Should I have my truck's transmission flushed out instead of having the filter changed?

Question

I have a 2003 Chevrolet Silvardo and I've been told that I should have the transmission flushed instead of having the filter changed because it only has 48,000 miles on it.

Answer 1

Change the filter and flush the fluid. Think of it this way, You're straining a 4L bucket of dirty water,and an old strainer, you pour half the water through the strainer, the at the half way point you fill the rest of the dirty water with clean water, and then change the straner with a brand new one, and then pour the 4L of water though it, there is still 2L of dirty water going thorugh the brand new strainer. Change the filter and flush the fluid. Its the best thing for making the transmission last. When having a transmission flush, ask if they hook it up to a machine and put in all brand new fluid. The machine i use at work is set up to you tap right into the line and you let the car run and what it does is pushes brand new fluid in as it sucks the old fluid out, it gets all the fluid out of the lines, and torque converter.

Answer 2

first of all it is not a typical filter like an oil filter. All it really is is a screen that stops larger pieces of debris from going into the tranny. I would get it flushed now and at 100k miles I would get if flushed and have the screen changed as well at that time. And yes the flush machines they use get all fluid out of the torque converter and every line so it is a complete fluid change. If you drop the pan and change the screen you are getting about 30% of the fluid out of the tranny. So not very effective. Do what makes you happy. I can't even begin to count how many flushes I have done over the years and people love it. It is very effective and the cost isn't really more than paying a garage to drop the pan. I get $79.95 at my shops. Plus you don't have to worry about the pan leaking afterwords.

Answer 3

I would do that first, most of the filters in the transmission are a brass like screen and will flush out pretty easy. Places like Jiffy lube and Grease Monkey will do it pretty quick and seems to be just as effective. But one down side is that it is generally more expensive. You could do it yourself and change the filter and gasket for about half of what they will charge you.

Answer 4

I'd go ahead and get the filter pulled. They can check it and tell you how well the trans is wearing; any bits of metal or clutch pad residue will show up in the filter or in the bottom of the pan. It's not that much more expensive, and if you want to know how the truck is doing, it's an easy way to check things.

Answer 5

It would be a good idea to flush it out but you have to change the filter when you flush it. So do it all at Once.

Answer 6

you have to have the filter changed. It will become clogged if it is not replaced. Why would you be so cheep in the first place?That's really not a smart thing to do. Why spend the money to have your tranny flushed and then just leave the old filter in their?

Answer 7

No, just a filter & fluid change is fine. The only way to flush it is to remove the torque converter and drain it, you don't want to do that and it's unecessary.

A filter change requires removing the pan, and other than the torque convertere there's no other place for fluid to hide.

Answer 8

Yes, I highly recommend it..when you do a trans. flush, all parts are cleaned and gm isn't building tranmission like they us too..Being a GM tech, I have seen to many failures. It cost a little more but worth it..Oh, it is recommended to flush trans. every 50k miles..I wouldn't go over 60k if you can't afford it right now...

Answer 9

It should of been flushed at 36,000 miles.

Answer 10

Just change the filter. If you change the fluid you may start it leaking.