Transmission Fluid Change Intervals

[CTRice]

Hey guys,



Its been a while since I last logged in. But as always, I find a wealth of knowledge here.



Anyway, I just perused my warranty book and found to my surprise that I missed two transmission fluid changes. One at 15,000 miles and the one at 30,000 miles. After owning trucks for over thirty years, I never saw a requirement as tight as this one.



My question is how critical is this requirement? I have about 31,000 miles on my '06 3500 with 68RE auto trans. I have towed a 12,000 lb. Fiver about 10,000miles since I bought my CTD. So far, I have not experienced any transmission issues, but intend to change the ATF and adjust the bands asap.



Should I be concerned that issues will crop up since I inadvertently missed these fluid changes? Is there anything I should be looking for in this regard?



Thanks, CTRice

___________________________

'06 3500 4x4 SWB 68RE

 

[cerberusiam]

No concerns but its a good practice if you tow that much to change it at 30k intervals. The 15k was just to make sure there was no problems from the factory fill.

 

[Skydiver]

Go ahead and do a filter & fluid change.
I recommend changing the pan fluid every 10k miles. Keeps your fluid fresh. I just siphon out the pan fluid.
transmission fluid does not hold up to heat like engine oil does.
I did a power plush at 100k miles and saw a an improvement shifting while the transmission was cold. Mine did not want to shift until it warmed up. The power flush cured that problem.

 

[TMax]

Skydiver,

I heard that power flushing a transmission is bad news since it could drive the crud deeper into the orifices and valves in the transmission. It seems that everytime I hear of someone having transmission problems, they just recently had a flush done by some quicky lube place. It might be annecdotal evidence but it's what I have heard. Don't know if it is righ or wrong. Sorry for the hijacked thread.

 

[Skydiver]

There is some truth to that TMax. I've also heard that if an auto transmission is neglected/abused that even doing a filter change on a high mileage transmission can dislodge sludge and clogg the valve body. That's one of many reasons I don't buy high mileage vehicles. I do all my maintenance on schedule and have never been stranded (knock on wood).
My mechanic friend tell me that the first transmission filter change is necessary. After that he says if the filter catches enough wear material to become clogged that it is time to rebuild it. I do know that a dirty filter will remove the finer particles. I've Worked in a filter plant 30 yrs.

 

[DennyDay]

Skydiver,

I heard that power flushing a transmission is bad news since it could drive the crud deeper into the orifices and valves in the transmission. It seems that everytime I hear of someone having transmission problems, they just recently had a flush done by some quicky lube place. It might be annecdotal evidence but it's what I have heard. Don't know if it is righ or wrong. Sorry for the hijacked thread.

I think flushing the transmission or the engine is just asking for trouble. I tow a travel trailer full time and change engine oil at 5,000 miles and transmission and transfer case at 30,000 miles - - I have a double deep pan, the capacity is six quarts over standard. I use a metal case filter from Geno's on the transmission. I use a Valvoline ATF+4 (Chrysler Spec), nothing special, no additives, just good quality products, and you will prevent problems

 

[cerberusiam]

I heard that power flushing a transmission is bad news since it could drive the crud deeper into the orifices and valves in the transmission.

A power flush is just fine and the only way to fully remove any debris or build up from the coolers and lines, but, most places won't\don't\want to know how to do it correctly as it is complicated. There are too many places in the cooler and lines that need to be removed so the flush will work correctly.



Reason my a lot of dealers opt to replace the coolers also becuase it is hard to clean correctly.

 

[Skydiver]

The business where I had my transmission power flushed will not do so until they drive the vehicle to confirm that all is well. They then add a pint of something (I can't remember) and tell you to drive it for 100 miles and return.
It corrected my "no shift when cold" problem.

 

[NavyDood]

Since you have an 06, you do not have the 68RFE. You have the 48RE. If you tow as much as you do, then you should change it every 15,000. Non towing or light towing every 30,000 miles.

Do not adjust the bands unless there is a problem directly related to the bands. Do not flush the transmission. Fluid exchange is ok, but make sure they are not using any thing other ATF+4 for the exchange.

 

[TMax]

I have decided that I will drain the pan and replace the filter every 15K to 20K. Hopefully all the crud will migrate out with the fluid and filter and not get stuck in the TC. I tow a 10K 5er during dune season and that's about all I tow.