Truck Scheduled Maintenance

T

trailertrawlerkismet

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
2,519
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Vessel Name
(2022) Kismet
While having our GMC 2500 serviced for an oil change the GM dealer said my truck was due for the coolant, 4WD transfer case and transmission oils to be changed. Our truck has 63,000 miles on it, is 5 1/2 years old and I have only used the 4WD when reloading our boat. I did not have these items done yet but wanted to ask for my fellow Tugnuts opinions for there collective wisdom on what your thoughts are on having these maintenance items performed. What do others do ?

Jim F
 
Jim,

I did all my transfer cases and transmission at 52,000 miles. I have not done my coolant yet, but it is due.
 
Jim,
The coolant is good for 5 years or 100,000 miles so Chevy says. We had our antifreeze changed because of the age of it before our last trip. Our truck had the transmission fluid changed along with a filter and the transfer case and both differentials oil changed at 50,000 miles.
I do the engine oil changes so I never end up having to do it while in the middle of a trip. If we have 8000 miles on the oil and a 3000 mile trip planned I do the oil before we head out. Amsoil does not recommend using synthetic oil to extend oil change intervals in Duramax engines. I change the fuel filter every oil change no matter what the computer says which is always well in advance of the suggested interval.
I plan on switching to Amsoil transmission fluid as its been reported to drop the transmission oil temperature by 25% as reported by an actual end user truck owner. I'll will do the differentials and transfer case again at a 100,000 miles as I believe doing oil changes on differentials and transfer case every 50,000 is cheap insurance. Using four drive or not the differentials still spin. On our last trip we did have an issue. It seems that the intercooler which sits in front of the radiator has larger gaps in between the fins than the radiator. So debris gets through the intercooler and then packs up in the radiator fins. We had the radiator and intercooler pulled out and pressure washed as our temperature was running higher than normal on long hard pulls. The build up is heavier that is right in front of where the fan is located. Something you and other diesel brand owners should keep in mind. In our travels people also stressed to not run these trucks low on fuel. The pumps are lubed by the diesel fuel and are after the fuel filters. Without the lubrication from the diesel fuel during the fuel sloshing around causing the pump to run dry can cause particulates to foul an injector. Plus the fuel pump is buried in the engine and is expensive to replace. This was reported to true for most brands.
 
I would tend to err on the side of long term peace of mind, rather than hitting the exact mark on mileage or time. When it comes to maintenance intervals, giving you guys and the truck and boat better odds on preventing a breakdown I would hope make it one less thing to worry about.

FWIW, the Georgia State Patrol changes oil in it's regular patrol vehicles every 3000 miles.
 
I use synthetic oil in the engine and go 5,000 and change filter also. I changed oil, transmission and differentials before the trip to the PNW. When I arrived in Washington I had the oil and filter changed rather than having too much mileage on the oil I opted for too little and piece of mind on the return trip. Before winter I will replace antifreeze. My truck is a 2011.
 
Thanks Mike and Dave. I'll be making arrangements once we return home from the PNW. Currently boater homing in Miles City, Montana for the night and half way home. If anyones heading west or east on I-94 Big Sky RV Park is $22.00 a night, includes power, internet, cable tv, showers and a pool....best deal of the trip.

Jim F
 
Jim,
Quite a deal on the campground. Our cheapest was 27 dollars at WYO Campground in Burns WY just about 15 miles east of Cheyenne. We stopped there on the way out and met a nice couple who were staying there waiting on settlement for the home they were buying. They saw us pull back in on the way home they went out and bought us a bottle of wine. It was windy kind of foggy, misty and about 43 degrees. We headed for the campgrounds laundry where it was warm and we doing some wash there anyway. We partied like rock stars. Not really but we did drink the wine.
 
yes, change all the fluids at the recommended interval. Whether you use the 4WD or not there are parts turning inside the transfer case.
I won't get into the synthetic versus dino-poop, religious war :mrgreen:
 
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