I drive a 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT. 5.3L V8. Has 172,987 miles on it. I've had the truck for 4 years now and never changed the fluid in the transmission. BUT I got the truck used from a dealer with 110,000 miles on it. The transmission has never had issues, no overheating, and shifts fine. I've been told to leave the fluid as is and just change the filter, that changing the fluid would cause more harm then good. But I've also been told to change the fluid every 60k. I just don't want this to sneak up on me and start having issues with the transmission and risk bad damages.
I drive a 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT. 5.3L V8. Has 172,987 miles on it. I've had the truck for 4 years now and never changed the fluid in the transmission. BUT I got the truck used from a dealer with 110,000 miles on it. The transmission has never had issues, no overheating, and shifts fine. I've been told to leave the fluid as is and just change the filter, that changing the fluid would cause more harm then good. But I've also been told to change the fluid every 60k. I just don't want this to sneak up on me and start having issues with the transmission and risk bad damages.
When the dealership took possession of that truck, they most likely didn't change the fluid, especially if it's a "sealed for life" transmission (there's no such thing, transmission fluid still gets every bit as dirty as the old days). That's why we said to see the FAQ, we get this same exact question at least 3x a day sometimes. The FAQ is basically a complete guide to whether or not you should change your fluid. As an example, fluid should be dark red, and not gritty or smell burned. If it's gritty, friction material has already been worn off the transmission and changing it likely will lead to slipping. Take a sample of transmission fluid and see for yourself. If that truck has never had its fluid changed, leave it. GM automatic transmissions have pretty much always been their weakest link.
Sorry you don't like the answer (down vote), but questions about changing transmission fluid have been asked here probably about a septillion times. (OK, maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration but at least hundreds if not thousands of times.)
Therefore detailed information about transmission fluid changes for different types of transmissions have been collected in the aforementioned FAQ. Have a look if you have not already done so.
