How are your 10 speeds doing?

[Doubeleive]

I wish you weren’t on the west coast, my 10 speed is itching for a 6 speed to play with.

I swear not a one has jested me yet, which I find kind of odd, you'd think a 6.2 and 10sp would do the trick
I haven't had the opportunity to drive one yet to compare but I know a few have at least tried.
from what I have read though reportedly the 10 speed doesn't kick down very much? too many gears?
all I can add is from a stop if I keep it at 100% the BB tune goes to 3rd and stays there to 100 on the money
according to online documents a 2012 yukon denali 0-60 is 6.1-7.5 and 2024 yukon denali is 6.0-6.1
so..... not much difference for 80k
I have ran mine with my kenwood deck and the maestro rr, it has a built in obdii interface and a digital gauges, one being 0-60 I believe I am within spec of 6.4 not necessarily anything special.....

 

[RST Dana]

I swear not a one has jested me yet, which I find kind of odd, you'd think a 6.2 and 10sp would do the trick
I haven't had the opportunity to drive one yet to compare but I know a few have at least tried.
from what I have read though reportedly the 10 speed doesn't kick down very much? too many gears?
all I can add is from a stop if I keep it at 100% the BB tune goes to 3rd and stays there to 100 on the money
according to online documents a 2012 yukon denali 0-60 is 6.1-7.5 and 2024 yukon denali is 6.0-6.1
so..... not much difference for 80k
I have ran mine with my kenwood deck and the maestro rr, it has a built in obdii interface and a digital gauges, one being 0-60 I believe I am within spec of 6.4 not necessarily anything special.....

6.4 is a touch better than I have managed, but if I get a sneeze of the hit, then it’s adios!

 

[Big Mama]

all I have heard about the 8speed is the shudder and that the fluid change is a temporary fix
I guess the 10speed is slightly better reliability wise but doesn't have the same giddy up as the 6 speed, sure have not had one pass me

I swear not a one has jested me yet, which I find kind of odd, you'd think a 6.2 and 10sp would do the trick
I haven't had the opportunity to drive one yet to compare but I know a few have at least tried.
from what I have read though reportedly the 10 speed doesn't kick down very much? too many gears?
all I can add is from a stop if I keep it at 100% the BB tune goes to 3rd and stays there to 100 on the money
according to online documents a 2012 yukon denali 0-60 is 6.1-7.5 and 2024 yukon denali is 6.0-6.1
so..... not much difference for 80k
I have ran mine with my kenwood deck and the maestro rr, it has a built in obdii interface and a digital gauges, one being 0-60 I believe I am within spec of 6.4 not necessarily anything special.....

Though they are different altogether I can say Big Mama with the 6.2 and 6 speed was fun to drive and definitely left the light harder than my last Sierra 5.3 and 10 speed though this setup had more pull to it in 2nd and 3rd. My current Sierra 2500 with a gas 6.6 and 10 speed will definitely get your attention for such a heavy truck.

 

[keane1]

Heard noting but horror stories about the 8-speeds. Never had one though.

My 2015 Tahoe had the 5.3L/6-speed and it started slipping at 170K (late 2019). Called around and estimates were $4800-$6000 to rebuild/replace. Called the dealer where I bought it and he wanted $100 to inspect it and would tell me exactly what was wrong. Turns out it was the Torque Converter, but he said the rest of the trans was in great shape (driven mostly highway miles) and he could just put in a new TC for $1600. DONE!

Next vehicle was a 2021 Yukon with 5.3L/10-speed. LOVED that vehicle! Absolutely no issues with the transmission, so responsive, drove better than any of my previous 5 Tahoe's (fluid/filter every 30K). Just traded that one in November with 105K for a new 2026 Yukon with 5.3L.....best one yet.

 

[Skywagon]

2016 with 100k shifted like butter. 2025 Z71 Tahoe with 8,000 shifts like an old farm tractor with a bad clutch. It's shifted roughly since new. Dealer says...you guessed it....normal.

 

[TwoBigBoys n dog]

87K on my 2018 Denali with the 6.2L 10 speed. Love it through the mountains- no issues to date.
I drove the 5.3L in multiple rentals prior to purchasing and really notice the difference on power and gas mileage.

 

[jaywestfall]

Sonnax 4L60E here, life's a dream.

 

[dbphillips]

Ford's 10 speed is now in the white hot spotlight. https://www.usatoday.com/story/cars/news/2026/02/04/ford-f-150-transmission-problems/88507635007/

Matter of time...

 

[k_arnold72]

I also like the way the 10 speed kicks down when it's called for. My transmission is still untuned, but always seems to find the right gear. Not sure if it's been said yet, but there

 

[Big Mama]

Heard noting but horror stories about the 8-speeds. Never had one though.

My 2015 Tahoe had the 5.3L/6-speed and it started slipping at 170K (late 2019). Called around and estimates were $4800-$6000 to rebuild/replace. Called the dealer where I bought it and he wanted $100 to inspect it and would tell me exactly what was wrong. Turns out it was the Torque Converter, but he said the rest of the trans was in great shape (driven mostly highway miles) and he could just put in a new TC for $1600. DONE!

Next vehicle was a 2021 Yukon with 5.3L/10-speed. LOVED that vehicle! Absolutely no issues with the transmission, so responsive, drove better than any of my previous 5 Tahoe's (fluid/filter every 30K). Just traded that one in November with 105K for a new 2026 Yukon with 5.3L.....best one yet.

Yes, usually the torque converter.

 

[SpyShops212]

I have 142k on my 2018 Escalade 10 speed. I change my transmission fluid myself. I change my fluid every 30k and filter every other change. I don’t do flushes. There is a specific way to do the change. You drop the pan and clean it well. Refill the fluid until it drips. This is done through the side torx upper driver side bolt. There is a bolt at the bottom and this is used to make sure you get the proper level. You’re supposed to keep the truck perfectly level. The temp should be at 180. Then you add more fluid until it stops dripping out of the bottom bolt. I recommend only using oem ulv fluid

 

[Big Mama]

I have 142k on my 2018 Escalade 10 speed. I change my transmission fluid myself. I change my fluid every 30k and filter every other change. I don’t do flushes. There is a specific way to do the change. You drop the pan and clean it well. Refill the fluid until it drips. This is done through the side torx upper driver side bolt. There is a bolt at the bottom and this is used to make sure you get the proper level. You’re supposed to keep the truck perfectly level. The temp should be at 180. Then you add more fluid until it stops dripping out of the bottom bolt. I recommend only using oem ulv fluid

Thanks for that tutorial. It sounds a lot like the lower unit on my boat.

 

[pwtr02ss]

I have a 19 Denali with a 6.2 10 spd combo and I love it. 108k miles so far. Service the trans around 35-38k. Due for one when I get back from this trip. I'm with @RST Dana This thing moves for a stock, big suv. I never cared for the 6 spd, but only driven them with a 5.3. This one finds the right gear every time. By far my favorite combo

 

[SpyShops212]

I have a 19 Denali with a 6.2 10 spd combo and I love it. 108k miles so far. Service the trans around 35-38k. Due for one when I get back from this trip. I'm with @RST Dana This thing moves for a stock, big suv. I never cared for the 6 spd, but only driven them with a 5.3. This one finds the right gear every time. By far my favorite combo

My favorite is the 2018-2020 Escalade luxury. This has all the options except the electronic problem steps and ACC cruise. It does have regular cruise. There are many members that have an issue with the ACC cruise module. I also don’t care for the look with the electronic steps. I like the fixed steps. The Escalade has the 16 speaker Bose not 10 speaker like the Denali. I also love the ultra led headlights, 360 camera, camera mirror, HD cluster, CUE stereo, sport/winter/tour mode, auto parking, lighted front back door sills, lighted door handles, cool looking key fobs, nicer leather seats, and more. The Denali is a very nice truck too. I just like the extra options for not much more.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Mine is awesome. 2400 miles and going strong!

That aside it does shift well and is a very nice tranny. I’m a fan of its performance.

 

[Big Mama]

The 10 speed in the 2500 gas Sierra is amazing doing what it’s designed to do, work and tow. My TT weighs 8000 dry and it feels like there’s nothing back there except when I have to get gas every 400 miles!

 

[Kobot]

65k on my 2019 and it seems to be fine. I’m about to do a pan drop filter and fluid change. I wish I had done it sooner.

 

[fozzi58]

the 10 speeds did not become available on the suv's until 2018+, as such not all of them had them generally it was the (escalades and denali) but could be on others depending on trim
the 8 speed came along mid 2015 on the same (escalade?/for sure denali), but could be on others depending on trim
early 2015's (denali) had the 6 speed, not 100% sure on (escalades). I think it was around may 2016 when they made that change to 8 speed
you can tell by the RPO code on any, regardless
6L80=MYC
8L80=MFC
10L80=MQB

You had to get the 6.2 in order to have the 10 speed for 2018-2020 K2XX platform. All T1XXs come with 10 speed. If my recall is correct (too lazy to google), the '19s & '20s the 5.3's came with the 8 speed only.

All 10 speeds have issues but the later versions seem to be worse. The fix is a new TC and valve body. The problem is the replacement valve body is $4k.

The 8 speeds, much like the 6 speeds have horrid a TC and programming. If you took a 6L80 and 8L80 off the showroom floor and replaced the torque converter, did the thermostat bypass, and reprogrammed the TCM, they would probably run for 300k miles without a hiccup. The constant slip, the high temps, and and hunting for gears - all this done at the factory to pass emission standards - is a death knell for those transmissions.

 

[RST Dana]

Still waiting on my replacement valve body. 2 weeks so far. If anyone has a spare, my dealer is looking….

 

[Kobot]

I installed the PPE pan, changed the filter and filled with Amsoil ULV. The 65k mile fluid I drained out was on the darker side but didn’t smell burnt. Didn’t smell fresh either. I was a little surprised to see the bolts holding the filter were not the silver E10 bolts I’ve seen in videos. They were shorter black hex bolts of different lengths. I can only assume the earlier 10 speeds have some variance from the newer version.