[goproz]

Hi everyone. I recently picked up a 2018 2ss with 5k miles. I am afraid of having problems down the road with the A8 transmission... Should I get a TC fluid flush now or wait and see if it shudders? If I got it now without any shudder would it be under warranty or would I have to cover it? Thanks!

[GroundhogSS]

I would recommend getting it. My 2017 is better with it. Only a little bit of shudder at 26K miles but now at 44K still running strong. I had it done twice. The second time was with the new fluid about 9K miles ago. I think they will now do it if you just ask for it. Check with your dealer.

[HCI2000SS]

The new fluid/flush can be done per request of the customer, regardless of the shudder or not. I'd definitely get it done

[KingLT1]

I would...I plan on getting mine done even though I have no issues.

[arpad_m]

Absolutely, you want to be on the good juice (Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP, blue label, GM part number 19417577) even if the trans isn't misbehaving, at least not yet.

I had it done as well despite no symptoms and the tune already on it, just to make sure the torque converter clutches won't get burnished over time---in other words, to sleep better about the trans (my dealer is awesome).

[majik755]

This is news to me, I've always heard you had to specific symptoms before they would take any action under warranty. Is there a Bulletin or TSB to reference to get a flush under warranty?

[LT4]

I would wait, then get it covered under warranty.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by LT4

I would wait, then get it covered under warranty.

No...

[MPLJR1222]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

No...

It depends on the dealer. I've had my dealer on 2 occasions tell me they could not "recreate the issue," and would not do the triple flush, at least not as warranty work

[dmcmahan60]

They do not have to do the Piccoscope measurement to prove it is the shudder problem. And as stated above it depends on the Dealer. My original dealership said they would not flush it until it had the symptoms. Moved and took it to a different dealership and said it had hard shifts sometimes. Made an appointment and had it done in a little over an hour. Shifts much better now.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by MPLJR1222

It depends on the dealer. I've had my dealer on 2 occasions tell me they could not "recreate the issue," and would not do the triple flush, at least not as warranty work

Was this before or after the latest TSB was released? I called the local dealership(Kelley Chevrolet) and mentioned getting the fluid flush while it was in for the steering recall about 2 months ago. The service manager said "no problem we can run it under your power train warranty"...no questions asked, no diagnosis needed. So perhaps this was before the latest procedure was released or your dealer isn't up to date because they are suppose to flush the trans/converter with no diagnosis needed.


Aside from that if I had a A8 with a stock tune, I would without hesitation get the original fluid flushed out with the latest procedure warranty covered or not. I wouldn't wait until the problem persists to the point damage is done to the converter clutches or you will more then likely be swapping out the converter at that point...and honestly that might be the best solution anyway being the Circle D and FTI converters seem to be working really well for the A8. I believe Circle D will rebuild the stock converter for 500.00 or you can step up to one of the performance units for around 1100.00. I was thinking about picking up a 3000 stall on black Friday if they go on sale for 800.00 again like last year.

I also highly suggest getting the TCM tune if you plan on keeping the car. I still believe a big contributor to the issue is the stock tuning combined with the original trans fluid. I am not 100% convinced the new fluid is the only issue here. Several have been able to curb converter shudder with tuning and still using the original "hydroscopic" fluid.

[JT58]

It sucks to keep seeing these posts after I had this same problem with my 2017. It made me dislike the car- the shuddering, shaking and mine transmission even slipped, tach bounding up and down and steady speeds. I end up getting rid of the car. My current Camaro has manual 6 speed and it is so much better than the 8 speed automatic- feels like a completely different car. I simply can't describe how much more I like the car with the 6 speed manual.

[Memphis SS]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Was this before or after the latest TSB was released? I called the local dealership(Kelley Chevrolet) and mentioned getting the fluid flush while it was in for the steering recall about 2 months ago. The service manager said "no problem we can run it under your power train warranty"...no questions asked, no diagnosis needed. So perhaps this was before the latest procedure was released or your dealer isn't up to date because they are suppose to flush the trans/converter with no diagnosis needed.


Aside from that if I had a A8 with a stock tune, I would without hesitation get the original fluid flushed out with the latest procedure warranty covered or not. I wouldn't wait until the problem persists to the point damage is done to the converter clutches or you will more then likely be swapping out the converter at that point...and honestly that might be the best solution anyway being the Circle D and FTI converters seem to be working really well for the A8. I believe Circle D will rebuild the stock converter for 500.00 or you can step up to one of the performance units for around 1100.00. I was thinking about picking up a 3000 stall on black Friday if they go on sale for 800.00 again like last year.

I also highly suggest getting the TCM tune if you plan on keeping the car. I still believe a big contributor to the issue is the stock tuning combined with the original trans fluid. I am not 100% convinced the new fluid is the only issue here. Several have been able to curb converter shudder with tuning and still using the original "hydroscopic" fluid.

I haven’t had the issue with my 2017 SS but my 2017 Colorado Z71 did this summer after the TSB came out and the new fluid. I was told by the dealer they are required to preform test and print graph to send to GM so the dealer doesn’t have to eat the service call. I was going to get the SS done just as a preventative and they said I would have to pay unless it failed test.

I checked to other dealers this area both said the same thing.. post some docs to support your claim..please would love to,have for down the road

Thanks

The Colorado failed the test had the fluid flush all good so far that was about 3000 miles ago, all good. Letts hope that is the fix

[MANNAXMAN]

Despite the fact that the latest version of the TSB indicates that "Diagnosis beyond the customer compliant is not required...", it is still dealer dependent. I have contacted two local dealerships and neither will perform the work without diagnosing the issue. I have contacted GM Customer Service and they have told me the same thing. GM Customer Service is so ignorant they told me that the TSB does not apply to my car because the TSB is VIN specific and does not come up when they enter my VIN. I told both the CS rep and her supervisor that it is a general TSB that applies to all vehicles with this particular A8 transmission. They would not budge on "It is VIN specific and does not apply to your vehicle" and were no help whatsoever. Hopefully you have a more knowledgeable and customer focused staff at your local dealership and they will know about the TSB and not dispute what it says.