How to Open, Check and Fill Chevy Silverado 1500 Transmission Fluid

Want to check your truck's transmission fluid? Here's how in this video with Publisher Tim Esterdahl showing the way on the Chevy Silverado 1500.
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[@woofman4796]

A non dip stick transmission is 1 of the stupidest designs on vehicles today,

[@jakegroenig5820]

I had a 2007 Tacoma with a similar setup. Auto makers have been making it harder and harder to do simple maintenance for many years.

[@woofman4796]

@jakegroenig5820 my 2016 Silverado z71 off road with a 5.3 v8 had a dipstick, my 2022 Colorado does not have 1

[@Donny.C.wlWilliams]

I dont think so what about manual trans gearboxes they have no stick

[@woofman4796]

@@Donny.C.wlWilliams but they have a plug on the side to check or add gear oil

[@coltonlight5532]

Especially since it doesn't also have a sight glass...they made the oil change easy, drain plug and filter are right next to each other, but then dropped the ball with checking trans fluid level...

[@tranquilityspace8248]

"Sealed System" and lifetime transmission fluid life, yet the owners manual states to change it at 50K (for severe driving)...additionally, no capacities mentioned in the manual, only "take to dealership"

[@ttgk8506]

I tow every day so I change every 40k

[@BearPapa49]

Tim I like it all the stuff you’ve done to the truck. Save it for me for a buy !

[@Chevelle_5150]

Is the there a thermostat delete for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lt with a 10spd? They have them for the 6 and 8spd but i cant seem to find one for the 10

[@pauldiesel4582]

That looks so much easier and convenient than a hood access dip stick! GM always advancing.

[@davidporter7051]

The mechanic said why not having a dipstick makes sense. Guess you don't like to pay attention and prefer to spout off with ignorance.

[@pauldiesel4582]

@@davidporter7051 Having a bad day?

[@Rich-cp4wo]

​@@davidporter7051you are the only one "spouting off with ignorance" right now lol the dude was simply just stating he liked the method

[@Boobtube.]

@@Rich-cp4wo what pauldiesel4582 said and what he meant are two different things. Davidporter7051 is correct. Guess you missed the "!" in his message and the always advancing part. He was digging at GM, saying they are so far behind technology. Reality is, checking fluid with a fill plug is the best way to get the levels exact. No dipstick can match it.

[@ricksmith4736]

@@Boobtube. Then BMW is in the stone age...

[@christiannhein4532]

Like the video truly appreciate what you guys are doing big thumbs up perhaps though you could include the year of the vehicle that you’re working on next time, but thank you nonetheless for the time spent to make their video thank you

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Good feedback. It’s a 2023 model.

[@raymondperales6612]

Thanks for the video Sir.

[@Boobtube.]

I've used that trick of a boxed wrench on the allen wrench for more leverage plenty of times.

[@JFEnterprize]

I’d be scared to put that kinda leverage on aluminum. 🎉

[@Boobtube.]

@@JFEnterprize it had to come out. Maybe he was just playing it up for the cam and not really putting much pressure on it, but needed to put just a tad more at the end to break it loose.

[@chuckchar]

Avid busted knuckles with deep socket same size as Allen wrench + extension

[@DougT25427]

Changing the fluid in a 10L80 is a strict PIA from start to end. I watched this video thinking the author would make a mention of the tool sizes used... but instead I had to listen to his blather.

[@TheKing-sm9ks]

It literally looks like a hex key with a long wrench being used as leverage to pop the hex nut off. Then a pump to fill the tranny fluid. Doesn't get much simpler than that.

[@timothyboone5003]

Please inform us where they show how to get the old fluid out. It has to come out before new goes in. You yourself said it couldn’t get any simpler. That’s what I’m looking for.

[@NovaHockey8]

@@timothyboone5003well if you read the title, it says “how to check level and add”. It doesn’t say “how to flush and change filter”.

[@airratchetjockey7605]

Now do that on a V8 with the exhaust right next to that plug

[@jkrlozjherdez2924]

The truck have to be running to do it? 🤔 thanks

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

No it has to be warm. Not running.

[@radiohead2206]

So what grade transmission fluid does 10L80 take? Does Mobil 1 make that?

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

I don’t recall. I bought it at O’Reilly so it isn’t too rare. IIRC it is in the owner’s manual.

[@henryb4868]

The 10L80 calls for ULV (ultra low viscosity) Transmission oil. I know valvoline makes it. Right around 16 to 20 bucks a quart. Expensive crap

[@toenails.]

Sounda like a Cummins Diesel idling

[@ALMX5DP]

Rule #1 when doing fluid changes, make sure you can undo the fill port before you drain anything. :P Also how did you guys warm the transmission with the bypass installed? I’d think it would stay at or near ambient with the bypass.

[@Boobtube.]

they did not drain any transmission fluid.

[@ALMX5DP]

⁠@@Boobtube.technically I never said he did, but he did let fluid out when doing the transmission cooler and bypass block so the rule kinda still applies anyways. :)

[@Boobtube.]

@@ALMX5DP hmm... "when doing fluid changes, make sure you can undo the fill port before you drain anything." Sure seems like you were insinuating he did.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@Boobtube. just part of the rule, to be read like instructions. And technically fluid was drained. ;)

[@cs1992]

Gotta be a better way of obtaining proper fluid levels.

[@Boobtube.]

this way is actually the most accurate way. this fill plug setup has been around over 50 years.

[@curtisrandell13]

There’s not

[@JimWellman]

What you mean to say is that there's gotta be an easy way that allows you to see a level line. Although this way is messy, it's accurate. Overflow = full.

[@curtisrandell13]

@@JimWellman Jim knows. Been around a minute

[@SeahawkAz]

With a Tundra there are fill, drain and level checking plugs. You want to make sure the fluid temp is within a certain range than check using level check hole. In a 13 qt transmission the difference between cold and operating temp ATF is roughly 3/4 qt

[@mkennisebc]

Can you tell GM to make up fitter switches an option when ordering? Also ask them to make these performance ppe upgrades an option? What else would you like to see be options at order time or just be standard?

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Probably won't offer the PPE upgrades ever through GM sadly. Upfitter switches is all about demand. If consumer buy a lot of them through the options catalog, GM will make them as an orderable option.

[@yungsoup4280]

look up 404 parts and you can install the upfitter switches yourself using the factory wiring on your truck.

[@colton7846]

Where is the video for the bypass and radiator install?

[@colton7846]

Nevermind, I found it. Should have had the bypass and radiator install in the name of the video too instead of just PPE oil pan.

[@kushington1790]

Way to show exactly where the hole is.

[@Primol21]

The vehicle should be warm when checking the transmission fluid level but my question is, Am I supposed to have the vehicle on while filling it? In the video it sounds like the vehicle is on.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

No the truck is off. Just run and warm things up then turn it off.

[@Primol21]

Thank you for the quick response!

[@barrycayer1904]

@@Pickuptrucktalkhey guy, I have 60,000 on my 2019 Chevy pick up, RST V-8, can I flush mine or is it to late, I'm thinking I'm fine, going to do next few days, had a 97 Z-71 and changed at 75,000 miles no issues, thanks much

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

@@barrycayer1904what kind of miles? Lots of towing and hauling? Then, change it. If not, follow the owners manual on service intervals for normal driving.

[@OptiSpark350]

​@Primol21 the transmission should be at operating temperature and running. When the level check plug is removed, you're usually waiting for it to come out about 1 drop per second. I havent come across the procedure for this 10L80 yet but its similar to other non dipstick transmissions. Also the fill plug is on the top of this trans and its tough to get at in situ.

[@kirkdunn1379]

with engines and fluids.... too much is always worse than a bit low going to change my transmission fluid in my 23 here shortly before I hit 10k miles, check transfer cases and rear end differential as well.....keep it clean with good stuff and minimize issues later......fluids are cheap and am sure the factories use the most economical stuff they can find

[@user-qw7tx3rs9x]

Show what your doing Can’t see anything

[@thomaschiappa1104]

Are you selling this truck?

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Next month. I'll have a video when I sell it.

[@aaronramirez9147]

WHY HAVE THE RUCK ON????IF YOU HAVE A COOLER THE RANNY FLUID IS NOT GONNA FLOW UNLESS YOU ARE MOVING

[@edcast6705]

I hate my stupid truck such a dumb design. How TF am I supposed to do this without the special pump .

[@Celtic-Lion___]

Jambi

[@Smiley-oz6ip]

And yea ase certified you should have eye protection just encase it squirts in your face or eyes