ATF change @ 18000mi ?

[New]

Hi,

I went to the GM dealer today for some service. My Buick has just passed 18,000mi and the tech suggested an ATF flush. I told him the book says ATF flush @ 100,000mi or more (like never).
He said the GM techies always recommend ATF flushes @18,000-20,000mi
Am I missing something ?

 

[Eddie]

Not out of your wallet. Just follow your owner manual and you'll not go wrong. personally I follow the severe matainence schedual regardless for the engine & transmission

 

[cousincletus]

I change mine every 30K miles.

 

[adam123]

I change the first fill out at 15K then its a pan drop every 25K.

 

[mgm13]

typical dealer "profit maker", 18k is so much B.S. it ain't even funny-save your money"

 

[road_rascal]

I evacuate 6-7 qts of ATF fluid out of both of my Fords annually and replace with fresh instead of flushing (12 qts total capacity). I also replace the filter every 30K. Easy to do with a fluid vac.

 

[Ken2]

Your new GM transmission has Dexron-VI. It is very long lived. If you wish, at 50,000 miles you could send a sample to a testing lab. For about $20 you'll get a report on the quality of the fluid.

The GM transmissions for the last couple of years had Dexron-III(H) which has a change recommendation of 100,000 miles under severe service. I wouldn't run that, but I would send a sample to a lab.

Now you know why they're called stealerships. That service writer thinks you're stupider than he is.


Ken

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken2:
Your new GM transmission has Dexron-VI. It is very long lived.
Ken

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Ken, my newish GM manual transmission car (build date of 12 Apr 06) has either Dex III(H) or DEX VI.

The grapevine says it has VI, but the tag on the trans and the owners manual both say III. How can I tell if I got VI?

 

[The Critic]

Some of the GM manual transmissions are being filled with Dex IIIH for the time being, not sure why.

What GM vehicle did you purchase?

 

[JohnBrowning]

It is normaly a good idea to change ATF or Gear Lube out after 10,000 miles of operation on a new transmission,transfer case or diff.! It gets the accelerated wear metals out. I always drop the pan on anything I own after 10,000 miles and chage the fluid and any filters. After that it is usualy 24,000 miles for manuals that I own and 30,000 for automatics. Now if you were a customer I would be happy if I could get you come to me at least every 50,000 miles for ATF service.

Now you have to take each vechile into consideration. My mothers Tundra has a drain plug in the pan and only drops 4 quarts per drain. It does not have a user serviceable transmission filter either. In her case we follow the OCI recomended by the Toyota mechanic of 15,000-18,000 mile. We use Mobil-1 ATF. Her Tundra calls for Dex-III.

While transmissions are sealed units and are not exposed to combustion gas's they still need new fluid from time to time. All fluids oxidize,shear and leave behind deposits. The only way to stay ahead is to change the fluid before it is bad.