2017 Tahoe..45K MILES - To Flush or Not to Flush Trans?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Miami-Dade

Staff member
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2016
Posts
3,647
Reaction score
4,279
Anyone ever experience trans issues AFTER the flush/fluid change?

Had my ATF changed at 60K miles at Paramus Chevrolet [fluid still looked perfect at 60K miles] but have to admit it felt like I was in a different Tahoe after getting it back as it was shifting a lot smoother. Will change from here on in every 45K miles or before.

Only people who go to quick lube places to have their trans serviced seem to have issues after a change. I am surprised to see late model Tahoe's,Suburbans and Escalades going into those places every time I go down US 1 and Dixie Highway.
 

RoosterTX

TYF Newbie
Joined
May 29, 2017
Posts
14
Reaction score
17
Location
Flower Mound, TX
I am the original owner, and believe 60k was the first trans change on my vehicle, I dropped pan and replaced filter. I also added a drain plug to the trans pan. I change my oil every 5k, and ever since then I also drain out the trans pan and replace with new fluid. Its about a gallon that comes out, and its really simple to do, i'm already under the truck with all the necessary equipment. I still drop the pan and replace the filter every 60k, right now Im pushing 180k on my 05 Tahoe with no issues, but I rarely have ever towed anything with the truck.
 

Mike N

TYF Newbie
Joined
May 17, 2018
Posts
19
Reaction score
16
Location
Denver, CO
I own a 2015 Tahoe XL and the scheduled fluid change for the transmission, diff's and transfer cases are 95k. That being said, I just rolled 50k and did all the fluids last week! I agree with previous comments that waiting until 95-100k does not sit well with me. In addition, I am the second owner and wanted to make sure I knew what is in there and when it was done on top of not knowing how the previous owner drove it.
 

Bob2C

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2019
Posts
532
Reaction score
430
Location
Northern VA
I have a 2018 Tahoe. This is from the manual. Transfer case at 97k under normal driving. Severe it’s 45k along with trans under severe. Weird no mention of transmission under normal driving.

Severe
dab0b2ad642ca3939e4d96267c2d9fc0.jpg

Normal
145d1429bcb18fb8bc2d9582b7b4cfad.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

sd172

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Posts
91
Reaction score
68
Location
South Dakota
I'm changing my rear diff oil and transfer case fluid every 30k, due to the winter road conditions there's always some wheel slippage that's caught by either the self locking rear diff or the transfer case when you drive in AWD mode. Both have wet clutches and no filters to contain the free-floating friction material. The front diff will go 50k between oil changes.

As for the trans, I had my dealer do a full fluid and filter change at 25k, and I'm planning to drain and fill 1 gallon of ATF every 5k with engine oil change. Trans filter will be on a 50k change interval.
 

Mark Shipley

Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
35
Reaction score
20
Advice needed, my friend who works as a Ford service manager said the fluids are designed to last 100,000 miles, and after 100,000 miles I would run the risk of knocking some debris loose and destroying the trans. Its a 2017 6 speed 4x4.

With 45k miles, I would have 15k left on the powertrain warranty, which I think is plenty of miles to test it to see if the trans is going to grenade.

Should I go for it so I am starting fresh? Any other fluids at this point to do? Differential, brake, radiator, (4x4 but hardly ever use it unless its pouring down rain, then I use AWD)

Truck is running PERFECTLY right now, so I am between doing it, and also stuck mentally with "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

All replies are appreciated!
no question do it!
 

BDJs_Denali

TYF Newbie
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Posts
2
Reaction score
2
Location
Mason, Michigan
Anyone ever experience trans issues AFTER the flush/fluid change?

I bought my 2016 XL Denali used with about 60,000 miles on it. I experienced infrequent harsh shifts or shudders (shifted better than my 2014 Silverado). I had my transmission throw a code for a bad trans oil temp sensor at about 72,000 miles. It was replaced under warranty (‘16’s still have the 6 yr/100,000) and the fluid and filter was changed. After that the truck shifted as smooth as butter. The acceleration was also improved as if previously I had been taking off in second instead of first. Prior to this I did not realize how much the drivability of the truck was affected by the trans. Now, to answer your question...that smooth acceleration and imperceptible shifting probably last two months (about 4 to 5k mile). Now at 88,000 the shifting and shudder is getting more frequent and I’ve taken to using tow/haul mode as that seems to alleviate the problem some, which may indicate that Active Fuel Manegment system may be a contributing factor to poor drivability. So, I’m thinking I should probably get back to the dealer to let them get started on this well known issue while it’s still covered by warranty.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,786
Posts
1,805,415
Members
91,766
Latest member
GeorgeC
Top