When should I change out the transmission fluid?

[Radshooter]

Hey guys... ... . We just moved from Phoenix to Topeka. (See details in the RV/towing forum... I won't bore you here). Does anyone know a good dealer in the Topeka area? I definately need an oil change, and am wondering about the NV5600 and diffs.



The truck has 10K miles on it. 2,500 of those 10,000 have been pulling a 16,800 lb. fiver. It still has the new-from-the-factory oil in the transmission and pumpkins. I have changed the engine oil every 3k, except at 9k because we were on the road.



With all this heavy towing, is it time to change the oil in the transmission and differentials? Is it too early for synthetics? Are synthetics worth it? Will a dealer put in synthetics for me? We tow heavy about every 3 months, and have the potential to go anywhere west of the Mississippi river, so can be some long hauls.



If you need more info than what is in my sig, let me know.



Thanks for your input.



Steve

 

[mberry]

I will not give you advice, rather I will just tell you what I did. I changed the diffs, engine oil, and all filters at 2K miles. I changed the oil and oil filter again at 8K miles. I also changed the trans fluid at 8K. I have not done the transfer case yet. I ran out of time. I just turned 8500 miles today.



In my opinion given the information you posted it should be a good time to change to synthetic fluids in everything.



Hope this helps in your decision.



Mark

 

[Fireman]

Steve,



I usually change the trans and diff fluids every spring (late March-early April). That is about every 20,000 miles. Then we are ready for another season of towing the 5W.



Fireman

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Mark and Fireman. I think I will wait a month or two until it warms up and see if I can find a dealer in the meantime. That is one bad thing about being a full-timer..... RV parks frown on doing your own maintenance.



Thanks guys...

Steve

 

[mberry]

Steve,



Purchase your consumables, then go find a Wal-Mart that has an oil change service. They should change your oil for you for the cost of labor and disposal alone. If they won't then find another Wal-Mart that will. They do that here for people.

 

[LightmanE300]

I followed the book, as most have. 15k for diffs and xfer case, and 30k for trans. As for oil, that's up to you.

 

[CROW]

Since I tow, I change the differential at 15,000 intervals. Changed the NV-5600 at 30,000 and (based on the appearance of the fluid) wished I had changed it at about 15,000 the first time.