smart to maintain your transmission. Siphon/refilling 30 quarts of ATF spread over 100k is pretty cheap insurance.

The question isn't whether a fluid can go 100k easily. The question is whether the transmission can go further with better maintenance vs. minimal maintenance.

Lack of maintenance and overly high ATF flush intervals are very common. How many transmission shops are in your yellow pages?

 

[The Critic]

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Easily? Wheres the UOA proof?

Its smart to maintain your transmission. Siphon/refilling 30 quarts of ATF spread over 100k is pretty cheap insurance.

The question isn't whether a fluid can go 100k easily. The question is whether the transmission can go further with better maintenance vs. minimal maintenance.

Lack of maintenance and overly high ATF flush intervals are very common. How many transmission shops are in your yellow pages?

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Where's the UOA proof?

I trust OEM testing over anything from B/S, OAI, etc.

Transmissions are designed to live for X number of miles. Changing the fluid at every oil change won't triple its life.

Sure, I guess fluid changes are cheap entertainment, but you still haven't provided me with any proof that excessive, unnecessary, and wasteful maintenance has always increased the life of any transmission.

 

[unDummy]

If OEM testing was good, recalls, TSBs, and new fluid specs would not exist. Thats what you trust??

I've tripled the life of various transmissions with maintenance. It works for me and vehicles that I maintain.

 

[The Critic]

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If OEM testing was good, recalls, TSBs, and new fluid specs would not exist. Thats what you trust??

I've tripled the life of various transmissions with maintenance. It works for me and vehicles that I maintain.

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It's called continuous improvement. We will always produce better products in the future.

OEM service intervals have gotten my family and I to 200k+ without problems. I don't want the car for more than 200k anyway.

 

[Cutehumor]

200k is 20 years for you critic, eh?

 

[PT1]

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What good does dropping the pan do under warrantee. If you find metal particles they will say thats completely normal. But later (out of warrantee) if they drop the pan and see the exact same thing---rut row, sir you need a new transmission.

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You are exactly right about that "typical" dealer response. They will only repair your trans under warranty if it fails under warranty. Most of my engineering cohorts in the powertrain arena agree that debris suspended in lubricating oil and/or depleted additives contribute to most engine & transmission failures outside of plain abusive operation. If your trans makes it past 3000 miles without symptoms it is likely a good one and simple lubrication maintainance is the easiest and most cost effective way a consumer can protect their investment.