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Bulletin No.: 16-NA-019

Service Bulletin Date: August, 2016

INFORMATION
Subject: Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh
Shifts, Slips, or Flares

Model Year: VIN: Engine: Transmission:

Brand: Model:
from to from to
Equipped with
Buick 8L90 and 8L45
All GM
Cadillac Automatic
Passenger
2016 2017 All Transmission
Chevrolet Cars and
(RPOs M5U,
GMC Trucks
M5T,
M5N, M5X)

Involved Region or Country North America and N.A. Export Regions

Some customers may comment on low mileage vehicles with an automatic transmissions
that the shifting may feel too firm (harsh), slips, or flares. Customers should be advised
Condition
that the transmission makes use of an adaptive function that will help to refine the shift
feel while driving and improve shift quality.

Correction of the apply components within the transmission over

time can cause shift time (the time required to apply a
Important: Using Tis2Web please check the ECM/ clutch) to be longer or shorter than desired.
TCM Software/Calibrations against what’s currently in
the vehicle and if the description of the update is In order to compensate for these changes, the
relevant to the customer concern please perform the transmission control module (TCM) adjusts the
update prior to proceeding with the learns below. By pressure commands to the various pressure control
completing the software/calibration update, the clutch (PC) solenoids to maintain the originally calibrated shift
adapts will clear and thus a Service Fast Learn followed timing. The automatic adjusting process is referred to
by Adaptive Learning may be needed to further learn as “adaptive learning” and it is used to ensure
specific clutches if shift concern exists. consistent shift feel plus increase transmission
durability.
The following should be used to determine what steps
should be followed within this document. The 8-Speed The TCM monitors the A/T input speed sensor (ISS)
transmission utilizes a total of 5 clutches to obtain all and the A/T output speed sensor (OSS) during
the ratios. Utilize the chart within this document to commanded shifts to determine if a shift is occurring
determine which clutch may require additional adaptive too fast (harsh) or too slow (soft) and adjusts the
learning. corresponding PC solenoid signal to maintain the set
shift feel. The purpose of the adapt function is to
• If a transmission replacement was required, reset automatically compensate the shift quality for the
the adapts using Service Fast Learn. Evaluate the various vehicle shift control systems. The adapt
shifts and further learn pressures and volumes if function is a continuous process that will help to
required. maintain optimal shift quality throughout the life of the
• If a customer has a specific shift concern, the vehicle.
Service Fast Learn should be skipped. Complete
the driving learn procedure to further learn How to Adapt Your Transmission
pressures and volumes for the complaint shift. Transmission adapts can be reset and relearned on
Transmission Adaptive Functions most vehicles through GDS 2 by using the
Transmission Service Fast Learn procedure. This
The Hydra-Matic® 8-Speed RWD transmission utilizes procedure is completed in the service stall and no
a line pressure and volume control system during vehicle driving is required.
upshifts to compensate for new transmission build
variation as well as the normal wear of transmission
components. The variation from new and normal wear
Copyright 2016 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 2 August, 2016 Bulletin No.: 16-NA-019

To complete the Transmission Service Fast Learn Note: Within GDS2 a Transmission Service Fast
procedure, enter GDS 2 Diagnosis and navigate to: Learn Data page has been created to aid in performing
• Module diagnostics adaptive learn by showing throttle percentage, engine
• Transmission Control Module speed, transmission fluid temperature, and gear
command.
• Configuration / Reset Function
• Transmission Service Fast Learn To Learn C1 (For 6-7 or 3-1 Shift)
Transmission Service Fast Learn is the recommended 1. Pressure Learns:
method to reset and relearn adapts. This procedure is
Note: It is recommended to utilize a road with a speed
available on all 2016-2017 MY Trucks, Cars and SUVs
limit between of 30-45 mph (48-72 km/h) for this
with 8L45 and 8L90 Automatic Transmissions (RPOs:
procedure.
M5U, M5T, M5N, M5X).
When the Service Fast Learn is complete, perform a • Shift the transmission into 6th gear with the
test drive and note any soft or harsh shifts. PRNDM in the M position. Obtain an engine
speed between 1000 and 1600 engine rpm.
To improve these complaint shifts further, locate the
Maintain this condition for a total of about 5
clutches that need to be learned in the following table
miles (8 km). Cruise control may be used and
below, and perform the required learning procedure for
has been found to result in faster learning of the
each clutch listed in the chart. Execute the steps below
clutch values.
with the vehicle warmed up on a smooth level road. The
driver may observe a brief pulse behavior or firm shift 2. Volume Learns:
feel while the transmission is optimizing the clutch learn • Complete 15 light throttle 6-7 upshifts at
characteristics. approximately 15% throttle to further learn C1.
Note: The transmission fluid temperature must be To Learn C2 (For 6-5 Shift)
between 35°C (95°F) and 95°C (203°F). Drive vehicle
under normal conditions until this temperature range is 1. Pressure Learns:
achieved. If temperature is outside this range, the Note: It is recommended to utilize a road with a speed
clutches will not be learned. limit 40-45 mph (64-72 km/h) for this procedure.
• Perform 10 normal mode 6-5 coast down shifts
Learn These Clutches (zero/light brake) to learn the C2 Return Spring
To Correct The
Shift Feel Applying Releasing pressure.
Clutch Clutch 2. Volume Learns:
1–2 C4 C3 • Shift the transmission into 8th gear with the
2–3 C3 C1 PRNDM in the M position. Obtain an engine
speed between 1000 and 1750 rpm. Maintain
3–4 C5 C3
this condition for a total of about 5 miles (8 km).
4–5 C3 C4 Cruise control may be used and has been found
5–6 C4 C2 to result in faster learning of the clutch values.
6–7 C1 C4 To Learn C3 (For 2-3, 4-5, or N-D Shift)
7–8 C4 C3 Important: Application Specific Silverado & Sierra
3–1 C1 C4 e-Assist (RPO M5X) Trucks: To enable Adaptive
Learn on 8-7 Coast downs a power on (~15% throttle
2–1 C3 C4 thru the upshift) 7-8 upshift must be performed prior to
C3 – Perform garage shift adaptive each downshift. This action enables TCC controlled slip
N-D
learning on downshift to occur vs. TCC unlocked which occurs
C5 – Perform garage shift adaptive on normal downshifts and disables Adaptive Learn. As
N-R a supplement if the previous procedure is unsuccessful
learning
using GDS TCC Control Functions, TCC can be left
Just perform the shifts and they will enabled during 8-7 Coast downs to aid in learning C3
Power Downshifts
adapt pressure.
1. Pressure Learns:
Note: If the harsh shift is noted when the vehicle is • Perform 10 normal mode 8-7 coast down shifts
coming to a stop and shifting into 1st gear, this (zero/light brake) to learn the C3 Return Spring.
downshift is most likely a 3-1 shift.
Note: This sequence is MY 2016-2017 specific and
varies from MY 2015. The following adaptive
learning procedure was developed to further learn
clutch pressures and volumes required for specific
shifts. To expedite the learning process, it is
recommended to utilize a road with minimal traffic
volume that has as smooth and level surface as
possible.
Bulletin No.: 16-NA-019 August, 2016 Page 3

2. Volume Learns: Power Downshift Adaptive Learning

• Complete 15 light throttle 2-3 upshifts at Starting with the vehicle operation in 8th gear, slowly
approximately 15% throttle to further learn C3. apply pressure to the accelerator pedal until downshift
To Learn C4 (For 1-2, 5-6, or 7-8 Shift) occurs. Repeat as necessary in each gear (8, 7, 6, 5, 4,
3 and 2).
1. Pressure Learns:
Note: This procedure will learn the off-going clutch
Note: It is recommended to utilize a road with a speed adapts for desired power downshift control.
limit between of 40-45 mph (64-72 km/h) for this
procedure. Garage Shift Adaptive Learning (For N-D or N-R
• Shift the transmission into 7th gear with the Shift)
PRNDM in the M position. Obtain an engine 1. After above clutches are learned C3 –Drive and C5
speed between 1000 and 1750 rpm. Maintain – Reverse. With the vehicle at a stop, hold foot on
this condition for a total of about 5 miles (8 km). brake pedal and move the shifter from Neutral to
Cruise control may be used and has been found Drive and release the brake once in gear allowing
to result in faster learning of the clutch values. the vehicle to roll 5-10 feet or Neutral to Reverse
Important: Application Specific Express & Savana and release the brake once in gear allowing the
Vans Pressure Learns: Perform 10 normal mode 7-6 vehicle to roll 5-10 feet. Repeat as necessary until
coast down shifts (zero/light brake) to learn the C4 desired shift quality is achieved.
Return Spring. Note: This procedure will learn the C13567 (C3-Drive)
2. Volume Learns: and C45678R (C5 – Reverse) oncoming clutch adapts.
• Complete 15 light throttle 1-2 upshifts at
approximately 15% throttle to further learn C4. Warranty Information
To Learn C5 (For 3-4 or N-R Shift) Labor Description Labor Time
Operation
1. Pressure Learns:
Note: It is recommended to utilize a road within a 8480318* Transmission Service Fast Use Actual
Learn Clock Time
Business Park or similar area, where it is safe to drive
at very slow speeds of approximately 5-25 mph (8-40 *This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.
km/h).
• Shift the transmission into 3rd gear with the
PRNDM in the M position. Start a very slow
acceleration, starting at about 1000 rpm.
Maintain the slow acceleration until you reach
about 2500 rpm. Once you reach 2500 rpm,
slow back down to 1000 rpm and repeat the
slow acceleration up to 2500 rpm. Repeat this
10 times.
2. Volume Learns:
• Complete 15 light throttle 3-4 upshifts at
approximately 15% throttle to further learn C5.

Version 2
Modified August 19, 2016 – Added 2017 Model Year and updated information.

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technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY
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