2018 Tahoe RST Questions

[jrock20jones]

I have a 2018 Chevy Tahoe RST with the 6.2L and 10 speed transmission. Currently at 129,000 miles. Bought it used from dealership at 116,000 miles last year. While they had it, it had a lot of work done including new camshaft and lifters, new Magnaride shocks front and back, new brakes and rotors, spark plugs and coil packs, and engine mounts.

I asked about the transmission and at that time, a technician recommended it to do anything to it as it didn’t have any regular service intervals in their system. I remember looking in the manual and nothing was said there about servicing it either. Service records shows services on the front/rear diffs and transfer case, but not transmission.

Fast forward to this past week. I had been smelling an intermittent coolant smell that happens when I’m driving it. I couldn’t find anything leaking so I took it to my local GMC deal shop. Their tech pressure tested it and couldn’t find anything either. The interesting thing is he recommended a transmission fluid service along with replacing my oil cooler lines. It seems that the advice now on that year of 10 speed transmission is to service them.

My questions:
Does this transmission fluid service recommendation make sense? At 129,000 miles, it seems too late to do this (I already had in my head it would most likely need a new transmission or something at the 150000 or so - I’ve had 4 Chevys so no stranger to that). Should I let it be or go ahead with the trans fluid service?

Also, anyone experience anyone similar with the coolant smell? I saw the TSB on the thermostat/radiator issue but it didn’t apply to vehicles 2018 and up. Anyone else experience this issue?

 

[RST Dana]

I have a 2018 Chevy Tahoe RST with the 6.2L and 10 speed transmission. Currently at 129,000 miles. Bought it used from dealership at 116,000 miles last year. While they had it, it had a lot of work done including new camshaft and lifters, new Magnaride shocks front and back, new brakes and rotors, spark plugs and coil packs, and engine mounts.

I asked about the transmission and at that time, a technician recommended it to do anything to it as it didn’t have any regular service intervals in their system. I remember looking in the manual and nothing was said there about servicing it either. Service records shows services on the front/rear diffs and transfer case, but not transmission.

Fast forward to this past week. I had been smelling an intermittent coolant smell that happens when I’m driving it. I couldn’t find anything leaking so I took it to my local GMC deal shop. Their tech pressure tested it and couldn’t find anything either. The interesting thing is he recommended a transmission fluid service along with replacing my oil cooler lines. It seems that the advice now on that year of 10 speed transmission is to service them.

My questions:
Does this transmission fluid service recommendation make sense? At 129,000 miles, it seems too late to do this (I already had in my head it would most likely need a new transmission or something at the 150000 or so - I’ve had 4 Chevys so no stranger to that). Should I let it be or go ahead with the trans fluid service?

Also, anyone experience anyone similar with the coolant smell? I saw the TSB on the thermostat/radiator issue but it didn’t apply to vehicles 2018 and up. Anyone else experience this issue?

UH, there are different schools of thought about the 10 speed trans fluid. Some dealers will say it has "lifetime" fluid, but for less than a grand, will be happy to change it for you. Others, as well as the owners manual will indicate it needs to be changed. Unless the selling dealer offered some type of lifetime powertrain warranty, OR, you have extra fruit jars buried out back packed full of Franklins, you should consider a change asap, OR, start shopping for a new warrantied tranny.