Transmission Filter Change
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 860
Likes: 40
From: Woodforest
Transmission Filter Change
I know the first transmission filter change is on GM, but I had to have a replacement transmission and they won't cover the filter on this one. One per car apparently as opposed to transmission. At any rate the amount of money the dealerships want is obscene for this fairly straightforward service that you should do every 7500 miles. I will be doing this myself going forward. The only pain with this is the multitude of bolts you have to remove to get the two panels removed to get to the filter. In addition, there are several different sizes you have to get back right.
My question is has anyone, when they had the aluminum panel down, decided to cut out an access to the transmission filter? The oil filter has one and I'm considering doing this to make future filter changes a breeze like the oil filter.
My question is has anyone, when they had the aluminum panel down, decided to cut out an access to the transmission filter? The oil filter has one and I'm considering doing this to make future filter changes a breeze like the oil filter.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
I not 100% sure, but they need access to the side fill plug to put back the few ounces of DCT fluid loss when replacing the filter. I believe the panel needs to be removed for access of that plug.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,721
Likes: 10,151
From: Garden Valley CA
I know the first transmission filter change is on GM, but I had to have a replacement transmission and they won't cover the filter on this one. One per car apparently as opposed to transmission. At any rate the amount of money the dealerships want is obscene for this fairly straightforward service that you should do every 7500 miles. I will be doing this myself going forward. The only pain with this is the multitude of bolts you have to remove to get the two panels removed to get to the filter. In addition, there are several different sizes you have to get back right.
My question is has anyone, when they had the aluminum panel down, decided to cut out an access to the transmission filter? The oil filter has one and I'm considering doing this to make future filter changes a breeze like the oil filter.
My question is has anyone, when they had the aluminum panel down, decided to cut out an access to the transmission filter? The oil filter has one and I'm considering doing this to make future filter changes a breeze like the oil filter.
GM should cover the first DCT filter change on the new DCT. It isn't your fault it failed. Contact Chevrolet Customer Care and have them open a case if your dealer won't do it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
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From: Fulshear, TX
There was a document circulated that the 7,500 mile filter change on a replacement transmission is the customer's responsibility, if they already used the one complimentary service.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,721
Likes: 10,151
From: Garden Valley CA
That doesn't seem right but I guess it could be. Adding insult to injury. Our part failed under warranty so it is going to cost you extra to maintain your warranty. I'd still contact customer care to see if they could do anything.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 250
From: CT
If you miss/exceed the 7500 +/- 500 filter/flush procedure the normal corrective action is:
1. Remove and discard the existing filter
2. Install new filter and perform the GM solenoid flush procedure. This will contaminate the new installed filter.
3. Remove and discard the contaminated filter, install new fresh filter. Top off fluid level. Good to go.
You mention your C8 is a 2020. Depending on when your car was built you are at the time when a complete fluid change is required (36 months form build date). So, I would expect step 3 above would now include a complete 12 qt DCT fluid change.
From what you describe, it's doubtful the DCT filter/fluid issue is causing your shifting problem.
Good news is you are still under warranty.
Good luck. Hope this helps a little.
1. Remove and discard the existing filter
2. Install new filter and perform the GM solenoid flush procedure. This will contaminate the new installed filter.
3. Remove and discard the contaminated filter, install new fresh filter. Top off fluid level. Good to go.
You mention your C8 is a 2020. Depending on when your car was built you are at the time when a complete fluid change is required (36 months form build date). So, I would expect step 3 above would now include a complete 12 qt DCT fluid change.
From what you describe, it's doubtful the DCT filter/fluid issue is causing your shifting problem.
Good news is you are still under warranty.
Good luck. Hope this helps a little.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,055
From: CA
This is absolute BS that you have to go to the dealer to flush your transmission, when the entire process is done in software. Put the flush procedure in the infotainment system under the Vehicle section.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I've seen you say that in two different threads now. Why would GM put that procedure in a system accessible to any yahoo who can press a button? I hear what you're saying but GM has no incentive to do it and it would probably do more harm than good if they did.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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It suggests that it could be harmful when not performed in the context of another procedure.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,721
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From: Garden Valley CA
Yep, when I brought my car in for the "free" engine oil and DCT filter change the dealer reset my DCT fluid life monitor...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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I was just checking my warranty tracker data and noticed something important. Apparently the delivery date and start date for the warranty was entered by the dealer and recorded some 10 days before the car was delivered. It appears to match a date on the dealer invoice (I have a copy of that). But its not the date when I paid for the car and drove it home. I suspect that means the start of the 3 years for the fluid change is also 10 days earlier. I have other service records where the dealer put the correct delivery date on the service invoice so something is screwy. Anyway I'll just make sure its changed before that recorded date in the record. Hopefully though, as with the first filter change (prior to the later clarification) there is some unwritten tolerance on performance of the require maintenance.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,721
Likes: 10,151
From: Garden Valley CA
Thats a bummer. Did not happen to me, but would not matter since my fluid change will be at 3 years and the FLM doesn't factor that in anyway.
I was just checking my warranty tracker data and noticed something important. Apparently the delivery date and start date for the warranty was entered by the dealer and recorded some 10 days before the car was delivered. It appears to match a date on the dealer invoice (I have a copy of that). But its not the date when I paid for the car and drove it home. I suspect that means the start of the 3 years for the fluid change is also 10 days earlier. I have other service records where the dealer put the correct delivery date on the service invoice so something is screwy. Anyway I'll just make sure its changed before that recorded date in the record. Hopefully though, as with the first filter change (prior to the later clarification) there is some unwritten tolerance on performance of the require maintenance.
I was just checking my warranty tracker data and noticed something important. Apparently the delivery date and start date for the warranty was entered by the dealer and recorded some 10 days before the car was delivered. It appears to match a date on the dealer invoice (I have a copy of that). But its not the date when I paid for the car and drove it home. I suspect that means the start of the 3 years for the fluid change is also 10 days earlier. I have other service records where the dealer put the correct delivery date on the service invoice so something is screwy. Anyway I'll just make sure its changed before that recorded date in the record. Hopefully though, as with the first filter change (prior to the later clarification) there is some unwritten tolerance on performance of the require maintenance.
I'm sure there is some leeway of the 3 years. I brought my C8 in for a last repairs just before the expiration of the 3 year B2B warranty which also coincided with my required oil change. I told the dealer I was going to do oil and fluid changes myself. The dealer was waiting for a response from GM on one of the issues and it took GM a couple of weeks to respond. So both were past the due date when they returned my car but they told me not to worry about it, GM gives a lot of leeway on it.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: CA
People should not have to drive sometimes hundreds of miles, wait around for hours in a waiting room, and pay $800 just for a "transmission flush". Their incentive is to have happy customers. There may be some laws either pending or on the books where manufacturers must allow third parties to perform service and repairs. That may be an incentive forced on them.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
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How is that going to harm anything? All it does is flush debris into the filter, which is where you want it anyway. Then replace the filter. This is not rocket science. If anyone does any harm, it is usually the dealer, anyway.
People should not have to drive sometimes hundreds of miles, wait around for hours in a waiting room, and pay $800 just for a "transmission flush". Their incentive is to have happy customers. There may be some laws either pending or on the books where manufacturers must allow third parties to perform service and repairs. That may be an incentive forced on them.
People should not have to drive sometimes hundreds of miles, wait around for hours in a waiting room, and pay $800 just for a "transmission flush". Their incentive is to have happy customers. There may be some laws either pending or on the books where manufacturers must allow third parties to perform service and repairs. That may be an incentive forced on them.
Third parties can purchase a license for the GM software required to do the flush, so GM already meets that requirement. Independent shops that do a lot of GM business probably already have that license.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: Virginia, Lynchburg-adjacent
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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Interesting perspective. Since we describe the HSF's purpose to move debris from the lines and valves to the filter (which traps them?) prior to replacing the filter. If they went through the filter then wouldn't they go through it again? So, maybe there really is another source of debris then? Maybe we do not have a full understanding of the what the HSF does? Or, maybe there is an unfiltered path? Or maybe there is a source of debris downstream of the filter. Or maybe the HSF is not really needed after the first time, but it is in there anyway. Or.....?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2023
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Interesting perspective. Since we describe the HSF's purpose to move debris from the lines and valves to the filter (which traps them?) prior to replacing the filter. If they went through the filter then wouldn't they go through it again? So, maybe there really is another source of debris then? Maybe we do not have a full understanding of the what the HSF does? Or, maybe there is an unfiltered path? Or maybe there is a source of debris downstream of the filter. Or maybe the HSF is not really needed after the first time, but it is in there anyway. Or.....?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,353
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The best way to circumvent DCT problems is to regularly change the filter. Best possible course of preventive maintenance action would be to periodically run the flush procedure on a new filter and then replace that filter with a new one.
