I've never changed my own transmission fluid before. I was surprised to learn that the owner's manual doesn't cover how to change it.

Can anyone walk me through it? Or show me where I can find information on how to do it? Things like any special tools needed, etc.

I've got the NV5600.

I already have 5 bottles of Redline MTL waiting.

 

you need a 17mm hex key to remove the fill plug... either buy one, or make one with M10 nut & bolt welded together or 2 nuts used as a jam nut. i welded a set together [the jam nut was slipping and the plug was real tight]. to drain remove the drivers side lower pto cover bolt. the lower bolt is the drain hole [on both sides i believe, but more access from drivers side] and once drained, apply sealent to threads of bolt and reinstall it. you could also remove the drivers side cover and get the rest of the oil out [you are left with about 1 pt that doesn't quite drain] and you can clean off the magnet that is in the bottom. that doesn't really need to be done, but i like doing so. there is no gasket on the cover so you need a good sealent, or there [from what i have read] are pto plate gaskets avalable from napa or gm you can use to seal the cover to the case..

 

doomgaze,

Make certain the fill plug can be removed before draining the fluid.

Just changed my MTL this weekend. You'll like the difference.

 

I changed mine this weekend as well. With 15k on my truck, I could tell the oil needed done, i.e. felt looser and harder to find the gears. I could not find redline anywhere, so I stopped at the local amsoil dealer. Went with their synthetic 75w-90 tranny oil. The result was a much tighter shitfting trans. The old oil was clean but had a tint to it. The amsoil guy told me that their oil was a lifetime oil, we'll see how it holds up. I also changed the transfer case too and used amsoil synthetic atf. I will be doing the rearends at 30k, since everyone on here has said that the 15k interval is entirely too soon.

 

NOOOOOOOO. Do Not use 75w-90 in the NV5600 tranny. This tranny is designed to only use a 5w-30 type transmission oil. Get it out ASAP. The dealer should have sold you Amsoil MTF 5w-30. That's what I run in mine.

MikeyB

 

Alright well I wasted about $40 in oil then. Thanks.

 

Drain the oil into a clean pail. You can use it in the axles.

MikeyB

 

Thats what I figured.

 

Just a little note on the 17mm allen wrench, if you are unable to find one like me you can use a 17mm grade 8 bolt. I tacked a couple nuts on and just used a regular wrench with the bolt, worked like a champ.

Several places I checked didn't carry a hex key that big...

 

Not everyone on here has said that; especially if the vehicle is still covered under the warranty. If anything, just like engine oil, I'd do the first oil change on schedule rather than waiting (because you read it on the internet).

 

Sears carries the 17mm hex key. It comes in one of those vinal tool pouches.

 

Used MTL, IMHO, I think it shifts worse????????
I've heard all the hooplaa about it and I'm very disappointed. I filled it to the top of the hole. I will jack the rear end up and see if I can't get another 1/2 quart in her. It would only take 4 quarts and at that I dribbed on the driveway. If no better I'm draining it and Amsoil the next contestant. I don't know what else to do Flame Away, I've got my suit on

 

DSLRammin,
I jacked up the rear of the truck high as I could get it when adding the fluid. Able to get little over 4.5 qts of Amsoil MTF into the tranny. I found with the MTF the tranny shifting is smoother and I can now downshift without double clutching. But it's still a HD tranny and can't be rushed. The fluid before that was Pennzoil Synchromesh which was marginally better than the stock fill.

MikeyB

 

My transmission seemed to shift better with Amsoil than with MTL. FWIW, I could only put in about 4.5 qts one time (Amsoil), and only 4 the next (MTL) - and I changed the oil in the same place so I can't attribute it to the vehicle leaning one way or the other.

I don't jack my truck up to change the fluid. When it dribbles out the hole I stop pumping. Amsoil will go in next time I change it out.

 

Well the reason I said this is because I haven't towed heavy a whole lot and when I did, it was short distances. Most of my miles have been unloaded or light towing. They already have synthetic in them so in my case I think it would be too much.

MikeyB thanks for your advice, I got the 75w90 out last night and replaced it with the MTF. The Amsoil guy gave me his cost because he sold me the wrong oil.