Trans filter change or not: high-mileage 2010 Yukon Denali

[2010GMCYD]

I know there are competing views on changing (or not) the trans fluid on a high mileage vehicle (200k+). I'm leaning towards not, as last trans services was at 140k and I currently have no trans issues. My question is: should I just change the trans filter? Or is there some argument against that as well?

 

[wsteele]

I change my fluid and filter every 30K. I do it because the guy who installed my current transmission said that is what he recommended. He did say he didn’t like the flush approach, just drop the pan, replace the filter, refill with enough fluid to bring it back up to recommended levels.

Truth be told, when he recommended the 30K interval, I had been towing a lot and I think his recommended interval was based on that. I suspect he would tell me 50K on the change and filter with my very limited towing these days.

I stayed with the 30K just because it seems like cheap insurance.

 

[marleysbeard]

I know there are competing views on changing (or not) the trans fluid on a high mileage vehicle (200k+). I'm leaning towards not, as last trans services was at 140k and I currently have no trans issues. My question is: should I just change the trans filter? Or is there some argument against that as well?

I've done a good deal of research on this also and its a bit of a crap shoot. I've read that even a simple fluid change can stir stuff up. At this point from what I've read I likely wont touch the transmission on my 160k Tahoe since it hasn't been done since 50k and its currently shifting perfectly. Whether or not I'm making the right choice depends who you ask.

 

[89Suburban]

I did two 3 quart transfusions over the past 6 months on my 330K truck. So far so good.

 

[Big Mama]

My transmission guy won’t flush if there’s anything going on. He’ll do a fluid/filter change and look around while he’s in there. I did a flush at 100k no issues in last 40k.

 

[swathdiver]

I know there are competing views on changing (or not) the trans fluid on a high mileage vehicle (200k+). I'm leaning towards not, as last trans services was at 140k and I currently have no trans issues. My question is: should I just change the trans filter? Or is there some argument against that as well?

These are not Turbo 350s, they can and should be properly serviced to keep the solenoids from tearing apart. It's been 60K since the last fluid change, I would say you are safe to do it again. Mine has been changed twice now by me and the pan has never been off. Next scheduled service is due at around 190K and I promised to drop the pan and change the filter then! Will still replace all of the fluid.

Now, I was getting a little ahead of myself up there in that last paragraph. How does the fluid look and smell? Is it still red or starting to turn brown or brown? Does it smell burnt?

These transmissions self-adjust and a Tech-2 can force an adapts procedure to re-adjust the whole enchilada should it become necessary. We really only do it after a major repair or a tune.

FYI: The manuals refer to dropping the pan and replacing the filter. The shop manual no longer recommends or says this is necessary. Old habits die hard for us DIYers, myself included.

On this and other forums, we see them fail at around 165K if they've never been serviced before, the solenoids need rebuilding which can be done on your kitchen table without removing the transmission. We are seeing them easily run into the 300K mile range and saw one the other day that drove into the shop for an overhaul with 410K on it. The weak link is not the transmission, but rather the torque converter when the trucks are raced or tow regularly, the clutches do fail because of the thin material of the case which then passes through the transmission and ruins everything.

This same transmission is used in the K2s (2015-2020 wagons and 2014-2019 pickups) and many of them fail at around 100K because GM put thermostats on them so they are at 195 degrees all the time which kills them. That and the fact that people don't change the fluids as often as they should (40K).

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Change the filter and whatever fluid it needs to top it off after.

 

[Bill 1960]

My opinion it is an old wives tale that fluid or filter change damages old transmissions. Probably because so many people have done no maintenance until the tranny starts showing signs of failure, and THEN they do a fluid change and say a prayer.

When it fails they blame the new fluid, when that trans was already on it’s way out from neglect.

 

[2010GMCYD]

I did two 3 quart transfusions over the past 6 months on my 330K truck. So far so good.

330k. Wowza. How often has the trans been serviced prior to that?

 

[donjetman]

New fluid and filter.