5W-30 Vs. 5W-20

[MakinJeepsWeep!]

I am not sure how Honda, Toyota etc. is relevant to discussing Fords. A pan drop, filter change and refill should be done a minimum of every 60k miles. Preferably every 40k-50k miles. I do a pan drop, filter change and refill every 40k miles. The PTUs in the AWD models should be every 30k miles. Check out this video, this video and this video. FordTechMakuloco is one of the most knowledgeable Ford technicians on the internet and he does not agree with many of Ford's recommended service intervals.

Following the 40k service interval has kept me from replacing a transmission on every car my family has owned that was acquired new or with less than 50k miles over the past 30 years. Several of these vehicles had over, or near 200k miles on them when they were sold. The only vehicle that I did have to replace a transmission was a 2003 Mountaineer that I bought with 110k miles on it. IMO, Ford recommending 150k service intervals on transmissions is criminal negligence on their part.

I have to agree, simple fluid changes are way easier that rebuilding a trans or engine. My oil Changes are done at 3k or 4k if im just to busy and cant get to it, Trans are done at 65k and my AWD T case i do every 3rd oil change or roughly 10k it takes so much heat and barley holds a quart of fluid. My lowest mile Ford has 206K on it and my highest has almost 300k on it. They all run right and shift firm and quick like they should. Plus i know everything is full and i can run a 600 mile trip without worry in a hurry if i had to for some odd reason. I change the rear axle every year. I also run 5-w30 Motorcraft in all of them 3.0-4.0-5.0

 

[94Eddie]

I just avoid buying garbage engineering. That’s the cheapest bet.

Avoiding garbage drive train components isn't easy. Especially when the components are new designs and not yet vetted over time. Frequent fluid changes prevent a lot of component failures. Even with known poorly designed units. Explorers/Mountaineers have had their fair share of problematic drive train components that can benefit from more robust maintenance procedures. Definitely more than Ford typically recommends. Many newer Ford transmissions have non serviceable filters and to change one requires the transmission to be cracked open. These type of transmissions need frequent fluid changes to keep the filter from causing issues as the miles rack up. The PTUs in Ford AWD vehicles use a small amount of fluid and are located in a space where they bake from excessive heat. They need fluid changes every 30k miles due to this. Frequent fluid maintenance is always a good hedge against component failures. In some cases it is vital to keep them running for many miles.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Avoiding garbage drive train components isn't easy. Especially when the components are new designs and not yet vetted over time. Frequent fluid changes prevent a lot of component failures. Even with known poorly designed units. Explorers/Mountaineers have had their fair share of problematic drive train components that can benefit from more robust maintenance procedures. Definitely more than Ford typically recommends.

That’s exactly why I won’t buy any new iterations of anything ESPECIALLY Ford.

 

[94Eddie]

That’s exactly why I won’t buy any new iterations of anything ESPECIALLY Ford.

Drive train issues is why I passed on buying a 5th gen Explorer and opted for a 4th gen V8. I see a lot of complaints already with the 10 speed transmissions in the 6th gens. It might be another problem child as we see more miles rack up on them. I would definitely be servicing them often because they have to have some complicated internals.

 

[joney]

I have to agree, simple fluid changes are way easier that rebuilding a trans or engine. My oil Changes are done at 3k or 4k if im just to busy and cant get to it, Trans are done at 65k and my AWD T case i do every 3rd oil change or roughly 10k it takes so much heat and barley holds a quart of fluid. My lowest mile Ford has 206K on it and my highest has almost 300k on it. They all run right and shift firm and quick like they should. Plus i know everything is full and i can run a 600 mile trip without worry in a hurry if i had to for some odd reason. I change the rear axle every year. I also run 5-w30 Motorcraft in all of them 3.0-4.0-5.0

Avoiding garbage drive train components isn't easy. Especially when the components are new designs and not yet vetted over time. Frequent fluid changes prevent a lot of component failures. Even with known poorly designed units. Explorers/Mountaineers have had their fair share of problematic drive train components that can benefit from more robust maintenance procedures. Definitely more than Ford typically recommends. Many newer Ford transmissions have non serviceable filters and to change one requires the transmission to be cracked open. These type of transmissions need frequent fluid changes to keep the filter from causing issues as the miles rack up. The PTUs in Ford AWD vehicles use a small amount of fluid and are located in a space where they bake from excessive heat. They need fluid changes every 30k miles due to this. Frequent fluid maintenance is always a good hedge against component failures. In some cases it is vital to keep them running for many miles.

Have to seriously wonder, 'lifetime' trans fluid (good for 150,000 mi) and non-serviceable transmission filters? Something to be avoided IMO

 

[Mbrooks420]

Drive train issues is why I passed on buying a 5th gen Explorer and opted for a 4th gen V8. I see a lot of complaints already with the 10 speed transmissions in the 6th gens. It might be another problem child as we see more miles rack up on them. I would definitely be servicing them often because they have to have some complicated internals.

I consider these (and Ford does as well, I think) as one owner vehicles. They have no resale value to me as they’ve made them so stupidly complex and added so many worthless bells and whistles they are just going to fall apart. The only thing Ford cares about is getting you out of that warranty period. If it wasn’t the case they’d fix some of their glaring design flaws, and not just roll with them over a decade.

 

[94Eddie]

Have to seriously wonder, 'lifetime' trans fluid (good for 150,000 mi) and non-serviceable transmission filters? Something to be avoided IMO

IMO, this is planned obsolescence at work on the part of vehicle manufacturers. Add in the issues with using small, under designed, turbocharged engines and things get even worse. It won't take long before a major repair on them will far exceed the value of the vehicle. This keeps people coming back to buy new ones. All the manufacturers have to do is keep them going until an extended warranty expires. After that early "repair totals" are good for their bottom line.