GXP transmission flush, & flush in general
 

My GXP just hit the 65k miles mark, and i was thinking of taking it in for a tranny fluid change.

I heard from so many people that flushing the transmission will do nothing but damage it, my brother flush his and less than 48 hours later it started slipping and he lost it within months.

So if I'm to take it in, should i just drop the pan and change the filter and oil, or flush it too?

Any input/education is greatly appreciated

Sammy K.

I haven't had it done, but I have also heard that it causes a lot of problems. I'm not sure exactly why it does damage. I think you should just change the filter and fluid, and call it a day. :thumbup2

i dot see how you could do damage by changing the fluid either way as long as you got the right fluid put back in. that may be why some people have problems but it the incompetent shop not the car. i usually have the car flushed for a couple reasons, first is there is alot of fluid left in the torque converter and cooler. second is i cant seem to figure out how to do it with out taking a bath in trans fluid, i would like to find whoever decided it would be a good idea not to have a drain plug and give them a good smack

Flushing can stir up, or break free, deposits in the transmission that can cause problems, but IMHO these are problems you were going to encounter anyway. I always maintain my car with the long term in consideration. If you are going to sell your car in the next few thousand miles, don't flush. If you want to keep if for a long time, flush every time you change your transmission fluid.

Flushes are over-rated; however, if the shop offers a fluid exchange (that is, they make you idle your engine during the process), that's perfectly safe.

IIRC the GXP trans is a two part process just to do a pan drop. With a flush too I feel they don't always change the filter. I would look around and see who has the better process. Also ask how well they keep the maintance up on their transmission service machines.

There is a alternate way to do this. It does not allow you to inspet the inside of the pan, nor does it allow you to repalce the filter, but it is painless and super easy. You need to do this 3 times to maximize the effect (over a few weeks). I'll let 2KG4U confirm or deny this, but the best benefit of replacing your auto trans fluid on your 2005 is you can update to the new DEXTRON VI. This may be the best reason to do the fluid exchange.

Step one- go to Wal-Mart and purchase the follow:
24 quarts of DEXTRON VI
I large underbed storage container

Step two- Go to hardware store and purchase:
20 feet of hard (not the soft hose)clear plastic hose, about 1/4

Step three:
Place container on floor near frot of car
Pop hood and remove AT measuring stick and place safely to the side
Insert plastic hose into the AT fluid pan via the measuring stick entrance
Siphon via your mouth the fluid, when it gets near the end place the end of hose in the pan- this is easy as the hose is clear and fluid is read and slow moving
Place a rock on hose near end of of line in pan to make sure hose doesn't move out of pan

In two hours, the fluid should be out of the tranny and into the container (less the torque converter and what the siphone misses)

Measure the amount of fluid siphoned and replace with new fluid.

Do the above two more times over a week or two. This is a very gentle way to exchange the fluid with turning a single wrench. Is it perfect, no..... but I think it may be well worth while.

Please don't ever suggest siphoning by mouth. Go out and get a simple $10 pump.

I don't like the idea of syphoning the transmission fluid out, mostly because when I spend the money for new fluid I want to change the filter as well, but also because I want to examine the pan for any little surprises that might be there.

If I'm to do it, i am taking into the local GM dealer. They offer tranny oil and filter change for $299.00 or they can flush it and clear all the lines for $499.00

I'm just hesitating on the whole flushing thing.

How often should a tranny be flushed?