Trans fluid replace interval?

[CajunHO]

When does ford recommend replacing/flushing trans fluid?
I have a 2014 with the tow package transmission, with 85000+ miles on it. Wife drives it mostly. Three dealers in my area can't give me a straight answer. I brought it in a week and a half a go to have it serviced because it was shifting clunky, just a few days before warranty was to run out, now it's out. Seems like I've been getting the run around.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

I'd check your manual but I think 150k. The v6 transmission is durable but clunks. There is a tsb out about it, valve body I think.

 

[94Eddie]

I recommend replacing transmission fluid every 40k-50k miles along with PTU fluid. Ford's recommended fluid change intervals are ridiculous to the point of being liable. The only reason to follow their recommendations is to pay Ford for expensive repairs after the warranty expires.

 

[FordSVTGuy]

The manual says 150,000 miles. Some have suggested Doing a drain and refill every 30,000 miles to keep the fluid fresh. I plan on following the latter because I like to use the ST full syn Mercon LV to replace the older fluid and more importantly I like working on my car

 

[peterk9]

When does ford recommend replacing/flushing trans fluid?
I have a 2014 with the tow package transmission, with 85000+ miles on it. Wife drives it mostly. Three dealers in my area can't give me a straight answer. I brought it in a week and a half a go to have it serviced because it was shifting clunky, just a few days before warranty was to run out, now it's out. Seems like I've been getting the run around.

All your maintenance intervals and capacities are shown in your Owner's Manual. Check it out.

Peter

 

[whimsey]

We have a bought new 2017 with the 2.3 EB. The tranny is a lighter duty version of yours, it's the 6F35. While it says it's "good" for 150,000 miles according to Ford I changed the factory fill at 12,000 miles and it was black with silver bands. I changed it again at 22,000 miles and it was dark gray with some silver in it. Changed again at 32,000 miles more reddish this time and again at 49,000 miles, better looking this time. We keep our vehicles 200,000 miles+++. Changing the ATF fluid in this tranny is super easy and cheap. My cold drain and fills take 4 quarts which costs me $20. I'm now going for 20,000-30,000 mile ATF changes since I feel I got the initial wear particles out of the tranny. Hopefully it's good for a long life with the short initial fluid changes.

 

[bigdude2468]

When does ford recommend replacing/flushing trans fluid?
I have a 2014 with the tow package transmission, with 85000+ miles on it. Wife drives it mostly. Three dealers in my area can't give me a straight answer. I brought it in a week and a half a go to have it serviced because it was shifting clunky, just a few days before warranty was to run out, now it's out. Seems like I've been getting the run around.

I don't do a full flush but every 30,000 miles I do a drain and fill which is about 4.5 quarts. Unit has a convienent drain plug so it very easy.

 

[Explorer75]

When does ford recommend replacing/flushing trans fluid?
I have a 2014 with the tow package transmission, with 85000+ miles on it. Wife drives it mostly. Three dealers in my area can't give me a straight answer. I brought it in a week and a half a go to have it serviced because it was shifting clunky, just a few days before warranty was to run out, now it's out. Seems like I've been getting the run around.

When I bought my 2013 XLT it had 50k miles. The fluid was dark brown, I freaked. Then I watched this
I was relieved. So I had 2 choices, do a complete flush, which will take to pay someone to do it. Or do several drains and refills myself, which I did. It took 6 drains and refills in total. Each was 4.5 quarts, you do the math. There are pro´s and con´s of both methods. A flush is more expensive basically because of the labor and you can´t be 100% sure it was done correctly. Option 2 will take a lot of fluid, like 27 quarts. The good part is that you don´t have to do it all at the same time. I did 6 drains and refills which yields about 96% of new fluid. 3 will give you 80% and 4 88%. By the time you do 4, the fluid will be very nice cherry red. I watched the video couple of times. Important: Only use Motorcraft MERCON LV fluid, do this in a level ground, tires all inflated to 35 psi, transmission warm, not very hot. Let it drain at least 30 minutes. I measured 4.5 quarts the first drain, so I put that same amount back. There´s a factory manual procedure to check the level and it says to fill with 4.5 qts and check the level. I have checked the level per the factory procedure and is dead on. Use a torque wrench to put the drain plug back, it´s 80 lbs-in (beware its lbs-in, not lbs-ft) very light force, it´s just snug.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

I'm not sure the color means alot. I think it changes color quickly. The v6 transmissions have no major issues, they aren't like the old 4r55 or 5r55.
These 6 sp are co designed with Gm, who historically produces a superior transmission to yesteryears Ford transmissions.

 

[Explorer75]

I'm not sure the color means alot. I think it changes color quickly. The v6 transmissions have no major issues, they aren't like the old 4r55 or 5r55.
These 6 sp are co designed with Gm, who historically produces a superior transmission to yesteryears Ford transmissions.

Nice to know, thanks.
Still I´m no too comfortable with a dark transmission fluid, I would still change it way before the 150k mark. The problem with maintenance is that you either waste fluid by changing it too soon or have to replace/repair the transmission by waiting too much and is a lot more expensive.

 

[94Eddie]

Nice to know, thanks.
Still I´m no too comfortable with a dark transmission fluid, I would still change it way before the 150k mark. The problem with maintenance is that you either waste fluid by changing it too soon or have to replace/repair the transmission by waiting too much and is a lot more expensive.

The cost of a transmission replacement is around ($3,500). At seven quarts per refill and one filter ($62), this equates to 56 refills ($3,500/62) assuming the owner does the work. This would cover 2.24 million miles of driving if done at 40k mile change intervals! I am not saying a transmission will last 2.24 million miles but all I need is for the transmission to last until I sell the vehicle. If it does then I am probably saving a lot of expense by not ignoring regular fluid changes.

 

[Explorer75]

The cost of a transmission replacement is around ($3,500). At seven quarts per refill and one filter ($62), this equates to 56 refills ($3,500/62) assuming the owner does the work. This would cover 2.24 million miles of driving if done at 40k mile change intervals!

Wait, what???

It takes 4.5 per drain and refill. To access the filter you have to take the transmission apart, as the video suggests. So no filter replacement.

It cost me about $25 each drain and refill. Did 6, I spent about $150. I did a 96% fluid replacement at 50k, I bought the truck used with that mileage and like to do things myself and maintain my vehicles well. So did the math and sounded good, all went well. I plan from now on to do a drain and refill every 30K, just 1 drain and refill. At that time I would evaluate the condition of the fluid. In time it would take about 6 years for me for that to happen, I think is a very safe and cost/effective maintenance.

 

[94Eddie]

Wait, what???

It takes 4.5 per drain and refill. To access the filter you have to take the transmission apart, as the video suggests. So no filter replacement.

It cost me about $25 each drain and refill. Did 6, I spent about $150. I did a 96% fluid replacement at 50k, I bought the truck used with that mileage and like to do things myself and maintain my vehicles well. So did the math and sounded good, all went well. I plan from now on to do a drain and refill every 30K, just 1 drain and refill. At that time I would evaluate the condition of the fluid. In time it would take about 6 years for me for that to happen, I think is a very safe and cost/effective maintenance.

I gave numbers for the 6R80 transmission. Increase the refills by a factor of 1.56 and you have numbers for 5th gen transmissions. I have never had to replace a transmission for a vehicle I bought with less than 60k miles. Many of them I have driven to almost 200k miles.

 

[CajunHO]

Thanks to all. As for reading the owners manual, I went to private school, can't read. LOL
But really, I couldn't find it in there. And 3 dealers never gave me a solid answer. But anyway, I just had it done at a dealer and it cost over $300. They said they "serviced it". Flushed it. Said the fluid was very dark. This is the first time at 86k miles and if we keep it, or it last, I'll do the 4.5 quart drain at 115k miles. They also did recall and SB work since warranty ran out while in their shop.
Wife wants a smaller SUV but that usually means Front WD and I can't stand FWD. I hope the water pump issue never shows up. I'd get her the new 2020 Exploder but she drove one said it wasn't what she wants.

 

[peterk9]

Thanks to all. As for reading the owners manual, I went to private school, can't read. LOL
But really, I couldn't find it in there. ...............................

Page 575 of the 3rd printing in the Scheduled Maintenance section.

Every 150000 miles
(240000 km)
Change automatic transmission fluid
Replace accessory drive belt(s) if not replaced
within the last 100000 miles (160000 km).

Peter

 

[CajunHO]

For me, that should be the third time.

 

[Explorer75]

Thanks to all. As for reading the owners manual, I went to private school, can't read. LOL
But really, I couldn't find it in there. And 3 dealers never gave me a solid answer. But anyway, I just had it done at a dealer and it cost over $300. They said they "serviced it". Flushed it. Said the fluid was very dark. This is the first time at 86k miles and if we keep it, or it last, I'll do the 4.5 quart drain at 115k miles. They also did recall and SB work since warranty ran out while in their shop.
Wife wants a smaller SUV but that usually means Front WD and I can't stand FWD. I hope the water pump issue never shows up. I'd get her the new 2020 Exploder but she drove one said it wasn't what she wants.

That´s good. 300+ for a flush isn´t too bad at all. As for the water pump replace engine oil and filter as specified. Also remember the coolant, the factory fill is good for 100K miles or 6 years, if you haven´t replaced the coolant I suggest you do that. I replaced the thermostat as well. Then the coolant needs to be replaced at 50k or 3 years afterwards.

 

[collinstm57]

If you live in a HOT climate, do not trust the recommendation in the manual. Here in AZ I recommend no more than 30K (25k is better) if you do the drain and replace procedure. I'd say 50k if you have it flushed/replaced. Very cheap insurance compared to the cost of replacement.

They have ruined their reputation with those recommendations. If you pay attention to the number of Transmission problems their vehicles have. That goes to my 04 Explorer and the 2 2010 Fusions that I know of.

Our Fusion was starting to get several different symptoms until I serviced it. With the 1st service the tranny stopped the hard clunk when put into reverse. Still had hard forward shifts. Serviced it again but used Seafoam Transmission Tune-up for several mile then drain and refill with 1/2 can of Seafoam. It has stopped all of concerning problems and is now running great.

This thin oil does not mix with extreme heat. I think it breaks down in heat. I got my recommendation from our 2008 Honda Civic. They said every 30k to service it.

A $100 tranny service could prevent a lot of the problems IMHO...

 

[dejen3303]

50k. If you tow a lot, 30k