Another trans fluid question

Ok so i did my research on this and i think im in between of what i should or should not do. I have a 99 silverado 5.3 with about 135,000 miles on orginial motor and tranny. NO problems so far (knock on wood). But i did notice that the transmission fluid is due for a change. Slight burnt smell some bubbles and about 1/4qt low. My question is that i have GM sticker under the hood that says the transmission was serviced at about 60,000. Not sure what "serviced" means. Bought the truck at about 115,000. Do I change the trans filter and replace the 4.5 qts from the pan, or do I take it to the shop and pay the 130 bucs to have a complete fluid change. Is the 70,000 too long for a complete flush ( due to breaking loose old particles) or am i safe due to the previous "service"?

Thanks FF18

I am not a fan of the "flush" because they don't drop the pan and replace the filter. My recommendation would be drop the pan and replace the filter and gasket. Don't forget to clean the magnet.

//2000CAYukon

Definately no flush for a transmission with over 100k miles on it. Over time the transmission does wear, causing all the material to "stick" in the trans and the cooler lines. when a flush is performed, the new fluid acts as a detergent and dislodges that contaminant therefore causing a failure (premature) so drop the pan and change the filter gasket and fluid - youre right it is about 4 1/2 quarts that you find in the pan.

Ok so i did my research on this and i think im in between of what i should or should not do. I have a 99 silverado 5.3 with about 135,000 miles on orginial motor and tranny. NO problems so far (knock on wood). But i did notice that the transmission fluid is due for a change. Slight burnt smell some bubbles and about 1/4qt low. My question is that i have GM sticker under the hood that says the transmission was serviced at about 60,000. Not sure what "serviced" means. Bought the truck at about 115,000. Do I change the trans filter and replace the 4.5 qts from the pan, or do I take it to the shop and pay the 130 bucs to have a complete fluid change. Is the 70,000 too long for a complete flush ( due to breaking loose old particles) or am i safe due to the previous "service"?

Thanks FF18


i agree with the other members no flushing.....my suggestion is to use synthetic transmission fluid... and also replace fluid at least 2x because of your fluid condition description....3x if necessary...


i have found faster shifting and smoother shifting...also mpg increases..

this also was done on 96 impala same results .... change fluid every 30-40,000mi....

use a good oem filter no cheap filters....

Ok so those of you who have managed to change the filter yourself and had success all I can say is WOW! My silverado is the 4th vehicle that i have done this to and what a pain in the ***. I figured it would take about 2 hrs and a slight mess. Cause hey the other vehicles were easy. After failure to drop the exhaust (stuck need a sawsall or an even bigger hammer) gave up after an hr. One twisted off bolt after a half can of PB blaster. A trip to the parts store again for a T-40 torx bit that is almost impossible to use to remove the linkage. A stripped out drain plug that i never did manage to break loose. A good qt of tranny fluid on the garage floor another half qt on me and a tranny pan that will drop but not come loose because i cant get the linkage or exhaust out of the way. 6 hrs later i gave up. :shakehead Will have towed to local shop and pay the guy 80bucs to change it for me. Those of you who have conquered this task are GODS! I need a beer

If you take the two nuts off that hold the rear of the tranmission to the cross brace you can use a jack and lift the reat of the transmission about 2 inches which allows you to remove the pan.

I also recommend adding a can of Lube-Guard. Synthetic is fine but expensive and Lube Guard works.