Hey y'all I'm new here. I have a 2015 Chevy 2500 with about 340,000 miles. To my knowledge the transmission fluid has never been changed. Outer spin on filter changed often. Been driven pretty hard for the last 250k. Not having any problems. Should I change the fluid or ride it till it dies?
300k on transmission fluid
- Thread starter William B
- Start date
Have you changed the spin-on filter? Looked at the fluid to see how dark it is ?
My inclination is the change it.
My inclination is the change it.
There is a theory that if you go that long the fluid suspends the clutch material and helps keep the trans from slipping. If it was mine and it had gone that long it let it ride. I know of guys with 4l80’s with several hundred thousand miles that will never change it.
I would at least do a fluid exchange. I would not flush it, just do a drain and fill twice. That's what I do every 35k miles. And don't forget about your transferase if you have one.
For reference, my detailer buddy had a lly with 350k on it. Never touched the trans fluid or filters. The most he did was check the level.
At 300 K I went ahead and dropped the pan and change the internal filter and external filter. Drove that truck around for him for 100 miles and then did another drain fill on it not one issue with the trans since.
The internal design of the Allison makes it extremely resilient against poor maintenance compared to many other transmissions. Now that doesn’t mean that every trans is gonna last 500,000 miles without maintenance. That external filter is constantly sending fresh fluid into the valve body after it’s already gone through the internal filter. The internal filter is there to filter for the rest of the trans.
There are very few transmissions we will touch at the shop in situations like yours. Alison is one that we will.
At 300 K I went ahead and dropped the pan and change the internal filter and external filter. Drove that truck around for him for 100 miles and then did another drain fill on it not one issue with the trans since.
The internal design of the Allison makes it extremely resilient against poor maintenance compared to many other transmissions. Now that doesn’t mean that every trans is gonna last 500,000 miles without maintenance. That external filter is constantly sending fresh fluid into the valve body after it’s already gone through the internal filter. The internal filter is there to filter for the rest of the trans.
There are very few transmissions we will touch at the shop in situations like yours. Alison is one that we will.
I think I remember MikeL talking about this issue once. The 4L and similar designed transmissions if neglected can have more issues if you just do a fluid change. But the Allison has no such problem. As James mentioned above, extra filters play a part in this. Mike said do a fluid change at a minimum. And a hot flush if you really want to be sure. But a regular fluid change wouldn't hurt it like some other trans
I didn’t see where he said it was an Allison, I was thinking 6l80.
I assumed it was an Allison since he stated he did change the spin on filter
I see that now. ?
I forgot to add change the internal filter like James mentioned.
Mike L it the one who built my trans and gave me the recommendations.
Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
Appreciate all the advice guys. I'm going to change it and see how it goes. Hopefully I will remember to let you know the results. And I appreciate y'all not beating me up for my stupidity of letting it go this far. Sometimes life is overwhelming!
Probably no one cares but I said I would let you know the results of changing the trans fluid after 300,000 miles. Found out that it had been changed at least once before I got the truck because it had two internal filter seals in it. so all went well and it is doing fine. I appreciate the help.
How is your truck doing now? Any issues? I’ve got a 04 Chevy Duramax with around 150,000 and only the spin on filter has been changed. I’ve always heard to leave it alone but I just can’t see how the fluid never wears out.
With the Allison, you don't leave it alone.
I 2nd changing the fluid. Leaving trans fluid alone that long is not wise in my opinion and something 99% or shops will also agree with.
Doing a fluid/filter change with proper fluid/filters (OEM filters only) is of nearly no risk in my opinion.
At no point in that year truck was the trans fluid ever meant to be lifetime. 50k mile change under “severe duty” and 100k under normal. There is no such thing as normal driving as the moment your in city traffic or hooking a trailer up, its severe driving.
Spin on gets changed every 10k. Internal every 30-50k with fluid.