Allison 4000 Series Transmission
Specs, gear ratios, oil change interval and warranty
Allison Transmission
The Allison 4000 Series is a fully automatic transmission for vocational and severe-duty trucks. It is not an automated manual like the others on this site. Allison says it handles engines from 380 to 800 hp and up to 2,360 lb-ft of input torque. It has six or seven forward gears, depending on the model.
Allison Transmission published the Allison 4000 Series figures in its own documents. Last reviewed November 3, 2026.
What are the Allison 4000 Series specs?
| Type | Fully automatic (not an automated manual) |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 6 or 7, depending on the model |
| Engine power | 380–800 hp (283–597 kW) |
| Maximum input torque | 2,360 lb-ft (3,200 N·m) |
| Recommended fluid | Allison TES 668, for on-highway 4000 Series units |
| Weight and GVW | Not stated on Allison's 4000 Series pages |
Compare the Allison 4000 Series with the others in the transmission specs reference, and see which truck it sits in on the truck model specs.
What should you check before you spec or buy a truck with the Allison 4000 Series?
- Make sure it fits the job. Allison builds the 4000 Series for vocational and severe-duty work and lists engines from 380 to 800 hp and up to 2,360 lb-ft of input torque.
- Use Allison TES 668, the fluid Allison recommends for on-highway units. Allison also lists TES 295 and TES 468 as approved. The pages we read do not state an oil capacity or a change interval, so use Allison's Fluid + Filter Calculator or the owner's manual.
- Get the warranty in writing. The Allison pages we read do not state a term.
Which 4000 Series models does Allison list?
Allison's model table lists gears and reverse ranges for each model. It does not list a 4200 model.
| Model | Forward gears | Reverse |
|---|---|---|
| 4000 | 6 | 1 |
| 4500 | 6 | 1 |
| 4700, 4800, 4900 | 7 | 2 (deep and standard) |
| 4970 TerraTran | 7 | 2 (fast and standard) |
What fluid does the Allison 4000 Series use, and how often do you change it?
Allison recommends its TES 668 fluid for 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series on-highway transmissions. TES 295 and TES 468 are also approved for the 4000 Series on-highway. Allison advises owners who use TES 295 or TES 468 to consider TES 668 at their next service.
| Recommended fluid | Allison TES 668 |
|---|---|
| Also approved, 4000 Series on-highway | Allison TES 295 and TES 468 |
| Oil capacity | Not stated on Allison's 4000 Series or on-highway fluid pages |
Allison's 4000 Series and on-highway fluid pages do not list fluid or filter change intervals. Allison points to two tools for them.
- Allison publishes a Transmission Fluid/Filter Change Recommendations document and a Fluid + Filter Calculator on the Allison HUB. Use them with your duty cycle to get the interval for your truck.
- Allison also offers a Transmission Fluid and Filter Change Procedure instruction sheet that covers the 3000 and 4000 Series.
Put your Allison 4000 Series service on a schedule with the maintenance scheduler. If a warning light comes on, decode it with the fault code lookup.
What warranty does the Allison 4000 Series have?
Warranty, as the maker lists it
- The Allison 4000 Series pages we read do not state a warranty term. Check the written warranty for your truck.
Which engines and trucks go with the Allison 4000 Series?
Allison says the 4000 Series is built for construction, energy, mining and defense. It lists these uses: construction, defense, fire and emergency, mining and specialty, oil and gas, pickup and delivery, refuse and utilities, RV and motorhome, and transit and coach bus. A July 2025 Allison news release says the 4000 Series is now offered with the CARB low-NOx PACCAR MX-13 in the Kenworth T880 and Peterbilt 567.
Fitted in the Kenworth T880 and Peterbilt 567.
What Allison Transmission claims
- Allison describes the TerraTran (4970) as an uprate of the 4000 Series with more horsepower, torque and gross vehicle weight capability. The page gives no figures for it.
What is not published about the Allison 4000 Series?
- Weight, GVW and GCW ratings
- Fluid and filter change intervals
- Oil capacity
- Gear ratios
- A warranty term
- A price
There is no public, independent failure-rate data for any heavy-duty transmission, including the Allison 4000 Series. This page does not rank reliability. It lists what the maker publishes: ratings, ratios, fluid, service intervals and warranty. For a used truck, ask for the service records and check the oil and clutch history.
How does the Allison 4000 Series compare with other transmissions?
Each transmission guide on this site follows the same format and the same sourcing rule, so you can read the Allison 4000 Series next to the others. We do not name a winner.
- Detroit DT12Automated manual, 12-speed
- Eaton Cummins EndurantAutomated manual, 11-, 12- or 18-speed
- PACCAR TX-12Automated manual, 12-speed
Side-by-side comparisons with the Allison 4000 Series
Allison 4000 Series frequently asked questions
What fluid does an Allison 4000 transmission use?+
Allison recommends TES 668 for 4000 Series on-highway units. TES 295 and TES 468 are also approved. Allison advises owners on TES 295 or TES 468 to consider TES 668 at their next service for the Allison 4000 Series.
How often should you change the fluid in an Allison 4000?+
Allison's 4000 Series pages do not list a change interval. Allison points to a Transmission Fluid/Filter Change Recommendations document and a Fluid + Filter Calculator on the Allison HUB, which use your duty cycle to set it. A dealer can run that for the Allison 4000 Series in your truck.
How much fluid does an Allison 4000 hold?+
Allison does not state a fluid capacity on its 4000 Series or on-highway fluid pages. The capacity changes with the model, the cooler and the pan, so use the service manual for your exact unit.
Is the Allison 4000 Series an automatic or an automated manual?+
It is a fully automatic transmission. It is not an automated manual like the Detroit DT12, PACCAR TX-12 or Eaton Endurant. Truck makers often choose a full automatic for stop-and-go, off-road and PTO-heavy work.
How many gears does an Allison 4000 have?+
Six or seven forward gears, depending on the model. The 4000 and 4500 have 6 forward gears and 1 reverse. The 4700, 4800 and 4900 have 7 forward gears and 2 reverse ranges. The 4970 TerraTran has 7 forward gears and a fast and a standard reverse.
Does the Allison 4000 Series have common problems?+
No independent failure study exists for the Allison 4000 Series. Allison does not state a warranty term or a change interval on its 4000 Series pages. For a used truck, ask for the fluid and filter change records and which model it is.
Sources for the Allison 4000 Series
Run a Allison 4000 Series truck? Let a dispatcher handle the rest.
Grow Trucking finds loads, negotiates rates and does the paperwork for owner-operators and small fleets. Tell us about your Allison 4000 Series truck and we will show you how we can help.
Also: About Grow Trucking · Refer a carrier · Trucking blog
Ratings, intervals and warranty terms for the Allison 4000 Series change by model year and configuration. Confirm the exact figures for a specific truck against Allison Transmission's current documents and your written warranty before you make a purchase or maintenance decision.
Free tools for a Allison 4000 Series truck
Keep the Allison 4000 Series serviced on time, decode its fault codes and check a truck before you buy.
- Preventive Maintenance SchedulerTrack Allison 4000 Series oil changes by odometer for your duty cycle.
- Diesel Fault Code Lookup (SPN/FMI)Decode the SPN/FMI fault codes the Allison 4000 Series reports.
- Breakdown Cost EstimatorEstimate what a Allison 4000 Series breakdown costs in repairs and lost revenue.
- Used Truck Inspection ChecklistCheck the Allison 4000 Series and clutch before you buy a used truck.