3 Year Service
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 198
From: Southington CT
3 Year Service
I will be due for the 3 Year Service in May. I just checked with the dealer that has been servicing my car (bought it out of state brand new) and they gave me an estimated price of $1800 (12 quarts of fluid and filter). I have been reading that this service has been costing others from $900=$1200. Does anyone living in Connecticut know of a dealer that would be more reasonable? Thanks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 198
From: Southington CT
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 141
Likes: 49
From: CT
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 1,122
From: Western Mass
I will be due for the 3 Year Service in May. I just checked with the dealer that has been servicing my car (bought it out of state brand new) and they gave me an estimated price of $1800 (12 quarts of fluid and filter). I have been reading that this service has been costing others from $900=$1200. Does anyone living in Connecticut know of a dealer that would be more reasonable? Thanks
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
Last edited by Mark9; Mar 20, 2024 at 08:03 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 502
Likes: 263
If the DIC doesn't show you need to change the external DCT filter you don't need to do it at 3 years. It's mileage governed. If you're close to the mileage that requires a change (7500, 22500, 45000, etc) then it's a good idea to change it at that time. The car won't need 12 liters on a drain and fill. If they are charging you that they are being dishonest. It takes about 9 liters to drain and fill. I added an additional 2 liters for tracking.
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
How can this satisfy GM's flush requirement?
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
How can this satisfy GM's flush requirement?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 1,122
From: Western Mass
If the DIC doesn't show you need to change the external DCT filter you don't need to do it at 3 years. It's mileage governed. If you're close to the mileage that requires a change (7500, 22500, 45000, etc) then it's a good idea to change it at that time. The car won't need 12 liters on a drain and fill. If they are charging you that they are being dishonest. It takes about 9 liters to drain and fill. I added an additional 2 liters for tracking.
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
How can this satisfy GM's flush requirement?
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
How can this satisfy GM's flush requirement?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
I talked to the Corvette tech about my 2021 C8 will be 3 years old in mid August and told him I wouldn't have 7500 miles yet but have read that it's also 3 year window or if you have any DCT problems GM won't honor it's warranty. So even though my milage is less to get it done. He also asked if I tracked my car and I said no. He then stated to let the dealership know because you'll need 2 less quarts of oil. Just saying. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 250
From: CT
If the DIC doesn't show you need to change the external DCT filter you don't need to do it at 3 years. It's mileage governed. If you're close to the mileage that requires a change (7500, 22500, 45000, etc) then it's a good idea to change it at that time. The car won't need 12 liters on a drain and fill. If they are charging you that they are being dishonest. It takes about 9 liters to drain and fill. I added an additional 2 liters for tracking.
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
Changing the fluid only is as easy as changing your oil except you need to pull the shear panel (and running the transmission through D and R a few times). At about $30/liter it would cost less than $300 to do that drain and fill. I do this myself on quick jacks. I'd suggest finding someone that can assist you if you don't feel comfortable. It'll be 1/3 the cost plus pizza and some beer.
That is incorrect.
GM requires the DCT fluid to be replaced at 45,000 miles or 3 years from date the car entered service.
The Fluid Life Monitor does not track time so you need to be aware of the 3 year time frame.
I would typically recommend calling Gengras in East Hartford but I see they have apparently sold that dealership. It is now East Hartford Chevrolet. Not sure if they have the same service personnel.
Let us know what you find.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
That is incorrect.
GM requires the DCT fluid to be replaced at 45,000 miles or 3 years from date the car entered service.
The Fluid Life Monitor does not track time so you need to be aware of the 3 year time frame.
I would typically recommend calling Gengras in East Hartford but I see they have apparently sold that dealership. It is now East Hartford Chevrolet. Not sure if they have the same service personnel.
Let us know what you find.
GM requires the DCT fluid to be replaced at 45,000 miles or 3 years from date the car entered service.
The Fluid Life Monitor does not track time so you need to be aware of the 3 year time frame.
I would typically recommend calling Gengras in East Hartford but I see they have apparently sold that dealership. It is now East Hartford Chevrolet. Not sure if they have the same service personnel.
Let us know what you find.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,898
Likes: 4,351
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
My last service (Sunset Chevy in Sarasota) was $185. DCT was serviced as part of the freebee at year one so the SA said I should wait until my 2024 service for Oil and DCT. He said that would be about $600.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,767
Likes: 2,968
From: Rural NW Georgia. GO DAWGS!
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I talked to the Corvette tech about my 2021 C8 will be 3 years old in mid August and told him I wouldn't have 7500 miles yet but have read that it's also 3 year window or if you have any DCT problems GM won't honor it's warranty. So even though my milage is less to get it done. He also asked if I tracked my car and I said no. He then stated to let the dealership know because you'll need 2 less quarts of oil. Just saying.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 169
Likes: 9
From: Interior B.C.
The GMPP Essential Care Maintenance Plan is the ticket for a few interval items like filters along the way but most importantly covers future annual oil changes and the DCT drain in years 3 & 6 assuming one purchases an 84 month term. The length of a contract is at the owners discretion (build it to suit you), same with a deductible very similar to how the GMPP Silver or Platinum extended warranty plans work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 1,203
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
I will be due for the 3 Year Service in May. I just checked with the dealer that has been servicing my car (bought it out of state brand new) and they gave me an estimated price of $1800 (12 quarts of fluid and filter). I have been reading that this service has been costing others from $900=$1200. Does anyone living in Connecticut know of a dealer that would be more reasonable? Thanks
Valvoline 888705 DCT Synthetic Fluid has the all important FFL-4 tested and approved application, without the ACDelco dealer price of $50 to $70 per quart. I purchased 10 quarts at $7.58 a quart from RockAuto.com for $75.80 + tax/shipping total amount of $92.
DTC Filter from RockAuto with tax/shipping is $130.
My dealer 2.5 shop labor that included the Hydraulic Fluid Flush PRIOR to changing the old filter and adding fluid was $408 including tax. Do Not Skip this HFF procedure and Change the Transmission Filter no matter what your mileage is!
$630 total price.
Understand some members will state it's not the marketing proprietary AC Delco DCT fluid however, many C8 owners after 3 years use the Valvoline FFL-4 certified #888705 without issues. Check out FB and the other competitor C8 site. My early 2020 C8 now with 23K miles, shifts perfect and has been dyno tuned with rears at 484hp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 1,122
From: Western Mass