My 2008 Duramax 5500 has 2500 KM on it .
When should I think of changing oil? Should I get the oil out now because of all the assembly lube etc?
If I do it myself can someone tell me the proper oil filter # so I don't have to crawl under?
Thanks in advance
:)

You shouldn't have to change it for a while, but many do early on, 1000-2000 miles, for the very reason you state.
I don't have the AC delco filter number but the wix is 57202 if you're going to the local store. 10qts with filter.

You shouldn't have to change it for a while, but many do early on, 1000-2000 miles, for the very reason you state.
I don't have the AC delco filter number but the wix is 57202 if you're going to the local store. 10qts with filter.


MD trucks use 14 or 15 quarts of oil.

M1 is a M303 and actually tested out better than the K&N, amsoil, and obviously the fram filters. Filtration was pretty much the standard 8um but flow rate was higher than the other filters I have tested.

http://volvospeed.com/Pics/Review/m1_oil_filter_review1.jpg

As for oil the above poster is correct. Order 4 gallons and you will be set.

Yes you should change the oil , I usually change it at the 1000 km's. You want to get rid of the metal particles in the oil they are what do the damage to the engine/ parts. As far as filters I don't know yet. Also get to having a log book of everything that you do to the truck that includes fuel fullups as well. They are easily done and become a legal document if problems arise. I have been keeping one on vehicles since 1978.

I totally missed the 5500 part. Thanks for the correction Joey!!

With my bypass kit...my 4500 holds an even 4 gallons of engine oil.

Should the Allison External filter be changed as well ?

At ~5k I would along with the fluid.

I was searching through the MD forum looking for info on oil changes and came across this. Excuse my ignorance . . . is there both an "internal" and "external" oil filter? I'm not sure I'm following the post above.

Volvospeed - what is an M1? Is that a brand of filters and the M303 is the type/size we need?

Should the Allison External filter be changed as well ?

The Allison trans has a external filter and a Internal pan filter. Your Duramax only has a external oil filter. But most of us change the external trans filter when they change the engine oil.

Jager, M1 is a Mobil 1 oil filter with a part number of M303. Change the external transmission filter regularly, Alison says change the internal filter when the pan comes off for service.

GM recommends oil changes at 24,000 KM/15,000 miles or 1 year. Whichever comes first.
Allison wants the trans filter changed at 8000 KM/5000 miles.
I would do both the first time at trans filter change time. After that I would stick to no more than 10,000 miles. But that's all I do in a year.
Get a oil analysis on engine oil every change. That will tell you if your oil is being changed to early or not. I use Blackstone Labs (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/).

Thanks guys. I can't believe I didn't figure out M1 = Mobile 1 . . . duh. I knew the tranny had an internal filter. I didn't know to change the external tranny filter that frequently. I would have missed that one. I will change both. Cheap insurance.

ronjhall . . I have read several threads about getting the used oil tested but have never done that before. I will give it a shot just to see what I learn. Thanks for the reference.

BTW 2005 and newer MD trucks have Transynd in them from the factory. RPO code MBT.

BTW 2005 and newer MD trucks have Transynd in them from the factory. RPO code MBT.

Thanks, didn't know that either. Some people swear by this oil/fluid or that oil/fluid, Allison seems like a good company and seem to have a good product. You'd think they would put good oil in their tranny that should help to protect it. I'll probably just stay with that. It should also help to not mix different varieties of tranny fluid.

There is a magnet on the spin on transmission filter to pick up magnetic particles. It often sticks to the filter and it is easy to toss it out with the filter so be sure to look for the magnet and put it back where it belongs.

there is soooo much invaluable information on this site!! I get my hands on my c4500 this weekend!! (2006 c4500 4x4)

Does anyone know the part numbers for the transmission filter? I am looking in my owners manual and it has every filter you can think of except the tranny filter.

Also, can you change the external tranny filter without draining the transmission fluid? I expect you'd loose some fluid but didn't want to have a gallon pour out.

Part number for spin on filter 29539579

Yes you can change it without dumping fluid.

Well that was perhaps the easiest oil change I have ever done. No lift or ramps needed.:) My 4 x 4 sits high enough to just put a 5 gal pail under the pan and pull the plug. Both filters came off pretty easy, no big problems.

The helpful hint about the magnet is HUGE ! ! I would have tossed that magnet out with the old filter for SURE!

Since my truck is 2008 I assume it has Transdyne in it. Do you guys continue to run Transdyne or do you change it out? Has anyone mixed different tranny fluid in with the original Transdyne? I'm leaning towards staying with the Allison tranny fluid (Transdyne) but have no clue where I'm going to get it locally. I called several parts store and no one carries it. Anyone have a suggestion on where to get it?

The only other suggestion I would make to people who do this in the future is to get a good sized funnel with a 24" or 30" flexible hose on the end of it. You can buy a plain funnel and just attach a clear plastic hose on the end of it if you want but there is no way you are going to get a gallon jug of oil or a standard funnel anywhere near the filler input.

Check out a Allison service center for Transynd.