2016 Tahoe - transmission fluid change?

[Pops McGee]

Curious what people think is best time to get the transmission fluid changed?


I have 2016 Tahoe, owed for 2+ years, 16k miles. I got oil change after first 1k miles and then every 3k after. I will not be doing myself, either dealer or local lube place.

I do not tow nor use the 4WD often. Its a city car i really only drive on weekend road trips, and garage kept.

No problems with truck, just want to keep her running smooth. I plan on keeping for a while

Also, what about the diffs?

Thanks for any responses

 

[thirdcoast]

Follow Owners Manual and you will good to go. The new trannys get a flush/exchange and it is around 50K or more.. diffs about same..

I personally think you are throwing good oil away if you are using full synthetic.. Manual is about 7500 or when your oil indicator tells you.

I run Kendall Titanium Full Synthetic and change when it gets to 20% oil life left..

Good luck,,

Thirdcoast

 

[Pops McGee]

Follow Owners Manual and you will good to go. The new trannys get a flush/exchange and it is around 50K or more.. diffs about same..

I personally think you are throwing good oil away if you are using full synthetic.. Manual is about 7500 or when your oil indicator tells you.

I run Kendall Titanium Full Synthetic and change when it gets to 20% oil life left..

Good luck,,

Thirdcoast

Thank you. I am going synthetic but just old school about the 3k miles. can't get my head around the 7,500 mile thing. i paid cash for truck so to me just an investment to do it more often.

 

[forever29]

I changed my transmission oil on my 2008 every 40k miles. About 90% of the 218k total miles I put on it was highway. Tranny crapped out at 195k miles before I got it changed. As already said, you’ll be good if you follow the manual.

 

[Miami-Dade]

I have 2016 Tahoe, owed for 2+ years, 16k miles. I got oil change after first 1k miles and then every 3k after. I will not be doing myself, either dealer or local lube place.
Thanks for any responses

Please stay out of Lube Shops!! Either find a good independent or a good dealer that does not try to talk you into wallet flushing services..For oil I would just use Mobil 1 and AC Delco filters..The Full Synthetic oil the dealers use should work also.

 

[Lt Belspur]

Your vehicle just like mine requires Dexos approved oil. Never go to a lube shop as Miami - Dade stated

I change my own fluids.

Oil at 5,000. Mobil 1. I change my transmission fluid every 10,000 miles Full Synthetic Dexron VI. Change the filter at 45,000. Some say overkill. I say fluid is cheap. The vehicle is expensive. I have never had a transmission related failure in any of my vehicles. Most had over 200,000 miles.

 

[SuperOldSchool]

My posts on changing diffs, transfer case and brake fluid

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thre...nsfer-case-fluid-early-on.94453/#post-1128531

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/don’t-forget-to-flush-your-brake-system-3yrs-or-45k.101226/

 

[clogan2]

My brother put over 450,000 on his Silverado, and never once changed the tranny fluid.

I think we're all better off following the schedule set out in the owner's manual.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Mighty Hd]

Change mine every 30k and drop the pan for a filter change. Cheap insurance as I need it to last at least 200-250k

 

[SuperOldSchool]

So get this- I’m taking my 2015 Yukon in for trans fluid exchange. It has the 8l90, so no pan drop. They won’t do full fluid exchange (dealer). Just a drain and fill.

I don’t think dealers want to touch these 8l90’s...though 45k is severe fluid interval, tech said dealer won’t do filter changes and fluid exchanges - only drain and fill.

Tech said drain and fill will get 2/3-3/4 of fluid. My truck has 45k on trans ( they replaced with new factory unit at 15k)

I’m going to do it. Clean fluid is better than keeping factory fill for too long.

Thoughts?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

So get this- I’m taking my 2015 Yukon in for trans fluid exchange. It has the 8l90, so no pan drop. They won’t do full fluid exchange (dealer). Just a drain and fill.

I don’t think dealers want to touch these 8l90’s...though 45k is severe fluid interval, tech said dealer won’t do filter changes and fluid exchanges - only drain and fill.

Tech said drain and fill will get 2/3-3/4 of fluid. My truck has 45k on trans ( they replaced with new factory unit at 15k)

I’m going to do it. Clean fluid is better than keeping factory fill for too long.

Thoughts?

I think you're well within the "safe to change" interval. Use the cooler line pump out method, imo.

 

[SuperOldSchool]

I’m sure it’s safe, but dealer won’t do it. They will only do drain and fill . I don’t get how GM has a service schedule and then dealers won’t do it. I get the 8l90 is troubled...

I used online chat with GM to ask what do the GM factory techs say....

They said to do filter and fluid exchange.... they are going to call my dealer and find out why they won’t do it.

Several months ago I was at dealer for something else. Sign in service area had service for full fluid exchange. I asked about it and they said I could wait a bit , but it is a good idea. Now, for my set appt, they will no longer do exchange (not flush, just running full clean fluid using trans internal pump) and just drain and fill. I don’t get it.

Crazy

 

[SuperOldSchool]

Update
Dealer called me after being contacted by GM. They will do pan drop, filter change and fill for about $370. Will take couple hours due to detailed procedure needed - fluid has to be in designated temp range. It’s about 7- 8qts replaced.

Guy from dealer says he’s personally a fan of clean fluid/ regular fluid maintenance but they are being told not to touch the 8l90s... not sure if that’s GM telling them or if that’s their service manager leading the charge.

I plan to do it.

Hope the 10 speeds are better units that the techs and GM actually have faith in....

I’ll report back once it’s done if there’s any new info or drivability changes. I’d love to see the condition of the fluid after 45k...

 

[SuperOldSchool]

I’ll Had it done today. Pan drop, clean pan/ magnet, filter and 7 qts fluid. They used Mobil1 LV HP. Tech gave me couple pics. He says the magnets look spot on from the other 8 speeds he’s serviced . Also said fluid was a little dark, so I think this was a good decision to have it done - 8l90 runs hot, which eats up the fluid. Tech stated that this ‘lifetime/extended trans fill’ idea is not how he treats his personal vehicles either. He too, is **** about the fluids and preventative maintenance. Has been a tech for 25 years, really nice guy and took the time to talk with me about my truck and service.

The 8 speeds (10’s too) require a very specific fluid temperature range to insure trans is not over or under filled, so it’s not really a diy service like days past...especially without having dipstick/ fill tube.

Shifts smoother and does not do the occasional rough 2-1 downshift.

My advice is do it at the Severe Service (45k) interval. Take it for what it’s worth...

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I’ll Had it done today. Pan drop, clean pan/ magnet, filter and 7 qts fluid. They used Mobil1 LV HP. Tech gave me couple pics. He says the magnets look spot on from the other 8 speeds he’s serviced . Also said fluid was a little dark, so I think this was a good decision to have it done - 8l90 runs hot, which eats up the fluid. Tech stated that this ‘lifetime/extended trans fill’ idea is not how he treats his personal vehicles either. He too, is **** about the fluids and preventative maintenance. Has been a tech for 25 years, really nice guy and took the time to talk with me about my truck and service.

The 8 speeds (10’s too) require a very specific fluid temperature range to insure trans is not over or under filled, so it’s not really a diy service like days past...especially without having dipstick/ fill tube.

Shifts smoother and does not do the occasional rough 2-1 downshift.

My advice is do it at the Severe Service (45k) interval. Take it for what it’s worth...



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Good call. Sounds like you got the right tech.

 

[Lt Belspur]

It's really up to how you feel about your vehicle. We spent a lot on these trucks.

Preventive maintenance is worth it in my opinion.

 

[jaxscuby]

good that you did have your transmission serviced. they did not use AC Delco for tranny fluid? but mobil 1?

the color of the fluid..says its definitely time for fluid service...too dark for my taste..
the magnets, normal accumulation?..hhmmm..

the part that I don't like with 6l80 is dropping the pan for filter.

it does not have enough clearance over the y-pipe to rotate out.
so have to drop y-pipe to do filter & fluid.

next time getting the tranny pan with drain plug (dorman, $90 for my 6l80) just
to keep from dropping half my exhaust to service tranny fluid.

the link from rockauto for 8l90

More Information for DORMAN 265925

yes i know about using the transmission cooler lines to pump out
old tranny fluid. but the filter gets changes ~50K not dependent on color.

 

[555hp]

Curious what people think is best time to get the transmission fluid changed?


I have 2016 Tahoe, owed for 2+ years, 16k miles. I got oil change after first 1k miles and then every 3k after. I will not be doing myself, either dealer or local lube place.

I do not tow nor use the 4WD often. Its a city car i really only drive on weekend road trips, and garage kept.

No problems with truck, just want to keep her running smooth. I plan on keeping for a while

Also, what about the diffs?

Thanks for any responses

Follow the maintainance manual.