Transmission fluid replace? How often

[Gary710]

my 2001 explorer sport Trac, just turned over 160,000 miles. The transmission fluid was serviced at 140,000 miles 11 years ago. I am considering pumping out some of the transmission fluid through the dipstick and replacing it. Is this a good idea? Do I need to do this? The car is in a southern state. I’m concerned that the transmission fluid has gotten old and needs to be replaced. if I do it this way by pumping it out through the dipstick, how much should I replace?

 

[94Eddie]

I replace transmission fluid and the filter every 60k miles. The manufacturers that say any fluid is for the life of the vehicle is committing criminal negligence. Transmission filters can last up to 120k miles so I see no need to replace it with just 20k miles on it. The 5R55 transmissions do not have a dip stick. There is a combination fill and drain plug on the the transmission pan that lets you drain and refill the fluid. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing how this is done. It isn't difficult to do.

IMO, if you haven't done so, you should also drain and refill the transfer case if your vehicle has FWD and drain and refill the differential(s). It is an easy procedure and only takes about a quart of fluid to complete. Once again, there are plenty of YouTube videos showing how this is done. Also, replacing the coolant, power steering fluid and flushing the brake fluid is a good idea if it hasn't been done in the last 80k-100k miles.

 

[Gary710]

. Thank you for your reply. I had someone else mention on this forum they thought I had a second generation 2002 explorer sport. My transmission does have a dipstick. I am the original owner, I was concerned that the oil might break down because of the age, but it sounds like if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I’m really glad it does have a transmission dipstick, that would drive me crazy not knowing. Certified transmission did what they call a royal flush at 140 K.

 

[94Eddie]

Sorry, I assumed it was the 5R55. If you have a dip stick then I would do what you suggested. I still recommend the other maintenance items though.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Better quality synthetic fluids last longer than regular cheaper fluids. Motorcraft has microfiber filters which is a real filter unlike over the counter plain screens which are found in auto parts stores.

 

[oklagp1200r]

I use Wix filters in the transmission

 

[Gary710]

Sorry, I assumed it was the 5R55. If you have a dip stick then I would do what you suggested. I still recommend the other maintenance items though.

I remember that it wasn’t a good idea to replace all the transmission fluid on some of the older cars that I had that were automatic transmissions. So I might pump out a couple of quarts and replace it just to freshen things up. Thank you.

 

[94Eddie]

I remember that it wasn’t a good idea to replace all the transmission fluid on some of the older cars that I had that were automatic transmissions. So I might pump out a couple of quarts and replace it just to freshen things up. Thank you.

This really doesn't apply if you had it serviced 20k miles ago. A "service" typically means the fluid was drained, the pan dropped, the filter was replaced and then refilled. This would have removed at least half the transmission fluid and likely a good bit more. If a fluid swap was going to take out the transmission it would have happened by now.

 

[410Fortune]

60-90k miles drop the pan change fluid and filter
01-05 sport trac uses Mercon v
I also add a bottle of lubeguard red
Good idea to install a drain plug into the factory pan or install a dorman pan, they come with a drain plug
Built in

Also a good idea to add a megnetic inline trans filter on the cooler line and a second aux cooler

Cheap insurance

 

[Fix4Dirt]

60-90k miles drop the pan change fluid and filter
01-05 sport trac uses Mercon v
I also add a bottle of lubeguard red
Good idea to install a drain plug into the factory pan or install a dorman pan, they come with a drain plug
Built in

Also a good idea to add a megnetic inline trans filter on the cooler line and a second aux cooler

Cheap insurance

^^word. chg fluid every 30k or so and filter every 90k imo. drain plug makes it so much easier in between and the aux cooler keeps temps down and fluid degrades slower (esp if towing/offroading)

shoutout lubegard a friend of mine has a 1-2 flare on his mazda 3 hatch changed the fluid a few times and added lubegard flare almost nonexistent now. though, his fluid looked like black soup before, so any new fluid would be better than that think there is a burnt clutch in there but lubegard masks it in the meanwhile

 

[94Eddie]

60-90k miles drop the pan change fluid and filter
01-05 sport trac uses Mercon v
I also add a bottle of lubeguard red
Good idea to install a drain plug into the factory pan or install a dorman pan, they come with a drain plug
Built in

Also a good idea to add a megnetic inline trans filter on the cooler line and a second aux cooler

Cheap insurance

Good advice. However, my experience with the Dorman transmission pan I bought for my 6R80 was not a good one. It did not provide enough depth to accommodate the filter pickup. I ended up getting a plug welded into the OEM pan. Luckily, the Dorman pan was only $26 so I wasn't out much money. This might not be the case with the OP's pan but Dorman is hit and miss (more misses than hits, IMO) with the quality and fitment of their parts. I recommend buying from a supplier that allows easy returns.

 

[C420sailor]

I’m with @Fix4Dirt. For me, engine and transmission failures are the two most expensive and labor-intensive failures you can have, so I tend to err on the side of over maintaining them.

I aim for 30k change intervals on my transmission. That way, if I delay it a bit due to life happening, no big deal. If you’re doing partial changes (only sucking a few quarts out at each interval) you’re going to want to do it more often.

I usually drop the pan and change the filter/clean the magnet every third change or so, so about every 90k. The pan filters are filters, but they’re coarse media. Somewhere around 120 microns, where an oil filter is in the low double digits.

I run a spin-on oil filter in my transmission cooling loop, but that’s not required. I will say, however, that my fluid is CLEAN as a result.

Clean, cool fluid is happy fluid.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I’m with @Fix4Dirt. For me, engine and transmission failures are the two most expensive and labor-intensive failures you can have, so I tend to err on the side of over maintaining them.

I aim for 30k change intervals on my transmission. That way, if I delay it a bit due to life happening, no big deal. If you’re doing partial changes (only sucking a few quarts out at each interval) you’re going to want to do it more often.

I usually drop the pan and change the filter/clean the magnet every third change or so, so about every 90k. The pan filters are filters, but they’re coarse media. Somewhere around 120 microns, where an oil filter is in the low double digits.

I run a spin-on oil filter in my transmission cooling loop, but that’s not required. I will say, however, that my fluid is CLEAN as a result.

Clean, cool fluid is happy fluid.

usually do whatever is in the pan (so 4q?) every 30k that seems to work a charm

although since it now sees much more frequent offroading and city driving (chg in commute and usage) it gets changed more like 15k or thereabouts now

 

[Fredness]

My obligatory 4r44/4r55/5r44/5r55 post:
Pan drop w/filter change every 50k, retorque VB, check band adjusters (not to adjust, but the nuts can back off), EPC as needed or 100k, if you have a 2WD, order a 4WD pan (with drain plug), and filter for your next service.

 

[Gary710]

Thanks everybody for the great replies

 

[lincolnlocker]

60-90k miles drop the pan change fluid and filter
01-05 sport trac uses Mercon v
I also add a bottle of lubeguard red
Good idea to install a drain plug into the factory pan or install a dorman pan, they come with a drain plug
Built in

Also a good idea to add a megnetic inline trans filter on the cooler line and a second aux cooler
My obligatory 4r44/4r55/5r44/5r55 post:
Pan drop w/filter change every 50k, retorque VB, check band adjusters (not to adjust, but the nuts can back off), EPC as needed or 100k, if you have a 2WD, order a 4WD pan (with drain plug), and filter for your next service.
Commercial Fence Installations
Cheap insurance

I recommend every 30-40k from new, that will keep the fluid pretty clean and keep the transmission in good shape. Never do a trans flush, they are known to ruin longevity.