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Cost for transmission fluid change?

18K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  Hunter62  
#1 ·
Just curious - I've done all my own oil changes on my truck (aside from the first 2 that were included) and usually have done transmission fluid changes on my other cars but looking at the videos it looks like a much more complicated process on my 2017 Colorado (I've got the V6 engine which the guy in the video said had a few more things that had to be removed vs the I4).

About what rate does a dealership charge for this on average? Also, outside of the dealership, would you typically trust a 3rd party automotive shop to do this or should I stick with the dealership?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I'd say you should expect to pay around $300 for the dealer to do a trans service.
 
owns 2017 GMC Canyon Denali
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#6 ·
The chances of getting a full fluid exchange for the prices quoted, from a dealer, are minimal. None of my dealers within a ~30 mile radius do a fluid exchange when quoting or performing a "trans fluid service." If the service advisor says they do then ask if you talk talk to a tech directly about the service. I had one dealer say (and charge for) a full fluid exchange with 12qts of fluid and they I even said "this is for a fluid exchange, right? Not a drain and fill?" and they said yes. The next time I had the service done I had a different service advisor and I asked the same thing, he said no, they don't do that for transmission fluid service. They just drain, replace the filter, and fill.

I called another dealer and asked if they do a fluid exchange or just drain and fill, they said drain and fill.

I called an independent shop and asked...they also only do a drain and fill.

It's also important to make sure they don't do a fluid flush, like with a BG machine that uses solvent and can cause more problems than a simple fluid exchange. If it's a drain and fill then the $300 is on-par. If it's $450 then I would make doubly sure it's a fluid exchange.

I hate it when service advisors lie or make things up just to appease the customer, and it's even worse when they charge for a service that they didn't even do.
 
owns 2017 GMC Canyon Denali
#7 ·
My dealer has the price on their website along with oil, diff and transfer case fluid change.
go to where you set up for a service appointment and it might be there, as I think they all use the same system.