Interesting Tranny Fluid Information

[JimW]

Source

GM Service Manual G-Body: Aurora, Riviera

As most of you know, I am fast approaching my 166 000 km (100 000 mile) milestone. I was flipping through the general maintenance at this point and read something interesting about tranny fluid.

Change transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is driven under one of more of these conditions:

1. In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularily reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

2. In hilly or mountaineous regions.

3. When doing frequent trailer towing.

4. Uses such as found in a taxi, police car or delivery service.

IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED UNDER ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, THE FLUID AND FILTER DO NOT REQUIRE CHANGING.

Huh...how bout that?!

[Aurora40]

I'd still do it, though...

[JimW]

Ok, thats good, but...if all conditions are normal, and the fluid is nice and pink...why bother?

For chits and giggles doesnt count as a reply

[Aurora40]

I'd do it because it isn't that hard, the fluid and filter aren't that expensive, and it's cheap insurance. I want to change the fluids while they are still good (nice and pink), not once they have gone bad. After 8 years and 100,000 miles, I would figure it has used up fair amount of its life. ATF is oil, much like motor oil. And while not exposed to the chemicals and coolant and exhaust byproducts of motor oil, it is exposed to lots of heat and metal debris. So I'd take the safe play and change it. But you don't have to. The service manual isn't going to lie to you, so it probably is safe to never do it provided you fit the conditions described.

I change my oil at about 15-20% "life" also, even though I use Mobil 1... Though I do use the monitor, so my changes vary based on driving condition, and it's usually about 6500-7000 miles between changes. I don't just do it every 3000 just because.

[BNICOV]

Jim, change the tranny oil, it'll only cost you a little north of a $100 at the dealer and it is great insurance. I got 320,000kms from my bonnie and I changed the tranny oil every 80k or so and never heard a peep from my tranny.

[kobalt]

Gentlemen, I must dissent. GM engineered the transaxle and fluid for lifetime operation. Unless the specific conditons listed are met, it is unnecessarey to change the fluid. While a transaxle fluid change might be beneficial I must argue that going against GM's recommendation introduces the possibility for problems. Why take the chance if the transaxle operates properly and the fluid looks healthy?

[Custom88]

I'm going to continue to change mine. Of course GM is going to tell you not to change it.. if they made a car that required no maintenance and never broke down they wouldn't make any car sales. If you kept changing the fluid and kept the transmission up there isn't the possibility of the transmission failing from not changing the fluid. Just like if they made cars that didn't rust, people would never buy a new car. That's just how I see it though.

[kobalt]

A great counterpoint, no doubt Perhaps my opnion is a bit swayed by caddyinfo forum members, many of whom have 4T80e original equipped vehicles with 150+k of problem-free miles on original fluid. In the end it is a simple matter of preference

[stevensolds]

im not changing it either. 80k original fluid why freakin bother at this point. If ppl can run 150k, i am not gonna. I do not excessive speed anyway or drive when its 90. Heck if its cold enough, i drive the truck or something. i dont even drive the aurora

[BNICOV]

CHANGE THE TRANNY FLUID!!!! Unless you want to to a tranny job, change it every 50k or so. I did in my bonny and got 320k's without a peep from the tranny. It is cheap insurance, a hundred bucks or so every couple of years is peanuts compared to what a rebuilt tranny will cost you (about $3000 or so).
P.S. I'm talking in kilometers not miles for our American friends.

[stevensolds]

changing it the 22nd...............

[JimW]

Yep, waiting for the results of that