4L60E Transmission Filter Kit Installation Instructions - According to Chevy maintenance guidelines, you should change the automatic transmission fluid in your Silverado every 30,000 miles if you use it under ...

According to Chevy maintenance guidelines, you should change the automatic transmission fluid in your Silverado every 30,000 miles if you use it under normal operating conditions. If you do a lot of towing or hauling with your Silverado, Chevy recommends that you change the automatic transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.

As a chevy or gmc truck owner, you know how important it is to replace the transmission filter on your truck. A new filter will keep the oil flowing at the right pressure and free of contaminants that accelerate wear and cause internal damage. However, many times, we end up neglecting the transmission or paying too much because we do not know how to do it ourselves. Save money by learning how to replace the filter.

Step by Step

1. Run engine in well ventilated area for 5 minutes, or drive your truck for a few minutes to warm up transmission fluid.
2. Position vehicle on a clean, flat and level surface. Stop engine.
3. Place a drain pan under transmission to catch the old fluid. Use caution while draining, the fluid is HOT!
4. If the pan has a drain plug, remove and drain. Most vehicles do not have drain plugs. Remove 4 to 6 bolts from the pan on a convenient side to catch the fluid. Loosen the remainder of the bolts so that the pan is allowed to tilt and release fluid into the drain pan.
5. After the fluid has stopped draining, remove all the bolts, and lower pan carefully. There is still some fluid trapped in the pan. Carefully remove the old gasket.
6. Use a gasket scraper in good condition to remove the gasket or any crusty material on the pan and transmission where the new gasket will go. Make sure that you do not scratch these surfaces, as will happen with a screw driver or a putty knife that has a rough edge on it. After the materials are removed, make sure the sealing surfaces are very clean and smooth.
7. Remove any clips or bolts that are holding the old filter in place. Properly discard the old filter. Install the new filter being careful to include any filter gasket, "O" ring or filter seal that came with the filter. Replace the clips or bolts where necessary.
8. Use a small amount of grease on the pan's gasket area and position the gasket in place. Do not use adhesives, cements or sealants on the gasket. Carefully place pan on the transmission, making sure the gasket is lined up and flat.
9. Finger tighten bolts, starting in the middle and using cross patter, tighten bolts to 80 inch pounds, then working in a cross sequence, tighten to 120 inch pounds.
10. Refill transmission according to manufacturer's recommended procedures.
11. Run engine again to warm up the fluid and check operation of the transmission by shifting into different gears. Check for leaks.
12. Check fluid level on the dipstick. Do not overfill.

Nice write up!
It's important that you mention the truck be level and not on ramps.
I always wondered why there's no drain plugs on auto trannys, it would make draining so much easier and less messy!

Thanks for the write up!