Tranmission Fluid flush and filter change

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J B pdt

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How often do you get your transmission fluid changed out and filter changed?
 

gat0r

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45k is interval for severe duty schedule on trans fluid.
normal is around 97k

i'll do my filter @~70-75k
 

Bob2C

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Did mine @24k. Wanted factory fill out. Changed about 10qts to AMSOIL ATF. 10k miles later. No issues. Smooth. Might be overkill but it’s cheap insurance IMO


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smokey_mountain

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Another option is to send ATF in for UOA and see what they say. Visual and sniff test is not reliable, factory fill ATF in my 2020 truck at 17.5K looked dark brown almost black on a probe and this truck does not even tow but it has severe short trip regimen due to COVID with twice a month of 5-6 hours of highway. If severe driving is at 45K miles then that ATF will look pitch black, but perhaps UOA will still be perfectly acceptable. UOA is an only way to know.
 

SuperOldSchool

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BG1988

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Last edited:

Bob2C

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you used this one correct?


OE Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid OTL - AMSOIL


mine has a drain plug on it makes it easier but I would still have it taken off and change both filters on it...
I used this one. Little more expensive but I think it’s worth it. I have about 15k miles on the oil and it’s still cherry red



https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-series-fuel-efficient-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid-atl/


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Fless

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Yeah not Dexron 6

spec for
GM DEXRON* II, DEXRON* III, AutoTrak II


Wrong, Brent. @Bob2C listed the Fuel Efficient version:

upload_2021-5-4_0-42-10.png
 

Shipyard

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Yesterday I just did just a first flush on a 2016 with 6L80 at 50k miles. I used method where the transmission’s pump does the work using the return line and Hayden 397 fitting/hose. About 14 qts resulted in much cleaner fluid cycling through. I plan to flush again at 75k miles and again with a filter change at around 100k.

Theres lots of videos and threads out there for a DIY flush, but one confusing thing for this year/model (2016 with 6L80 without towing package or aux cooler) was figuring out what line/fitting on the trucks trans cooling system to use… some hook up at the thermostat. For mine, the return line fitting is in a tight spot on the drivers side on the bottom of the radiator. Also the line needs to come off the close-by hanger as it’s pulled out of the female fitting.

Also… With mine warmed up to 180, I didn’t have any fluid pumping out of the pulled off line (because of the thermostat) in addition to the discharge hose. I did have a hose on that line too though, just in case.
 

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Bob2C

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Yesterday I just did just a first flush on a 2016 with 6L80 at 50k miles. I used method where the transmission’s pump does the work using the return line and Hayden 397 fitting/hose. About 14 qts resulted in much cleaner fluid cycling through. I plan to flush again at 75k miles and again with a filter change at around 100k.

Theres lots of videos and threads out there for a DIY flush, but one confusing thing for this year/model (2016 with 6L80 without towing package or aux cooler) was figuring out what line/fitting on the trucks trans cooling system to use… some hook up at the thermostat. For mine, the return line fitting is in a tight spot on the drivers side on the bottom of the radiator. Also the line needs to come off the close-by hanger as it’s pulled out of the female fitting.

Also… With mine warmed up to 180, I didn’t have any fluid pumping out of the pulled off line (because of the thermostat) in addition to the discharge hose. I did have a hose on that line too though, just in case.
You should change your thermostat as well. Mine runs about 150 max 160. It’s an easy job
 

Shipyard

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You should change your thermostat as well. Mine runs about 150 max 160. It’s an easy job
Mine normally runs cooler like yours does . I wanted to be certain the temp was up so it would pump through the return line… so I drove it harder than normal for the 15 minutes before getting home. Towing a 4500 lb trailer in the summer, it didn’t get over about 195 if I remember right.
 

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