Does anyone know where I can find a maintenance and lubrication schedule for a 2001 Rodeo? I don't have the manual, and I did not see one in the FAQ section. I'm most interested in what it says for maintenance on the auto transmission. Does it call for fluid/filter changes (and how often), or does it also call for power flushes (again, how often)? Thanks.

I don't know what the manual suggests for the 4L-30E, but I've been draining/refilling about 3 qts every 15K and dropping the pan to change the filter, gasket, and about 4 qts every 30K. Shifting smoothly at 160+K. What's the history of your truck? Is it new to you? If so, I'd drop the pan and change the gasket/filter if you're over 45K and uncertain of the maintenance history.

I'm going to be taking mine in for warranty work on the tranny in the next couple of days, and they are already warning me to bring reciepts. The tranny has 116K miles on it, I'm the original owner, and I have changed the fluid and filter every 35K or so. I've never done a flush on it, but it has started to slip, and the fluid looks dark when I last changed it about a couple weeks ago. I've had it in to the dealership a couple of times in the past for leaking (same place everyone elses leaks, that accumulator valve cover), and they repaired it both times, so we will see. I just see myself having to get ready for a fight here, as I don't have any receipts to show them. I could maybe get a copy of the last filter/gasket I got from the Autozone I got them from, but that would be about it.
Yeah, good advice indeed. Problem is though, from scanning through NUMEROUS threads about the 4L30-E, there seems to be just a lot of guessing as to what is required for maintenance. Sounds like you are doing the right thing for sure, but I'm trying to find out what Isuzu recommends.

I've been flushing mine about every 30k. once I hit 90K I'm going to have the pan dropped and have the filter changed and then wait a year and start flushing it again. If I get close to 180k I'll do it again, but I doubt I'll own it that long (15years would be a long time to own a truck).

I think the manual states 100k tranny fluid change unless you use the truck in extreme ways (tow or 4x4 a lot).

I'll still try to check the manual tonight....

http://www.mjw.com/amigo/tech/maint.htm


For a 98 it says just check every 15k.

Hey, thanks for the link. Yeah, if it's the same schedule for my 3.2L, then I don't know how they can ask for reciepts. Sounds like if you go by Isuzu's maintenance schedule, you would never do a filter change, or flush, at least not before the 120K warranty period (?). I really need a manual :(!

I checked my 2000 manual and it says check for leaks every 15k and check fluid at 120k to determine if it needs to be changed.....

but I doubt I'll own it that long (15years would be a long time to own a truck).


Not for me, I guess. We had our late toyota almost 17yrs, we probably should've thrown in the towel at 15yrs, but then it had 250k or so.

Our '91 Rodeo owned us for 12yrs, got rid of her too soon, IMHO, she still had less then 200k and running VERY good, we only traded her because we needed an open-bed full size p/up to carry our camper - wish now that we had waited a few months to save a down payment and kept that Rodeo.

Our '97 is currently sitting at 10yrs/174k miles, but is now only being drove on the weekends, and maybe 1 day a week, so the mileage will drastically slow down, and at this rate, it'll be around a lot longer with only averaging what we would figure to be maybe 5-7k miles a year. Depending on how many sight-seeing adventures we hit up on the weekends, and how bad the winters continue to be, as the BMW is NOT fit for snow driving.

I can see someone getting bored with a vehicle after 12-15yrs though, that does play a big factor in replacing them, or if a family grows too big.

For us, we've discovered the only way to get and stay a bit ahead financially, is to wear out each vehicle totally, as long as it doesn't cost more to keep it running then would otherwise spend on a newer one.

Believe me, I like the power in the BMW and gas mileage, but it is really NOT all that comfortable to drive. But, paying $2k for a 22yr old car left us $15k ahead of the game for not buying a new toyota corolla, with the same, maybe slightly less gas mileage.

Okay, found the manual. According to the original print, the only required maintenance on the auto tranny is to check the fluid level, and the first time is not until 120K miles! However, I remember when I bought the vehicle, the salesman placed a sticker in the owners manual showing a change to this. This new line shows it should be checked every 30K miles. I looked throughout the owners manual and could not find any requirement for filter changes, changing fluid, or flushing. Seems like owners are just discovering by chance (usually the hard way), or by forums such as these, that doing these type of maintenance procedures are just about necessary for this tranny:eek: !! Either way, I cannot see how the dealership/Isuzu can ask me for any kind of reciepts when I take it in, as the only requirement according to my factory owners manual is to check the level, right?

Well, I'm definitely a happy camper :grinyes: ! Just got the news from the dealership that they are going to replace my tranny under warranty, so no cost to me! At 116.6K miles, I could not have timed it much better, eh? Still, valuable lesson here for anyone doing work on any vehicle; keep your reciepts and good documentation on everything done.

Thanks for reporting back! i have a notebook that I staple and write down everything that I have done to my truck. I hope I never have to bring the notebook into the dealer (only 3.5years or 42k to go ...).

Great news!

Remember, from here on out, MAKE sure to do partial fluid swaps every 15-20k miles, if you do this, that tranny will last a LONG time. Change your filter every other time, and try not to lead foot the truck on take-off's, this is the hardest on these tranny's.

Well, two out of three I can manage (fluid, filter changes). The lead-footin'... :uhoh:
Thanks for the support, and the great info, fellers. I hope to keep this vehicle for a long time also.

You must feel like you just stole something! $3K worth of something!

Okay, just to follow up; I got my Rodeo back a couple of days ago, and it is perfect! Didn't cost me a penny, but the only thing I forgot to ask was what kind of warranty I get with the new tranny. I called them and they will be getting back with me about it, so I'll post when I find out.

Oops.. sorry for the confusion. I'm the same guy who started this thread, but since I don't have my '97 Nissan pickup anymore, I figure I should change my name to suite my current vehicle.

Well, the dealership told me today that it carries the same warranty as any other part they sell; 12 months or 12,000 miles. Seems kind of short to me for something major like a transmission :disappoin . Anyone ever heard different?

:) Dad was told the same thng for the transfer case, 12 or 12, seems to be standard for the Zu.:) Andie

It sounds like alot of the guys here are babying their Rodeos. I have had 2 Rodeos, both had 300k + miles and I've only drained my tranny fluid once. Change it or check it if you have a leak. Both of these trucks have been more places than most people in some of the hairest terrain there is. Change the oil every 3-4 thousand miles, change you belts and O2 sensor every 90k
and give it some of the high test gas from time to time and/or injector cleaner on a regular basis. These trucks love to run, let 'em run!

Haven't heard many stories of the 4L-30E going 200K on one fluid change.

Rodeodave - I'd love to hear about what years your Rodeo's were.

I too have had 2 Rodeo's, both automatics. We still currently own the '97 Rodeo with 174k now, original tranny and it too has been to a lot of places, many many states, many backroads, etc and has also pulled a 4,000# boat for 65% of it's life.

You say you've gotten 300k out of both your automatic transmissions - I'd love to hear more!