Video Guide: Flush 6L80 / 6L80E Silverado transmission flush and filter change

The.Sundae.Drive · April 26, 2018

We created a detailed guide showing all the steps necessary to flush your 6L80 and 6L80E (E denotes electronically controlled) transmission and change the filter. This guide can also be used to do a transmission fluid change.

This video was created using my 2014 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8. For this vehicle, GM recommends that the transmission fluid and filter are changed (not flushed) every 97.5K miles for regular service and 45K miles for severe service.

The 6L80 /6L80E Transmission is used in the following vehicles:

Chevrolet Corvette
Cadillac XLR
Cadillac STS
Cadillac XLRV
Cadillac STSV
Chevrolet Avalanche
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Sierra
GMC Yukon
Cadillac Escalade
Hummer H2
Pontiac G8

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Parts (Affiliate)
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Transmission Pan Gasket GM PN 24224781
ACDelco https://amzn.to/2r0agfe

Transmission Filter GM PN 24236933
AC Delco https://amzn.to/2r2j2JM

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Tools (Affiliate)
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Pick Tools: https://amzn.to/2r0ZV2I
1/2" Clear Tube: https://amzn.to/2I0N74m
3/8" Clear Tube: https://amzn.to/2r4e27h
Milwaukee Cordless Impact: https://amzn.to/2r1xQrU
Transmission Funnel: https://amzn.to/2Kgqb1V

From the GM Owner's manual for my 2014 Silverado:
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When to Check Fluid Level
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How to Check Fluid Level
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When to Change Fluid
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Regular Service: Every 97,500 Miles
Severe Service: Every 45,000 Miles

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Recommended Fluid
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DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.

(I use AMSOIL ATF Fluid) https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/automatic/signature-series-fuel-efficient-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid/?code=ATLQT-EA

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Capacity & Torque Specs
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The following capacities are taken from AMSOIL.com for the 2014 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8. Always refer to your owner's manual for factory recommendations.

Fluid Change Only = 6 Qts.
Fluid Flush = 12.2 Qts.
Fluid Flush with HD Cool = 12.4 Qts.

Transmission Pan Bolts Torque = 80 in-lbs

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Relevant Videos
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How to Change Rear Differential Fluid: https://youtu.be/ndDNH3DCzzE

How to Change Front Differential Fluid: https://youtu.be/yhjNsAoQllc

How to Change Transfer Case Fluid: https://youtu.be/HyHXnjg_lZ4

Edited April 26, 2018 by The.Sundae.Drive

jd173706 · July 13, 2019

Nice video, thanks for putting it together. I know you posted this over a year ago, but it sucks nobody commented or really gave you any support because this is a pretty legit video write-up on how to do this procedure. I've done it twice on my '14 1500 Silverado, I now have 151k miles and my transmission is still shifting like new. I'll say two things I disagree with on this video are: 1. you didn't show/mention replacing the rubber/metal gasket the filter slides into, it's tough to remove but should be changed. 2. you do not have to jack up the transmission and winch down the exhaust to get the pan out. It is tough, I grant you. But it can and should be done without stressing the trans and exhaust like that. If you pull the filter down when the pan is unbolted, and move the gasket aside just like in your video, you can rock the deep part of the pan towards the driver's side and push it up, and it will JUST clear that white plastic wire harness that hangs down. Then to reinstall you place the loose filter in the pan, lift and slide it over the exhaust, then push the filter in place and align the pan/gasket and tighten. I promise I've done it that way with my own two hands, twice. But otherwise good job, somebody deserves to give you some credit for putting this together, for DIY'ers who haven't yet done it themselves and want to give it a shot I'm sure it's extra appreciated.

Edited July 13, 2019 by jd173706
Rock pan towards driver side, not passenger as I had originally stated.

The.Sundae.Drive · July 15, 2019

On 7/12/2019 at 10:12 PM, jd173706 said:

Nice video, thanks for putting it together. I know you posted this over a year ago, but it sucks nobody commented or really gave you any support because this is a pretty legit video write-up on how to do this procedure. I've done it twice on my '14 1500 Silverado, I now have 151k miles and my transmission is still shifting like new. I'll say two things I disagree with on this video are: 1. you didn't show/mention replacing the rubber/metal gasket the filter slides into, it's tough to remove but should be changed. 2. you do not have to jack up the transmission and winch down the exhaust to get the pan out. It is tough, I grant you. But it can and should be done without stressing the trans and exhaust like that. If you pull the filter down when the pan is unbolted, and move the gasket aside just like in your video, you can rock the deep part of the pan towards the driver's side and push it up, and it will JUST clear that white plastic wire harness that hangs down. Then to reinstall you place the loose filter in the pan, lift and slide it over the exhaust, then push the filter in place and align the pan/gasket and tighten. I promise I've done it that way with my own two hands, twice. But otherwise good job, somebody deserves to give you some credit for putting this together, for DIY'ers who haven't yet done it themselves and want to give it a shot I'm sure it's extra appreciated.

Thanks so much for that feedback! Definitely plan to replace the gasket during my next change. Do you have a trick to removing the old one? I know they tend to be jammed up in there pretty tight on some transmissions. I'll try your method for removing the pan next time. If there is an easier way to do it I'll make a video showing that. Picked up a few tricks from comments on the video that I think I'll incorporate into an update video when I do the next change. Thanks again for the feedback! Always looking to learn.

Caleb Barrett · June 25, 2021

Can't tell you how much this video helped me out. I originally spent a few hours trying to do a fluid flush on my 15' Silverado with the 6L80E by following this generic article, https://innovatecar.com/transmission-fluid-flush-the-basics/...

Needless to say if you look at the article you can pretty easily find out why it was taking me so long, lol. Just about any tutorial would work better but I found this video to be exactly the help I needed to get the job done so thank you.