Trans fluid intervals
- Thread starter jimmy87
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What kind of use does the truck see? Also what engine/trans? 4L60E or the 6-speed? I would think about 100K on the filter, but fluid changes should be done much more frequently than that.
A pan drop won't get a majority of fluid out. If the truck will only have pan drops done, I'd probably do a 15K mile interval to make sure it gets fresh fluid over time.
Personally, I like flushes on a 30K interval or shorter if the trans is seeing more severe use. You know all the fluid is getting changed, and doing a flush is actually less labor intensive than a pan drop.
A pan drop won't get a majority of fluid out. If the truck will only have pan drops done, I'd probably do a 15K mile interval to make sure it gets fresh fluid over time.
Personally, I like flushes on a 30K interval or shorter if the trans is seeing more severe use. You know all the fluid is getting changed, and doing a flush is actually less labor intensive than a pan drop.
with no towing I would personally do a pan drop and filter change at 30k then every 20k. This is what I've done on every AT I've ever owned and never had a problem with any of them and they all had between 100-150k when sold.
I have the 4l60e, it's mainly a daily driver very little towing. 15k you say, no flushes for me, I know about half the fluid gets stuck in the tc, unfortunately I don't have a drain plug on my transmission so if I'm going to swap fluid might as well do the filter, just undecided on the interval. Owners manual recommends 100k normal 50k severe, gm doesn't recomend flushes. I'm not going to do 50k intervals seems a bit to long, I go through tons of stop n go traffic, and right now in Texas it's hot, any more suggestions, help me out guys!
To clarify, by flush I mean changing all of the fluid using the vehicle's own fluid pump. Not using flush chemicals or anything that would "force" ATF through the transmission. A cooler line flush would have no ill effects and change all of the fluid.
I agree that 50K is too long, though many 4L60Es have survived on a much longer interval if they got a change at all.
I would look into an aftermarket pan with a drain plug or adding a drain plug yourself. IIRC, it is/was a pretty common thing for people to add a plug to the 4L60E pan. Derale makes a 4L60E pan with a drain plug and cooling tubes.
I agree that 50K is too long, though many 4L60Es have survived on a much longer interval if they got a change at all.
I would look into an aftermarket pan with a drain plug or adding a drain plug yourself. IIRC, it is/was a pretty common thing for people to add a plug to the 4L60E pan. Derale makes a 4L60E pan with a drain plug and cooling tubes.
Do a shadetree mechanic cooling line flush. Go with Amsoil ATF. Magnefine filter. Change the filter in the pan and then do not worry about it a lot as the Magnefine will take care of most of the crud. Amsoil is good for 50K or more.
I've always been a 50k interval kinda guy and never had a failure.
Originally Posted By: jimmy87
What service interval do you guys recommend on 2011 gmc Sierra transmission? I'm talking pan drop filter,fluid,gasket.
My trusted mom and pop shop has me on a schedule that i like, every 30,000 it gets 1 of 2 operations, either a line flush fluid swap, and then the next go around 30,000 later it gets a pan drop with filter ect.. Ryan owner of the shop states that a pan drop only gets around 1/3 of the fluid out but a full flush is not necessary. and that a new filter is not necessary every 30,000.
What service interval do you guys recommend on 2011 gmc Sierra transmission? I'm talking pan drop filter,fluid,gasket.
My trusted mom and pop shop has me on a schedule that i like, every 30,000 it gets 1 of 2 operations, either a line flush fluid swap, and then the next go around 30,000 later it gets a pan drop with filter ect.. Ryan owner of the shop states that a pan drop only gets around 1/3 of the fluid out but a full flush is not necessary. and that a new filter is not necessary every 30,000.
But an aftermarket pan with drain plug and do a d/f every 15k for ease of mind. Change the filter every other or third d/f.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
To clarify, by flush I mean changing all of the fluid using the vehicle's own fluid pump. Not using flush chemicals or anything that would "force" ATF through the transmission. A cooler line flush would have no ill effects and change all of the fluid.
I agree that 50K is too long, though many 4L60Es have survived on a much longer interval if they got a change at all.
I would look into an aftermarket pan with a drain plug or adding a drain plug yourself. IIRC, it is/was a pretty common thing for people to add a plug to the 4L60E pan. Derale makes a 4L60E pan with a drain plug and cooling tubes.
Hey that derale pan looks pretty neat, I like the cooling tubes
To clarify, by flush I mean changing all of the fluid using the vehicle's own fluid pump. Not using flush chemicals or anything that would "force" ATF through the transmission. A cooler line flush would have no ill effects and change all of the fluid.
I agree that 50K is too long, though many 4L60Es have survived on a much longer interval if they got a change at all.
I would look into an aftermarket pan with a drain plug or adding a drain plug yourself. IIRC, it is/was a pretty common thing for people to add a plug to the 4L60E pan. Derale makes a 4L60E pan with a drain plug and cooling tubes.
Hey that derale pan looks pretty neat, I like the cooling tubes
A pump out with a MityVac 7201 is an option also if you just want to refresh the ATF.
Do they not have a drain plug? Seems like it'd be pretty easy to do during an oil change.
Originally Posted By: dubie2003
But an aftermarket pan with drain plug and do a d/f every 15k for ease of mind. Change the filter every other or third d/f.
I considered this.. 15k is a little excessive in my opinion, Your not getting close to your moneys worth out of the fluids
But an aftermarket pan with drain plug and do a d/f every 15k for ease of mind. Change the filter every other or third d/f.
I considered this.. 15k is a little excessive in my opinion, Your not getting close to your moneys worth out of the fluids
If the OEM is suggesting 50-100K service, it's likely a full synthetic heavy duty fluid... Synthetic transmission fluid really can go the long haul...
Originally Posted By: WMSmotorhead
If the OEM is suggesting 50-100K service, it's likely a full synthetic heavy duty fluid... Synthetic transmission fluid really can go the long haul...
Far from synthetic it is a good upgrade from DEX III but is it DEX VI and it is a synthetic blend.
DEX VI
cSt @ 40ºC 29.5
cSt @ 100ºC 5.83
cP @ -40ºC 11,500
Viscosity Index 145
Flash Point, ºC (ºF) 220 (428)
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
cSt @ 40º C 34
cSt @ 100º C 7.6
-cP @ -40º C 5190
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 199
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 236.
If the OEM is suggesting 50-100K service, it's likely a full synthetic heavy duty fluid... Synthetic transmission fluid really can go the long haul...
Far from synthetic it is a good upgrade from DEX III but is it DEX VI and it is a synthetic blend.
DEX VI
cSt @ 40ºC 29.5
cSt @ 100ºC 5.83
cP @ -40ºC 11,500
Viscosity Index 145
Flash Point, ºC (ºF) 220 (428)
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
cSt @ 40º C 34
cSt @ 100º C 7.6
-cP @ -40º C 5190
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 199
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 236.
Note that a 2011 likely has the 4L65E, a greatly improved model over the 4l60E.
OtisBLKR1 got it right. I've raised and worn out a lot of Silverados in fleet use. I like to drop the pan at or before 30k miles and then flush at 60k miles, alternating. Exchanging the fluid is the best way to get that high end Dex VI to replace ALL the old fluid but is no substitute for a filter change!
OtisBLKR1 got it right. I've raised and worn out a lot of Silverados in fleet use. I like to drop the pan at or before 30k miles and then flush at 60k miles, alternating. Exchanging the fluid is the best way to get that high end Dex VI to replace ALL the old fluid but is no substitute for a filter change!
Originally Posted By: dave1251
Originally Posted By: WMSmotorhead
If the OEM is suggesting 50-100K service, it's likely a full synthetic heavy duty fluid... Synthetic transmission fluid really can go the long haul...
Far from synthetic it is a good upgrade from DEX III but is it DEX VI and it is a synthetic blend.
DEX VI
cSt @ 40ºC 29.5
cSt @ 100ºC 5.83
cP @ -40ºC 11,500
Viscosity Index 145
Flash Point, ºC (ºF) 220 (428)
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
cSt @ 40º C 34
cSt @ 100º C 7.6
-cP @ -40º C 5190
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 199
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 236.
Well is valvoline Dexron 6 full synthetic (that's what the bottle says) or is it one of those oils/fluids that meets the criteria is not full synthetic and is allowed to use the term "full synthetic"
Originally Posted By: WMSmotorhead
If the OEM is suggesting 50-100K service, it's likely a full synthetic heavy duty fluid... Synthetic transmission fluid really can go the long haul...
Far from synthetic it is a good upgrade from DEX III but is it DEX VI and it is a synthetic blend.
DEX VI
cSt @ 40ºC 29.5
cSt @ 100ºC 5.83
cP @ -40ºC 11,500
Viscosity Index 145
Flash Point, ºC (ºF) 220 (428)
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
cSt @ 40º C 34
cSt @ 100º C 7.6
-cP @ -40º C 5190
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 199
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 236.
Well is valvoline Dexron 6 full synthetic (that's what the bottle says) or is it one of those oils/fluids that meets the criteria is not full synthetic and is allowed to use the term "full synthetic"
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