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Transmission Fluid change or no?

Charles_P

Charles_P

Full Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
46
Location
Texas
Hey guys, I got my dads 04 avalanche as a graduation gift and now im doing a bunch of tuneups on it. But the big thing I've been putting off on is the the tranny fluid. my dad bought the car (used) at like 60-70k mile range and has not done a tranny fluid change since hes had it and doesn't know if it was ever done. now its at 101k miles, So Here's the question...Should I get it done or no? I was thinking yes even though the myth is to not do it over 100k mile.....but isn't that myth only for older cars now in days?
 
                      I purchased my 2005 with 113k. I changed the fluid,filter and had the system flushed. The fluid was black. The fluid is now pink and is shifting smoothly. The choice is yours.
 
There has been a lot of disasters after tranny flushes it pushes gunk and particles in to places they shouldn't go. I would just stick with a fluid and filter change, why risk it!
 

Charles_P  :wave:  :welcome:

[shadow=red,left]This one of the better reads on this.
http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,130458.0.html
JV[/shadow]
 
stogen said:
There has been a lot of disasters after tranny flushes it pushes gunk and particles in to places they shouldn't go. I would just stick with a fluid and filter change, why risk it!
Click to expand...


I agree.i was told by a friend that rebuilds trannys for a dealership to NEVER power flush a trans with more than 50k on it  just filter and fluid change.I do my filter every 50-60k and fluid about every 25k(= fluid 1 time a year and filter ever other) because we do a lot of towing and it gets a workout.not sure if the 1500 have a drain plug if not it is the best $9 mod for a trans and your hands and face will thank you later.I put drain in every trans i have that did not come stock with one.fluid change is good preventive maintenance and a lot cheaper than a $2500-4000 trans.
 
In Canadian figures, I change just tranny fluid at 80,000 kms and then at 160,000 kms everything gets dumped and the filter changed. I don't tow, but drive hilly areas.

In your case, I'd do it. When in doubt, change it out. Transmissions aren't cheap, an oil change is.
 
I just got 02 alvanlance with 16000 the Trans fluid is grey I was just gonns change fluid and filter is that good ?I'm not going to flush
 
Go ahead and change the fluid and filter.

But, to be honest, it's probably too late at this point.

Maybe this work will get you down the road long enough to save up for that rebuild that is coming.

Best of luck to you.
 
How much good would it do to just simply insert a long plastic tube into the dip stick tube, suck out the transmission fluid and add new? 2006 Avalanche LS
 
Avalanche Addict said:
How much good would it do to just simply insert a long plastic tube into the dip stick tube, suck out the transmission fluid and add new? 2006 Avalanche LS
Click to expand...

Won't hurt anything.

That will get you a partial fluid change like dropping the pan and changing the filter method, but without the benefit of having a new filter installed.

I would think if an owner did that on a regular basis and not just once in a blue moon, then the transmission would be appreciative.

Depending on the age of the truck, I would be inclined to do a pan drop, filter change and refill first and follow up with your described method as part of every oil change from then on out.

Like I said, couldn't hurt.
 
I bought a b&m deep transmission pan for my 07 lt 4x4. Should help keep cooler temperature towing as more volume fluid to heat & cooling ribs on pan exterior lol. The two drain plugs sold me I wish manufacturers would bring back transmission pan drain plug.
Color of fluid tells if needs new, I don't like flush myself. I'd rather change filter & fluid then after few days driving second fluid change.
Why drain plugs should still be stock I think.
I'm debating if I should pay for rebuild on mine, or just order new/refabricated one if it goes out.
 
Allot of people have reported problems after a "Trans Flush" at the dealer. A "Trans Flush" at the dealer uses high pressure and some believe it dislodges dirt and grime damaging the trans.. That article explains it pretty good.

If you want to change your trans fluid 100 percent then find a shop or oil change only shop that uses a "Fluid Exchange" machine which only recovers the old fluid and puts in new at the same pressure, same direction. This is how I've changed the fluid in all the automatics I've had over the years and have never had a problem or heard of any problems doing this way.

You get almost 100 percent new fluid in the trans and torque converter which to me what is needed especially if you tow and/or the fluid is black or burned.. It cost around a hundred bucks, more if you bring your oil like I do (they usually don't give you a discount using your oil). Then after that's done drop the pan and change the filter, top it off and your go to go for the next ?00,000 miles.

By the way the manual says (on a 2002 anyway) 50,000 miles for fluid and filter, it also says you can go 100,000 if you don't tow, drive in city traffic over 90 deg., drive hilly or mountainous terrain or uses as found in taxi, police or delivery service.


My 2500 has 280,000 miles, I've changed the trans fluid and filter about every 50,000 miles and have not had any problems... Knock, Knock on wood..
 
Avalanche Addict said:
How much good would it do to just simply insert a long plastic tube into the dip stick tube, suck out the transmission fluid and add new? 2006 Avalanche LS
Click to expand...
I've removed fluid via the dip stick tube before dropping the pan on the avy and other rides, it makes much less mess. You won't get as much fluid as a pan drop if you're just doing the dip stick removal but it's better than no change at all.
 
Last edited:
2500s have a drain plug so it easier to drop the pan and change filter.
 
My 2003 has a drain plug :) I would never do a "flush" unless it was a new vehicle and a flush was done for each and every "change" from the first one, and at intervals less than 50K miles. I always drop the pan, change the filter and fluid. My last 4l60e had 267K miles when I sold the truck, never touched the trany other than the filter and fluid changes.
 
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