My tranny oil started to smell burned the first summer I had it. I had no mods to the drive train. If you drive really hard you should have a tranny cooler, minimum. I did my tranny filter and oil at 11000km. There was sludge on the magnet. I never hurts to change oil and filter. Mine was flushed the next summer approx 24000km.
Tranny oil is like diapers, if it stinks it's time for a change.

 

The 4l60e in our trucks Suck if you plan on making power. I drive my truck hard, and i am on the second trans. I blew the first one @ 7k miles. im @ 9500 now on the second one. If you use a poWer adder I.E sc/n20 expect to blow the 2to3rd clutch packs. they just cant TAKE THE HP OR TQ.

 

I think you should definitly change your fluids. Tell me what it could hurt? Ive heard about the metal shavings etc and when I first bought my truck after like 1000 miles I changed all the fluids. Dosent cost too much and Ill sleep better at night. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

I agree. I have no problem changing the tranny fluid myself but should I have the tranny flushed too!?

I dont really know where to take it to do this other than the dealer ship and I am afraid to because 1.) They will charge WAY to much to do it! and 2.) They will probably look at my crazy when I ask to do it at such low mileage! How much do you guys think I should pay to have this done? Maybe a local jiffy lube place could do it, as long as I watch them do it.

Also how hard is it to change the fluid? Can I fill it from under the hood or do I need some type of pump to do it from under the truck. Should I buy the Haynes manual on my truck? I know they dont have a 2003 manual but is it correct to assume that the 2000+ manual should basically be the same as my 2003?

thanks for all the help

Glenn <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

In my opinion, you'd probably be best off spending the money to have someone do a full flush - that way, you're getting rid of everything (i.e. contaminants). I did mine at really low mileage, too (around 10,000), but it helped me sleep better. Definitely watch them do it - if you have to call ahead and ask them if it's OK, it's worth it. You'll get to see the fluid that came out and compare it to the fluid coming in.

The 2000+ Haynes Manual might be somewhat useful, but you're probably better off waiting for the 2003 version to come out.

That's just my 2 cents - good luck with whatever you decide!