My Son's Silverado Was Having Transmission Issues And I Helped Him With The Same Fix, But Warn You To Never Have a Transmission Flushed

This story reads like a CNN original.
So many "untruths" that I don't know where to begin; it seems like any research was done in 3 or 4 minutes of conversation with the dad.

Fact is, all'16-'19 GM truck and car RWD/4WD 8 speeds were filled with inferior fluid from the factory. It caused shuddering concerns when the Torque Converter Clutch engages with nearly every shift. This requires a flush. The later fluid isn't much better, but lasts a bit longer. It also deteriorates in time and should be flushed. And a filter change should be done. However when someone says they had their fluid flushed and their transmission failed, it is usually due to the fact that they are trying to fix, an already fatal problem by changing fluid. Fluid changes are not going to fix certain conditions. If you have a problem, have a qualified technician drive it and determine if it is just fluid deterioration or something more that requires a look inside.

I have heard this argument for and against transmission fluid flushes since the first Power Glide came out. I am not sure if this is good or bad advise. A drain and fill only gets about a third of the fluid out and non of the fluid in the torque converter. So, you really have to do the drain and fill about three times to get all new fluid in there. You can do a flush without using pressure that will loosen debris or blow seals. Ford shops have low pressure machines just for that. Now we have "sealed transmission" that makers claim are maintenance free forever...yeah, right. I had an Infiniti and drained the fluid after 140K miles. It was sort of red but not really where you like it. I had to by a special boss to pump fluid upwards in the transmission. No fill tube under the hood. I do know that there are a couple of transmission fluid additives that really work and and many that don't.

Most trans flush machines are passive and only use the pressure of the front pump pressure at idle which is 8 to 14 pounds max. The word flush is a misnomer it is more of exchange system due to fact you are not forcing fluid or cleaners through the system. Now if your using a snake oil cleaner then you might have issues but the misinformation here is pretty bad. Yes of course you should change out the filter if you drive one few cars that still have one. That also was not mentioned here. So when you swap out 4 qts of fluid on a drain and fill you still have 10 to 12 dirty ones in the transmission. Now let's talk new types of fluid low viscosity high flow that works on your newest 8 and 10 speed transmissions. But being in the trenches every day I could go on for a long time.

GMs are notorious for bad tranny's. The 2010's to 2020's had to have tranny's replaced, torque converters replaced etc. The only transmissions I've ever had to replace were GM's, never a Ford or Chrysler.

Whenever I change the transmission fluid, I start with a pan drop and screen/filter replacement, refill, then disconnect and route the cooler return line into a graduated waste bucket. I start the motor and let the pump move fresh fluid through the system while the old fluid, including from the TC discharges into the bucket. After about a quart or two, I shut the engine off and top off the sump with that exact amount of fresh fluid. Repeat until the discharged fluid comes out smelling fresh. Shifting through the gears helps to replace some of the fluid in the valve body, but don't run the pan dry. Works like a charm and saves hundreds.

A flush is not high pressure if done correctly, and anyone saying to do a drain and fill rather than a flush doesn't know what they're talking about. I've fully "flushed" at least 10 trannies using the trans pump itself, including Chevy Express. If flushing causes an issue the trans was either filled to the wrong level (very common, since the right procedure to check level on many sealed units is quite a pain) or already on its way out.

This article is filled with multiple falsehoods. #1) by draining the automatic transmission fluid by removing the pan and replacing the filter, that only changes about 1/3 to 1/2 of the transmissions fluid capacity. Most modern automatic transmissions require 10-12 quarts of fluid for a complete capacity. Dropping the pan only drains 4-6 quarts of fluid on most transmissions. #2) flushing transmission fluid DOES NOT utilize HIGH PRESSURE. A transmission flush is done by tapping into the cooler lines. The cooler lines on most transmissions only see 20 lbs of pressure OR LESS. The pump inside the transmission creates much more pressure than that in some parts of the transmission. So that is false. #3) many YouTube videos exist that state the contrary of this article. #4) The biggest thing that helps a transmission but simply draining 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid is by replacing it with clean fresh fluid. #5) if a transmission has burnt fluid, that is when, and only then when it's risky to flush automatic transmission fluid. #6,#7 &#8) this author of this article did absolutely no research on this top whatso ever. Had this author done ANY research, they would have easily found multiple items to the contrary. The article's author should be banned for reporting such lies and their editor should also be held liable for slander.

My 2024 Trailboss is still in the shop with almost 21000 miles and just 4 months old never had a stressing load on her and they still can fixed it or GM fix the problem, no loaner or nothing BUT THEY STILL WANT THERE PAYMENTS, I needed my truck on a family emergency and my truck was nowhere to be fixed or the dealership too help me out thru my difficult time I needed it the most, too go too my mom’s funeral and take our family to our difficult time of loss , that’s embarrassing for GM behalf!!

This is ridiculous. Some random dad says not to ever flush a transmission with zero evidence? No transmission in this story even had a flush done. The kid had a transmission with some junk fluid installed from the factory. A flush would've fixed the problem exactly like the drain did. Better, actually, because of the old fluid which wasn't changed by just a draining.

Simply driving around forces fluid through the trans at the exact same pressure. That's how hydraulics work. If a transmission fails after a fluid flush, then it likely also would've failed after a regular fluid change, and was right one the borderline of failing to begin with. New fluid has detergents which can break junk free and plug stuff up. Change your fluid and filter every 50K or so, and none of this is an issue. Using a fluid exchanger (aka "flush") does a thorough job and keeps the transmission cleaner.

It's not a flush. Doing a flush requires you to increase the fluid velocity such that the Reynolds Number exceeds 4000 to indicate turbulent flow. Since they use the installed transmission pump that's designed for flow velocities that provide laminar flow, it's impossible for any shop to do a "flush." You also don't get a one for one fluid exchange. If you put 14 quarts into the machine which matches the transmission capacity, as soon as the 1st quart of new fluid hits the sump, it mixes with the old fluid. The same thing in the torque converter. There are many clutches/ servos/ solenoids that have zero flow through them during the flush, so the old fluid stays there. In the end, you're lucky if you get a 50:50 mixture of old/ new fluid... about the same as dropping the pan. The advantage of dropping the pan is being able to change the filter. But most aren't really a filter since they're on the suction side of the pump, that makes them a strainer. And therein lies the problem. At higher engine speeds, the pump can't draw enough fluid through a clogged filter which starts causing shift quality issues such as flaring.

Getting a "transmission flush" done is a waste of money to the owner but a gold mine to the shop. Drop the pan and do a proper oil/ filter change like the old days, don't fall for the "transmission flush" scam or you'll certainly end up with issues from a clogged filter/ strainer.

I'm for changing out the transmission fluid completely. This is done by disconnecting the transmission return line from cooling line in the radiator.

I have a MY17 model Holden Colorado. Engine 2.8 DuraMax coupled to a 6L50 Auto.
The gearbox developed harsh gear changes at 57000 klm.
I removed the sump of the transmission and changed the filter and refilled with Penrite Dexron V1 full synthetic trans fluid. I repeated this every month for 3 months including filter change. The last time I refilled I added a tube of Shudder Fix.
Within 2 weeks of driving the transmission is behaving like new.
Service as soon as symptoms appear.
I also scraped the varnish off the inside front corner floor of the sump and drilled a hole and soldered a 6mm nut to the floor of sump. When changing fluid I now have a drain plug.
I used the same sump gasket thru every oil change and filter change torquing to 10 inch pounds each time. Good Luck.
Regards John from Downunder.

I have a 2017 1500 Silverado High Country 4wd, 6.2, with an 8speed transmission. Other than an occasional hard shift due to throttle response, i've had zero issues. I bought the truck with thirteen thousand eight hundred miles in early 2019. The owner I purchased it from was worried about the dreaded 8 speed transmission troubles. So he had it feel refilled with the royal purple transmission fluid. For the same reason, I took it to the dealer and had it flushed and refilled at thirty and sixty thousand miles with the b and g transmission treatment. The transmission tax. I know told me that with a torque converter change and software update those transmissions don't have problems. Thank GodI haven't had any problems either.

Chevy pickup transmission problems need to be flushed. I customer needs to be knowledgeable about type of fluid is used. Mobil 1 blue label transmission fluid

I have never flushed my 96 f150. At recommended service intervals I drained the pan and the torque converter. Replaced the filter and switched over to synthetic fluid. Still waiting to know if this is a good thing st 459000 miles.

Bring back the Manual Tranmissions and you will not ever have tranmission problems again. After about 130,000 miles change the clutch assembly and go again. Those Garbage automatic transmissions made drivers out of non drivers.