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SUBJECT:

#1099, Rev. R
February, 2012
Page 1 of 25

Transmission Fluid/Filter Change Recommendations – Elimination of the Initial 10,000 Mile Control
Main Spin­On Filter Change for 1000/2000 Product Families Transmissions

MODELS AFFECTED:

All Commercial On­Highway Products, AT 500 Series, MT 600 Series, HT 700 Series,
1000 and 2000 Product Families Transmissions, 3000 Product Families Transmissions
(includes B300/400 and T200/300), 4000 Product Families Transmissions (includes
B500 and T400/500), H 40/50 EP Products

Introduction:
Optimum performance and reliability of heavy­duty automatic transmissions can be noticeably influenced by the
type of fluid used and the frequency with which that fluid is changed. Allison Transmission has designed extensive
programs including specifications and tests to verify the quality of fluids and consequently have specific fluid and
filter change recommendations. Due to field studies, changes in emission requirements, vehicle design, and
operating environments, Allison Transmission has realigned recommended fluid and filter change intervals.
Heavy­duty Automatic Transmission change intervals have been revised to more closely match today’s operating
environments. Allison Transmission Inc. no longer requires the Initial 10,000 Mile Control Main Spin­on Filter
change under its scheduled maintenance procedures for 1000/2000 Product Families Transmissions. This change
applies only to 1000/2000 Product Families Transmissions.

Model Year 2009 and 2010 Prognostics:
Prognostics that monitor and maximize fluid and filter life were offered in Model Year 2009 for 1000/2000/3000/4000
Product Families Transmissions. 3000/4000 Product Families Transmissions began using Prognostics with serial
numbers 6510822005 (3000), 6520099957 (3000), 6610257671 (4000), 6620007438 (4000). 1000/2000 Product
Families Transmission Prognostics were first available in July of 2008 (MY2009). MY2009 Allison Prognostics
must only be used with Allison Approved TES 295 or TES 468 fluids. January 2010 Allison Prognostics are
compatible with TES 295, TES 468 and TES 389 approved fluids in 3000/4000 Product Families Transmissions
starting with TCM calibration CIN 4C or later (4C­xxxxx­yyy­z) and all January 2010 1000/2000 Product Families
Transmissions.
All 3000/4000 Product Families Transmissions utilizing Prognostics require the use of Allison High Capacity filters.
All 1000/2000 Product Families Transmissions utilizing Prognostics require the use of Allison Control Main Spin­On
filter, P/N 29539579. 1000/2000/3000/4000 Product Families Transmissions may or may not have this feature
"enabled" or turned ON. This option requires that the OEM provide the wiring necessary and the feature enabled in
the TCM. Refer to the appropriate Operator’s Manual for the methods of identifying if Prognostics is enabled.
Refer to Table 4 for Filter/Fluid Change Intervals/Fluid Capacities by Product Family

SA / SL4136EN

288195

Copyright © 2012 Allison Transmission, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

#1099, Rev. R
February, 2012
Page 2 of 25

Fluids and Specifications:
Fluid types are defined by applicable performance specification. The following transmission fluid types are
approved for use in Allison Commercial On­Highway transmission products.
Fluid Type
TES 295 and TES 468 Fluids
• See www.allisontransmission.com for a list of Allison
Approved TES 295 and TES 468 fluids

Recommended (Intended) Usage
• General or severe duty
• Extended change interval (4) (required)
• Extended Transmission Coverage (ETC) policy
(required)
• Prognostics (required) MY2009
• TES 468 fluids are required for H 40/50 EP products

Allison Approved Non­TES 295 and Non­TES 468 Fluids
(1)(2)
• Schedule One TES 389*

• General or severe duty
• Standard change interval (4)
• Prognostics MY2010 (5)

• Military specification fluids (for use in Military Vehicles
Only) (3)
* See www.allisontransmission.com for a list of Allison
Approved TES 389 fluids
(1) TES 228 (C4 type) fluids are no longer approved for use in Commercial On­Highway transmission products and have
been removed from the Allison Approved Non­TES 295 and Non­TES 468 fluids list.
(2) DEXRON®­III and DEXRON®­VI fluids are no longer approved for use in Commercial On­Highway transmission products
and have been removed from the Allison Approved Non­TES 295 or Non­TES 468 fluids list.
(3) Military specification fluids are approved for use in Military Applications in 3000, 4000, AT, MT, and HT Series products
only, and are strictly prohibited from use in 1000 and 2000 Product Families transmission products.
(4) Fluid and filter change intervals are based on transmission model, vocation (duty cycle), and fluid type (see attached
charts). NOTE: Fluid drain intervals are based on 100 percent fill with Allison approved fluids. Fluid change intervals may be
adjusted based on fluid analysis and fleet data. Refer to Service Information Letter (SIL) 17­TR­96 for details.
(5) Prognostics are available with Allison Approved TES 295, TES 468 and TES 389 fluids only.

Local conditions, severity of operation or duty cycle may require more or less frequent fluid change
intervals that differ from the published recommended fluid change intervals of Allison Transmission.
Allison Transmission recommends that customers use fluid analysis as the primary method for
determining fluid change intervals. In the absence of a fluid analysis program the fluid change intervals
listed in the charts must be used.
For information concerning models not listed in this publication, please call the Allison Technical
Assistance Center at 1­800­252­5283.
Refer to the latest revision of Allison publication number GN2055EN, “Technicians’ Guide to Automatic
Transmission Fluid”, and SIL 17­TR­96 for additional information on oil analysis and general knowledge about
transmission fluids.

Transmissions Not OEM Factory Filled with TES 295 or TES 468 Fluids:
New vehicles delivered from the OEM with a mixture of TES 295 or TES 468 fluid and Allison Approved Non­TES
295 or Non­TES 468 fluids must follow fluid/filter change recommendations for Allison Approved Non­TES 295 or
Non­TES 468 fluids outlined in flow charts. If the customer fills the transmission with Allison Approved TES 295
or TES 468 fluid, the change recommendations of Allison Approved Non­TES 295 or Non­TES 468 fluids must

Copyright © 2012 Allison Transmission, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

#1099, Rev. R
February, 2012
Page 3 of 25
be followed. Upon the second oil change, if the customer reinstalls TES 295 or TES 468, the fluid/filter change
recommendations outlined in 100 percent TES 295 or TES 468 approved fluids must be followed. H 40/50 EP
Products require OEM factory TES 468 fluids.

Fluid Exchange:
Fluid exchanging machines are not recommended or recognized due to variation and inconsistencies that may not
guarantee removal of 100 percent of the used fluid.

3000/4000 Product Families and H 40/50 EP Filters:
New high­capacity filters were released into production beginning with:
6510670912 (3000)

6610205144 (4000)

7110001551 (H 40/50 EP)

6520067342 (3000)

6620002521 (4000)

3000/4000 Product Families Transmissions Elimination of Initial Filter Change Requirement
and Kit:
Transmissions equipped with Allison high­capacity filters do not require an initial main filter change at 5000
miles/8000 km/200 hours. However, serial numbers prior to those numbers listed above, Allison Transmission
requires the initial filter change interval. An initial main filter kit P/N 29540495 (2 inch) or kit P/N 29540496 (4 inch)
contains only one Gold series filter and all necessary seals and gaskets to perform the first 5000 mile/8000 km/200
hour main filter change. These kits have been completely cancelled. Once stock has been depleted, it will be
necessary to order the high­capacity filter from the Allison Parts Distribution Center.

High­Capacity Filters:
Allison 3000/4000 Product Families and H 40/50 EP high­capacity filters were released into production beginning
July 2006. High­capacity filters allow extended filter change intervals when used with Allison Approved TES 295 or
TES 468 fluid. High­capacity filters can be identified by P/N 29545777 or P/N 29545780 stamped into the filter end
cap. Previous Allison 3000/4000 Product Families and H 40/50 EP filters can be identified by P/N 29538231 or
P/N 29538232 stamped into the filter end cap.
Table 1. Filters
Product Families
3000/4000
H 40/50 EP

Gold Series Filter Kit (Former)

High­Capacity Filter Kit (Current)

P/N 29540493 (2 inch)

P/N 29548987 (2 inch)

P/N 29540494 (4 inch)

P/N 29548988 (4 inch)

P/N 29541508

P/N 29545785

NOTE: Extended 3000/4000 Product Families transmissions Allison Approved TES 295 or TES 468 fluid
and filter change intervals are only allowed with Allison high­capacity filters. Filters must be changed
at or before recommended intervals.
When replacing Gold series filters with high­capacity filters in transmissions containing 100 percent Allison
Approved TES 295 or TES 468 fluid, it is allowed to follow high­capacity fluid and filter change intervals.

Copyright © 2012 Allison Transmission, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

#1099, Rev. R
February, 2012
Page 4 of 25

Initial Transmission Filter Change Schedule (Production/ReTran®)
1000 and 2000 Product Families Transmissions Spin­On Control Main Filter change at 10,000 miles (16 000
km)/400 hours is NO LONGER REQUIRED
*3000 and 4000 Product Families Transmissions — Main Filter 5000 miles (8000 km)/200 hours
*3000 and 4000 Product Families Transmission ReTran® — Main Filter 5000 miles (8000 km)/200 hours
H 40/50 EP Products Spin­On Control Main Filter 5000 miles (8000 km)/200 hours
AT Auxiliary Filter 5000 miles (8000 km)/200 hours
MT Auxiliary Filter 5000 miles (8000 km)/200 hours
*Not required beginning with S/N 6510670912, S/N 6610205144, S/N 6520067342, S/N 6620002521, and
S/N 9320005689, S/N 9370006284, S/N 9420006679, S/N 9470005459

1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 Product Families Hours vs. Miles Chart
Table 2 (2000/3000 Hour Based Maintenance) and Table 3 (4000/6000 Hour Based Maintenance) list the
equivalent mileage based on the Allison recommended change intervals for Allison Approved TES 295 or TES 468
approved fluids. For example, vocations or vehicles that operate with a high density shift cycle typically reach
the 6000/3000 hour change limit before the recommended mileage limit.
An example could be a transit bus equipped with a B500R that operates an average of 7 mph (11 km/h).
Recommended fluid/filter change interval for a B500R equipped with 2 inch control module in a transit vocation
using a TES 295 or TES 468 fluid is 150,000 miles/240 000 km/6000 hours or 48 months whichever occurs first.
Using Table 3 Hours vs. Miles, a vehicle operating at 7 mph (11 km/h) will travel approximately 42,000 miles (66
000 km) in 6000 hours. If an odometer is used to determine when to change the transmission fluid and filters, this
specific vehicle would change the fluid every 42,000 miles (66 000 km) and filters every 21,000 miles (33 000 km).
Estimating average mph can be approximated by dividing total distance traveled in a typical day by the hours
elapsed during that total distance. An example would be a vehicle that operates on average 96 miles (155 km) a
day over an 8 hour period would average 12 mph (19 km/h).

Copyright © 2012 Allison Transmission, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Table 2. 2000 and 3000 Hour Based Maintenance — Hours vs. Miles
2000 Hour Based Maintenance

3000 Hour Based Maintenance

km Equivalent

MPH Average

miles Equivalent

km/h Average

km Equivalent

MPH Average

miles Equivalent

5

10000

3

6000

5

15000

3

9000

6

12000

4

8000

6

18000

4

12000

8

16000

5

1000

8

24000

5

15000

10

20000

6

12000

10

30000

6

18000

11

22000

7

14000

11

33000

7

21000

13

26000

8

16000

13

39000

8

24000

14

28000

9

18000

14

42000

9

27000

16

32000

10

20000

16

48000

10

30000

18

36000

11

22000

18

54000

11

33000

19

28000

12

24000

19

57000

12

36000

21

42000

13

26000

21

63000

13

39000

23

46000

14

28000

23

69000

14

42000

24

48000

15

30000

24

72000

15

45000

26

52000

16

32000

26

78000

16

48000

27

54000

17

34000

27

81000

17

51000

29

58000

18

36000

29

87000

18

54000