2015 Tahoe LTZ - "new" used tranny question

[hessell1114]

Hello,

New to the forums here and new to Tahoe ownership as well. We bought a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with almost 100,000 miles on it. I called the nearest Chevy dealership to see if they could pull up any transmission service records with the VIN. No luck. The fluid on the dipstick seems new, but very "light" to me. I am trying to determine if I need to get the fluid and filter changed, or if it was done with the previous owner recently. I am attaching a few pictures. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am use to a more "red" transmission color.

Thank you,

Tom

 

[Fless]

Wipe some of that on a white cloth or paper towel, or a sheet of paper.

And I'm not sure I see the fluid on the dipstick -- might want to warm up the transmission and check the level that way per the owner's manual.

 

[hessell1114]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will attach a picture tommorow after I wipe it when my wife takes the car back out again. These pictures are after 45-60 minute's of driving. That transparent color is actually a liquid that wipes off, and you can see a defined line of the liquid level on the dipstick. I have never seen an ATF fluid like this with my previous cars.

 

[tom3]

I notice the fluid in our 2019 is also very clear on the stick, really hard to check the level. On a white cloth the red is there. Dexos VI fluid. Darker color sometimes indicates older fluid. That six foot long dipstick doesn't help either.

Transmission Fluid Color: What Do They Mean? – Gearstar

gearstar.com

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello,

New to the forums here and new to Tahoe ownership as well. We bought a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with almost 100,000 miles on it. I called the nearest Chevy dealership to see if they could pull up any transmission service records with the VIN. No luck. The fluid on the dipstick seems new, but very "light" to me. I am trying to determine if I need to get the fluid and filter changed, or if it was done with the previous owner recently. I am attaching a few pictures. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am use to a more "red" transmission color.

Thank you,

Tom

from what i can see and having looked at several k2's while shopping for one for the wife last year the fluid looks burnt, I would say the vast majority of them on car lots have never been flushed at least based on what I saw. that fluid should be a nice light pink/pink salmon color, not brown. I only found 2 that had nice pink fluid, one we test drove about 5 feet and it died on the lot (wouldn't restart) and the one we ended up purchasing.

 

[hessell1114]

So my wife had to run out tonight and I was able to get a picture of the rag residue...checked it twice. It is obviously dark, but weirdly clear on the dipstick which I still have never seen before? Hopefully this looks somewhat normal for GM.

 

[Doubeleive]

So my wife had to run out tonight and I was able to get a picture of the rag residue...checked it twice. It is obviously dark, but weirdly clear on the dipstick which I still have never seen before? Hopefully this looks somewhat normal for GM.

i guess my previous post didn't get finished that fluid looks burnt to me (not horribly I have seen it darker), this is what mine looks like with around 15k on the fluid
should be a light pink/pink salmon type color

 

[Doubeleive]

 

[hessell1114]

Thanks again for the input. I agree with the fluid looking burnt, it just seemed much lighter on the stick than my previous vehicles. As with every used car we purchase I am doing a fluid change on everything eventually. Starting with the transmission with 100K miles (no issues) do you think I can just do a transfer Fluid exchange through the cooler lines myself, or just do a pan drop and filter change..
or both??

I know there is all sorts of info and recommendations on the forums, but stuck in the middle with what to do given the pan drop and filter change looks more difficult with the exhaust etc...that my last Expedition and Pilot. Dealer is asking for $380 for pan drop, filter, and fluid exchange..I am really wanting to try to save money and just do a fluid exchange myself and call it a day..then move on to the differentials.

Thanks again

 

[Joseph Garcia]

When in doubt, change the fluid. The cost of a fluid change is MUCH cheaper than a transmission change.

 

[hessell1114]

Yes, just wondering the thoughts on the filter