So...I am still in agreement that its not required for the three year fluid change. But the fact that a procedure is listed as a "repair instruction" does not appear to be conclusive - you can't assume its not a maintenance item or invoked by a maintenance item. There are other procedures listed that way that actually are also routine maintenance items (unless GM has cleaned that up - see if your version has those examples).

In the version I have, there is a transmission fluid fill procedure - its listed as a DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES. The track use version is listed the same way. Hydraulic System Brake Bleeding, listed in the Maintenance Item table, is called a Repair Procedure. Spark Plug replacement, in the Maintenance Items list is called a Repair Procedure. Automatic Transmission Fluid Filter and Seal Replacement is also called a Repair Instruction in the version I have. Tire Rotation is also listed as a repair item. In a version of the manual someone else posted, the infamous Hydraulic System Flush is listed as a repair procedure, but its called out and used by a routine replacement of the external canister filter.

My point is just that the manually labeling of procedures as diagnostic, repair, or maintenance seems inconsistent - not a reliable way to tell the intent of the procedure - or whether or not its exclusively a repair item, or also invoked as part of a routine service.

Again, not trying to say that changing the internal filter is a requirement (for the record).

 

@astepup Sorry to hear your going through it . What dealership/location are you dealing with? I say out them (once you have your car back of course).

Not sure if anyone has started a thread (preferably a sticky thread), that we can start to list service departments and warn others on the forum about.

If we had that list would personally review the list monthly and email the thread link right to the applicable dealership GM.

 

Mr. Jonathon, thank you for bringing this thread to my attention! I made the appointment for the DCT fluid to be replaced, so if the tech referenced the procedure that requires removal of the pan and internal filter, I fear I won't be able to put up much of an argument and subsequently get stuck with a bill I wasn't expecting. As of right now they still haven't called that the car is done.

After reading and finding out suspension pieces had to be loosened and or removed to do all this, it's making me hesitant to not expect problems in the future. I've known the tech doing the work for over 30 years and he's a good man and even better mechanic, but the idea of such an invasive procedure being done versus a simple drain and fill process isn't exactly filling me with confidence.

I'm a member of a Corvette club, but until now I've never had a reason to ask other members who they use for extensive service as I've always been very satisfied with my local dealership. In the future I'm going to insist on getting a service order with everything in writing first. I'll update this when I get the car back

 

I will add to this thread that I have three Chevy dealers that I have great relationships with. While I have only one that is my go to for C8 service out of curiosity I called all three when scheduling for my 3 year maintenance to be done next month. Two of the dealers service writers (confirmed by their Corvette Techs) said only a flush, drain and fill is required. The third dealer, which is much smaller than the other two, took my question about what is required for the 3 year DCT maintenance and when he got back to me said the internal filter needed to be replaced and that they have been replacing them at 3 years on all of the C8s they have serviced. Again, they are a very small Chevy dealer in a remote part of our state so highly likely that they only service a very small number of C8s every year.

So, what was the price I was quoted for the required 3 year maintenance including the internal filter you ask? $3200.....

 

A DCT "flush" is not required at the 3 year fluid change interval, only a fluid drain and refill unless it coincides with a DCT filter change. And then only a hydraulic system flush is required per the service manual when the DCT filter is changed.

Ask the dealer that says an internal filter replacement is required at 3 years to show you the requirement that invokes an internal filter change.

 

In this context, what did the term "flush" mean? If its the Hydraulic System Flush, then what RKCRLR said above applies - the Hydraulic System Flush is not part of the procedure for replacing the transmission fluid. It part of the procedure for replacing the DCT external canister filter. If "flush" means anything else - like some sort of reverse flush using a BGE device or case flush or whatever, its non-existent for this transmission. I mention this because some forum members have been offered (and some have shown invoices that seem to include) a "transmission flush" (not to be confused with the Hydraulic System Flush).

 

It's just the hydraulic system flush which the Corvette tech may or may not actually be doing when the DCT is being drained and refilled. The service writers at the dealerships really have zero knowledge of the C8. When calling in that is who you get to talk to if you are lucky enough to get past the "appointment takers" geared to just setting up appointments.

The only reason I mentioned my experience of calling in to three different dealerships was to mention the fact that one out of three (service writers) argued the point about the internal DCT filter needing to be replaced at the three year service. Obviously I pushed back on it and asked him specifically why they were doing it and he really did not have anything to point to other than it was a requirement. I'm not getting the car serviced there and won't be having the internal filter replaced at this point in time.

 

The tech should not be doing a hydraulic system flush as part of the drain and fill, it's not part of that procedure. It's part of replacing the DCT filter procedure.

 

If you want to know what GM recommends, maybe do a 3 day subscription to the service manual. It's only $22

 

Just to clarify one more time. This is information I was getting from the service writer - not from the Corvette tech/s directly. None of the three service writers had the answer to my question/s when I called in. They needed to go do some research to get me the answers and then called me back at a later time. A couple did not call back until the next day. It is highly possible that by the time they did the research and called me back some things were included in the answer/s that the actual technician would not be doing on the day of the service. I am confident that the Corvette tech, that has already worked on my C8 previously, will perform the 3 year DCT service as it needs to be done.

 

I already know what GM recommends for the service. I am just posting up my experience when calling in to three different Chevy dealers service departments and the information I was given including the costs quoted.

 

I misunderstood.

 

Understood. I don't think the intent of the comments was to question what you know, or the fact that the service writer said that. I was just wondering if, when the service writer came back and said "flush", did it mean Hydraulic System Flush or something else. And, I brought it up because from some other forum reports, service writers actually have meant something else, something incorrect and potentially harmful. I see that you answered the question - its the HSF. Sounds like you asked "what is in the 3 year transmission service" and you were told that its a flush (HSF), drain, and fill. Since we know that the procedure does not include the HSF, you have to wonder if the tech said that to the service writer, or if the service writer simply added the term because he is familiar with other transmissions where the drain and fill might be referred to as a flush, or include some sort of reverse flush procedure. There's no harm in doing the HSF, and if the external canister filter is also being replaced its part of the procedure anyway. Seems to me that if, for whatever reason, the HSF is performed, it might be prudent to go ahead and change the external canister filter after the HSF - since the goal of the HSF is to flush debris from the lines and valves and move it to the filter. How many miles since your last external canister filter change?

 

I had a similar experience with three dealers about my 5 year service, brake system flush, lift fluid replacement and cooling system flush (I may not have those word for word). I also asked about the inspection the GM PPP requires for vehicles out of warranty. I personally visited three dealers and got wildly differing prices. All three knew what a brake system flush was but prices were $169/189/430. They also understood what the coolant system flush was but two were thinking it was like a standard front engine/ front radiator car service, only one gave me a price, the other two wouldn't saying it wasn't part of the 5 year service even though I showed him my owners manual. Pricing for the one was $179. Lift fluid replacement was also confusing to them, all three gave me a deer in the headlight look and two said it required no servicing with one of those saying it was part of the brake system. Prices ended up being $$440/456/499. All this was after significant time calling their tech, a hot line or going to discuss it with someone, not sure if a tech or service manager.

I have decided I'll deal with this myself. It's due this or next month. I see there are ways to test the brake fluid and the service centers above all agree the lift fluid is regular brake fluid (is it really?). Also newer cars have 6 year coolant and honestly I have never done coolant flushes per owners manuals. I may test it and just drain and refill the coolant tank.

Oh, the GMPPP inspection confused them too. One said they wouldn't do it and to buy their "warranty". But I got pricing of $295/330/395.

 

Remined what I used to do with my C7 standard shift hydraulic clutch fluid (also brake fluid.) Did it once/year. A lot easier than a flush! It was called the Ranger Method, and required removal the fluid from the reservoir, put in new fluid, operate the clutch 30 times to get the new fluid to mix with the old and repeat. I measured the moisture in the fluid after several cycles. Not sure how it would work with the brakes but may be good with the Lift.

 

I'm thinking about using the Ranger method when I change my front lift fluid. Replace the fluid in the reservoir, actuate the lift several times, and repeat as necessary.

People have reported good results using the gravity method to replace the brake fluid.

 

I just looked at my lift fluid. It's clear BUT a moisture meter is cheap. Worth checking what it is and how much in reduces. Easy to do many lifts. Just have to keep pressing the button!

I had calculated the volumes when we were having fluid leak past the original caps. My early solution was, as someone found, keeping the fluid level low. There is more fluid in the lower reservoirs than upper. BUT it all moves with a lift so should mix well. Should not take many refills to get to 0 moisture! And should NOT keep brake fluid after the container is open!

 

Yes, I have one. I also have some test stript but they may be old. Our old Hyundai Azera didn't have a scheduled brake fluid change but it said to check every 3 years with a test strip and replace as necessary.

 

I should clarify that I had the free oil change and external DCT filter replaced last fall at 2800 miles. I have approx. 4000 miles now so only 1200 miles on the current filter. My plan is to wait until I hit 7500 to do the next filter change which would be a total of 5000 miles on the second filter at that point.