Change rear diff fluid today

[2010 Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by daphatgrant

Just curious where it says this, I believe you but this gets brought up a lot and I'd like to be able to point out where in the manual it states this next time it gets brought up.

Well tell'em 2010(space)Bumblebee told you ! The is another 2010Bumblebee. That's not me !

I saw it in plain black and white. I'm looking for it. I'll lead to some of the areas where I found it quickly, but it is in there somewhere in bold lettering. Maybe someone else will come across it.

Ahh, Found it page 8-17. See attached owners manual.

On page 8-7 it says;

The new vehicle break-in must be
performed before the vehicle is used

for competitive driving. See New

Vehicle Break-In on page 8-16

-------------------------------
A break in period accoring to the manual is 1500 miles see page 8-16
-------------------------------

On page 8-17 it says;

Should the vehicle be used for
racing or competitive driving
(after break-in), the rear axle
lubricant must be replaced
beforehand.

-------------------------------
On page 8-7 it goes on to say;

If the vehicle is used for racing,

competitive driving, sustained high
speed, or events that generate
excessive wheel slip, the rear axle
fluid temperatures will be higher
than would occur in normal driving.
We recommend that the rear axle

fluid be drained and refilled with
new fluid after every six hours of

racing or competitive driving.
-------------------------------

So lets say you are going to break it in and race it at 1500 miles. You would change your engine oil and diff fluid knowing that there is junk in your diff. Then at some point either after 6 hours of some kind of racing like a road course or drag racing according to the manual it would be a good idea to do it again.

I personally believe in the 1500 mile diff fluid change. It's metal and wears in together. I know it wasn't done in the old days, but I believe your diff could last longer without that junk in there. As far as changing it after every time you race. Well, after drag racing In my opinion I'd say not needed every time, but after a long road course with a lot of high speed curves, sliding and drifting, with tires spinning, I'd say change all your fluids.

For those of you that don't know, on page 9-30 there is a picture of the drain and fill.

[Bonanza7]

I don't race, so the 1,500 would not, necessarily, apply to me, but considering the very dirty fluid that came out, and there were still shavings, I would say the 1,500 would be a good point to change it. Better safe than sorry later. I am a flight instructor, and an old mechanic said: "when was the last time you saw an engine wear out from not changing the oil? When was the last time you saw one wear out from changing it too often?" I figure that would go for everything else that uses fluid, also.

[IROCanSS]

17000 mines been changed, let's see... 1, 2, 3 times. One tome there was some REALLY big pieces of metal in there. When I went back to the stock gear, I ran it for a while and then changed to Mobil 1. There was a little leftover debris but nothing major.

[2010 Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by Bonanza7

I don't race, so the 1,500 would not, necessarily, apply to me, but considering the very dirty fluid that came out, and there were still shavings, I would say the 1,500 would be a good point to change it. Better safe than sorry later. I am a flight instructor, and an old mechanic said: "when was the last time you saw an engine wear out from not changing the oil? When was the last time you saw one wear out from changing it too often?" I figure that would go for everything else that uses fluid, also.

The 1500 mile first time diff fluid change is a good idea, just like changing the motor oil after 500-1000 miles the first time. I did my enigine oil around 420, and my oil again and diff at about 1700 miles. When I when to the dealer thay were like "change the diff fluid ??? like you don't need that for atleast 30K miles". In the old days nobody ever changed the diff and the rear ends lasted a long time, but knowing what we know now a simple $66 fluid change at the dealer will make your diff last longer and still keep it covered under waranty. You could do it yourself for about $15.

Isn't driving a just camaro ss almost like competitive driving?

[ZED SLED]

I don't normally do competitive driving, but when I lived in the Detroit area it was an everyday occurrence.

[2010 Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by mclark10

I don't normally do competitive driving, but when I lived in the Detroit area it was an everyday occurrence.

Exactly ! It depends where you live and how you drive !

[Bonanza7]

mclark...that is one of the reasons I left that nuthouse and moved to Arizona. 25 miles to work, never could keep a car nice, and in the winter, it could take 4 hours to get home at night.

[rd-camaro]

havent changed mine yet...with 12,500 miles on it...

[cterry]

Thanks for the reminder. Going to do mine this weekend as well. Just needt o decide on Redline, Royal Purple or sticking Factory Mobil one. I hear a lot of good things about Royal Purple.

[2010 Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by cterry

Thanks for the reminder. Going to do mine this weekend as well. Just needt o decide on Redline, Royal Purple or sticking Factory Mobil one. I hear a lot of good things about Royal Purple.

I'd may go with the the mobil 1 for the waranty, but the label is misleading. It's called LS and says it's formulated for limited slips but if your car calls for additive you still have to add it. Read it carefully.. I had mine done at the dealer for $66 total. They said they used something new that they are using in the vettes. I think it's GM fluid. It was cheaper because it came with the additive in it.

[burntOmaro]

Originally Posted by cterry

Thanks for the reminder. Going to do mine this weekend as well. Just needt o decide on Redline, Royal Purple or sticking Factory Mobil one. I hear a lot of good things about Royal Purple.

Royal Purple. Heard nothing but awesome stuff about it. That's what's going in mine on saturday.

[Silver Ice]

Be changing mine soon. 3000 miles right now.

[afireinside]

Originally Posted by Dan@showstopper

I changed the rear end fluid with Amsoil severe gear and slip lock additive. I'm happy I did beacuse the fluid looked very metallic. Trans is next this spring.

Did you need the additive? I read on here amsoil dosent need it, but on their site is says its recommended.....

[FRANK121]

Just had mine changed out to Amsoil ... the stuff that came out was nasty and had little micro pieces on the magnetic drain plug. It looked like sludge but the tech showed me once He wiped it off that it was micro pieces of metal! Did a few figure eights in the parking lot and left with a smokie burnout

Glad I had it changed but I can't tell any difference ... But I know I have some good stuff in there now!