Newby here with questions

[greenhorn]

Hello! Nice to find a forum dedicated to Tahoe's and Yukon's. I'm hoping to learn from all your experiences on the do's and dont's with my vehicle. I have had real good experience with automotive and motorcycle forums and hope to have the same experience here.

Brief history about my ride:

It's a 2WD, 4.8L, 2003 Tahoe base model (which really is not real basic and has more bells and whistles than I had hoped for). Purchased brand new in California. It has the 3rd row seating which is rarely used (It is folded up 99% of the time). It has about 51k miles (mostly freeway). I just replace the factory Firestones a week ago with BF Goodrich radial long trail TA's (retained factory 16" wheels). What a difference in ride and noise level from the unevenly worn but still legal tread, factory tires. My Tahoe has never towed anything. Don't have a tow hitch yet. The only addition I added were a front grill guard, rear bumper guard, black fender flares and hood bug guard.

The last oil change at 48k miles was with Mobile 1 full synthetic. Before that was with a synthetic blend and dyno oil up until then. I am about due for another oil change and I plan to use full synthetic from now on. I had the transmission fluids fully flushed by the dealer at 30k miles and filter replaced (should have been anyway). I thought I was due for another until I came across this forum (question 4 below)

My questions:

1-What is your opinion on the 4.8L engine?
2-What is your opinion on using synthetic engine oils?
3-Do you recommend synthetic fluids in the auto tranny?
4-How often should the transmission fluids be replaced? How about the filter? I think I read on hear that the original fluid could last 100k miles with normal use. Is this true?
5-How often should the rear differencial oil be replaced? What fluid do you recommend?
6-How long did your original brake pads and shoes last?

I have tons more questions which I'll save for another post if I don't find them in the search option.

Thanks!

Luis

 

[withac]

Synthetic for the crankcase, I use Royal Purple. If could afford to fill the tranny with RP I'd do that too. RP makes a gear oil as well.

 

[MadMedwyn]

"4-How often should the transmission fluids be replaced? How about the filter? I think I read on hear that the original fluid could last 100k miles with normal use. Is this true?"

Yes that's true. The manual states that with easy driving you can go 100k without changing trans fluid. But if you tow, carry heavy loads, or go offroad you should change at 50k. I didn't start towing with mine until I hit 65k, so I changed the trans and diff fluid right before. (I've got 68k miles now).

But I'd say its always better to change too early than too late. The mechanic who did mine was pleased to not find a single metal shaving when he changed mine

 

[withac]

I have heard from several guys that the 4L60e trannys most of these rides have are prone to early failiure, around the 100K mark, and these are die hard LS1 fans so we're not talking Chevy detractors here. I bought my 2K 'Ho last December. The mileage is in the low 90's, the tranny went out three weeks ago. I would NOT wait until 100K miles. Even if you don't tow install an auxilliary transmission cooler at the bare minimum, heat is the enemy of any auto tranny. A 'Vett servo is a very cheap easy to do mod that will help. A shift kit is more labor intensive but will make the tranny shift quicker and firmer. These slush boxes are made to give nice smooth shifts to keep the soccer moms happy, problem is, that slow smooth shift causes excess wear. If you don't want the labor of a shift kit at least do the servo and the cooler.