I have a few questions about the impala transmission fluid change. Do you do this every 50,000 miles or is it ok to do it at 60,000 miles and should, I get a drain and fill or have the transmission flushed out. Dealership wants $200.00 to flush it out. I checked my fluid today it is kind of brown not red like it should be. Should, I have it changed now or wait until 60,000 miles. Car right now has 49,000 miles. no shifting problems right now runs great.
Impala26
GM does NOT recommend the transmission flushing - which is often done with a "cleaner" that is introduced into the transmission (which is considered a contaminant by GM).
Have the dealer remove the transmission pan - to drain the fluid and change the transmission filter. Although this will not change all the transmission fluid, it is the correct service recommended by GM (who designs and builds the transmissions).
The transmission flush machines are aftermarket machines that are easier and faster to use than the filter change - and a big moneymaker for the dealers.
Have the dealer remove the transmission pan - to drain the fluid and change the transmission filter. Although this will not change all the transmission fluid, it is the correct service recommended by GM (who designs and builds the transmissions).
The transmission flush machines are aftermarket machines that are easier and faster to use than the filter change - and a big moneymaker for the dealers.
Odds are after doing a flush, the transmission will begin to fail and you will go there for repairs meaning more money for them. You can read all over this form, it is highly recommended to NOT flush but just change the fluid.
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Agree with everyone else, flushes do nothing but cause problems in the long run. Pan drop to drain the fluid and change the filter is the way to go.
In regards to the milage difference, as you said the fluid is slightly discolored. You wont harm anything by changing it early, but, you may harm something by waiting longer. I've found the old saying "Better late than never" absolutely does not apply to automatic transmissions.
In regards to the milage difference, as you said the fluid is slightly discolored. You wont harm anything by changing it early, but, you may harm something by waiting longer. I've found the old saying "Better late than never" absolutely does not apply to automatic transmissions.
My dad has been a GM mechanic for 25 years he says to do fluid and filter change every 2 years or 24,000mi. This used to be the schedule with dexron 3. With dex 4 u could probably go a bit longer but It's not that hard to do anyway. Flushes are not a good idea imo. Also drain and fill with filter is 7.4qts according to manual but if you let it drain a good while it's actually closer to 8qts.
Our cars use Dexron 6 now, if I remember correctly from when I had my transmission fluid changed.
FWIW - was concerned about flushes given my understanding of flushing agents involved. However, it seems some newer flushing techniques are nothing more than running new fluid through until it drains clean. This newer technique seems kinda wasteful, which may account for some of the high price.
At any rate, always been a pan drop and filter change guy. Suggest if your fluid is anything other than a good red, good red meaning more red than brown - consider changing it now.
Had good results with changing once a year - which amounted to about 30,000 miles. The first two changes were concerning - lots of crap in the pan and stuck to the magnet. After than, pretty uneventful, just a light film on the pan and magnet.
Even so, still had the occasional burp where the tranny wanted to start from a stop in something other than first. Just took it easy for a couple of starts and things are good for another couple of months until the next event.
Suggest 7 qts 13 oz is a good target on the pan drop - seems to put things right back on the Full mark. Yep, the gasket is reusable - still using the original. Did change the filter seal after the fourth change, just cause it seemed to be getting a little loose when inserting the new filter. Recommend to not go cheap on the filter. Partial to the WalMart SuperTech Dex6 for price and meeting spec.
Hope this helps.
At any rate, always been a pan drop and filter change guy. Suggest if your fluid is anything other than a good red, good red meaning more red than brown - consider changing it now.
Had good results with changing once a year - which amounted to about 30,000 miles. The first two changes were concerning - lots of crap in the pan and stuck to the magnet. After than, pretty uneventful, just a light film on the pan and magnet.
Even so, still had the occasional burp where the tranny wanted to start from a stop in something other than first. Just took it easy for a couple of starts and things are good for another couple of months until the next event.
Suggest 7 qts 13 oz is a good target on the pan drop - seems to put things right back on the Full mark. Yep, the gasket is reusable - still using the original. Did change the filter seal after the fourth change, just cause it seemed to be getting a little loose when inserting the new filter. Recommend to not go cheap on the filter. Partial to the WalMart SuperTech Dex6 for price and meeting spec.
Hope this helps.
BTW see my most recent post to a thread I started.... http://www.impalaforums.com/chevy-i...chevy-impala-8th-gen-discussion/1156538-t-stat-question-a-few-other-things.html
Just some additional things to consider if you've got the pan off.
Just some additional things to consider if you've got the pan off.
Get a good gasket
I am on here right now looking for the torque sequence,so this much I can tell you . this is the 2nd time doing this on my 08 impala , last time I bought the filter and used the flexible rubber gasket that came with the filter and could never get it to stop leaking .
I just picked up a felpro rigid gasket TOS18717 and think it will work much better as you can barely tighten the rubber one with out it mushing.
FWIW the citgo transgard dex vi is a full synthetic and only $5 a quart if you can find it:yahoo:
I am on here right now looking for the torque sequence,so this much I can tell you . this is the 2nd time doing this on my 08 impala , last time I bought the filter and used the flexible rubber gasket that came with the filter and could never get it to stop leaking .
I just picked up a felpro rigid gasket TOS18717 and think it will work much better as you can barely tighten the rubber one with out it mushing.
FWIW the citgo transgard dex vi is a full synthetic and only $5 a quart if you can find it:yahoo:
Dexron VI is a GM licensed and tested product so it should be the same no matter who you buy it from.
I used WalMart Supertech Dexron VI. The Citgo product is real Dexron VI too. As long as it doesn't have the sleazy "compatible with" moniker it's the same stuff.
Definitely do the Magnet TSB. http://www.impalaforums.com/chevy-impala-8th-gen-discussion/484562-2010-impala-lt-weird-transmission-shifts.html#post1212329
Drain plugs in the pan make service easier. Writeup on drain plug pans and magnets. http://www.impalaforums.com/chevy-impala-8th-gen-discussion/657522-4t65e-and-hd-pan-and-magnet-upgrades-details-inside.html
The OEM "filter" is not a filter it's a strainer to keep the big chunks out of the pump. If you actually filter the fluid you won't need to change the strainer as often if at all. I use a Magnefine filter in the fluid cooler return line right now. 15K filter change interval is the goal. I have delusions of doing an Allison spin on filter with magnet.
Torque is not much. These are 6mm bolts @10 ft lb. Use an in-lb wrench.
Pan torque sequence basically a criss-cross star... I make three passes: spin up finger tight no wrench-80-120 inch pounds.
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I used WalMart Supertech Dexron VI. The Citgo product is real Dexron VI too. As long as it doesn't have the sleazy "compatible with" moniker it's the same stuff.
Definitely do the Magnet TSB. http://www.impalaforums.com/chevy-impala-8th-gen-discussion/484562-2010-impala-lt-weird-transmission-shifts.html#post1212329
Drain plugs in the pan make service easier. Writeup on drain plug pans and magnets. http://www.impalaforums.com/chevy-impala-8th-gen-discussion/657522-4t65e-and-hd-pan-and-magnet-upgrades-details-inside.html
The OEM "filter" is not a filter it's a strainer to keep the big chunks out of the pump. If you actually filter the fluid you won't need to change the strainer as often if at all. I use a Magnefine filter in the fluid cooler return line right now. 15K filter change interval is the goal. I have delusions of doing an Allison spin on filter with magnet.
Torque is not much. These are 6mm bolts @10 ft lb. Use an in-lb wrench.
Pan torque sequence basically a criss-cross star... I make three passes: spin up finger tight no wrench-80-120 inch pounds.
Dang it
I wish I would have saw you reply a few hours ago, I just came in from doing a pan drop and fill ,thank you for that pic of the torque seq.
For any one doing this GET THE FELPRO it has metal washers built in to it and seals really nice , the rubber WIX gasket that I just took off was torn at EVERY bolt hole and I did not over torque it , if anything I was around 7 ft lbs.
The citgo dexron vi is GM licensed also FYI , thanks again
I wish I would have saw you reply a few hours ago, I just came in from doing a pan drop and fill ,thank you for that pic of the torque seq.
For any one doing this GET THE FELPRO it has metal washers built in to it and seals really nice , the rubber WIX gasket that I just took off was torn at EVERY bolt hole and I did not over torque it , if anything I was around 7 ft lbs.
The citgo dexron vi is GM licensed also FYI , thanks again
man I wish I had saw this before I did mine, I over torqued about 4 of my pan bolts, any idea on where to get replacements from?
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