Changing Transmission Oil

[edgaranah1]

So as my Yukon is reaching 86K miles I wanted to give it a real good tune -up. Spark Plugs, Wires, and a Transmission flush but I have a question. my uncle swears that if the transmission oil is nice and clean and you change it it will somehow "damage" the transmission? I highly doubt it but you never know right? So how many of you guys have gotten a Transmission flush? My local dealer offers this service for like 80 bucks or so which I think is not bad at all.


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[SBCT]

$80 sounds like a great deal. I paid something like $160 for new filter and fluid on my dodge ram at the dealer last year.

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[fire730]

A simple spill and fill and filter replacement is good enough. Plus your fluid should still be pretty good since it comes factory filled with synthetic trans fluid.

Most people flush the trans and dont change the filter so the crap gets pushed out the filter and then later it will clog it up again.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Your uncle is part right. On older vehicles (especially high mileage ones) that was true. Changing the fluid at 150k on a 85 Caprice will end up causing problems in SN an otherwise fine transmission. Probably because new fluid loosened up gunk or sludge that would end up causing even more harm.
And I would steer clear of those flush machines at shops. Most people never even flush a transmission until it starts slipping, and hope a flush will fix it. Then they hook that same machine with the lines full of debris from the previous car up to your truck. **** that!
A routine fluid drain, and filter change will be more than sufficient. You don't need to flush it.

 

[Big Bad Allis]

You should change the fluid. As a lubricant engineer specifically automotive you can never tell if fluid is bad just by looking at it. Transmission fluid does not get black and dirty like engine oil. The base stocks and additives do become depleted over time. With ATF there are a lot of elements that come into a perfectly balanced formula. ATF have friction modifiers/improvers that make the transmission operate as designed. As they become depleted they will not work as well. If you do just a drain and filter change you will not get all of the old fluid out. IF your dealer is using a flush machine it actually pushes all of the old fluid out and replaces it with new fluid. A proper fluid exchange and new filter should be all you need to do. Just make sure your dealer is not taking short cuts and using cheap ATF. Most dealer use AC Delco Dexron VI. There are some dealers out there using cheap off spec ATF and motor oils.

Some dealers call a Transmission Flush a service when they actually sell you on a Chemical Service Flush. They use products such as VPS (Valvoline Professional Service), MOC, BG or something else. The main benefit to these is the warranty that comes with the service. Usually they will offer a 250,000 warranty or VPS even offers a lifetime now if you start the services by 36,000 miles. Up to $4,000.00 parts and labor coverage.

At 80K miles a fluid exchange and filter replacement would be perfect. Use the AC Delco Dex VI or something life a Maxlife ATF.

 

[edgaranah1]

Thanks guys so I guess I'll just change the oil and filter NO flush right? What else would be good to change at 86K miles I have just done Oil since new and it's an 07.

 

[Geauxturbo]

Differential fluid. Make your gears happy. I believe the hoe uses synthetic 75w-90. Its in the owners manual.

Tire monitors typically start dying at 100k or 5 years. May want to change them out ahead of time.

Clean and silicone(spray lube) your window channels to keep your electric windows operating smoothly.

Lube door hinges

Check steering components (ball joints and tie rod ends) replace if loose.

New batteries in key remotes?

Check you driveshaft ujoints for spinning caps.

All i can think of.

 

[Goodinblack]

I have never, and never would flush a transmission.

You will find the pan is difficult to remove due to the exhaust being there.

 

[edgaranah1]

Differential fluid. Make your gears happy. I believe the hoe uses synthetic 75w-90. Its in the owners manual.

Tire monitors typically start dying at 100k or 5 years. May want to change them out ahead of time.

Clean and silicone(spray lube) your window channels to keep your electric windows operating smoothly.

Lube door hinges

Check steering components (ball joints and tie rod ends) replace if loose.

New batteries in key remotes?

Check you driveshaft ujoints for spinning caps.

All i can think of.

Thanks for reminding me of differential fluid I will probably have time today to change all of them out.

 

[jcrack_corn]

I have never, and never would flush a transmission.

You will find the pan is difficult to remove due to the exhaust being there.

you can wrap a motorcycle/tie down strap around it, then around the frame crossmember....slowly ratchet it and you can get the 1/4" or so you need to get the pan out and back in....you are just encouraging the stainless flex connection to move you you want it.

to OP, while you have the pan out, put a drain plug in it....then you can forget out about filter after the first change and you should be good well into the 1xx,*** miles with just the fluid drain/fills.....