We have been advised by our service department that our transmission needs to be flushed, our cooling system needs serviced and the fuel system needs serviced. What is the recommended mileage for these services on a 2008 Ford Escape XLT. We between 60,000 & 70,000 miles.

 

Here's what I have done on every vehicle (auto trans) that I have owned for 30 years....

At 20k miles, I change the filter (due to possible residual/initial wear particulates that may be floating inside) and either drain the torque converter (if so equipped with a plug) or disconnect the trans cooler line at the radiator, fill the pan with fresh fluid, my wife starts the engine and when 2-3 quarts drain into a bucket, she shuts it off, I refill the pan and repeat until the fluid is clear and in case of the f150, 14 quarts of fresh fluid is in.

I change only the fluid after that (unless I determine substances/contamination in the oil). The intervals vary depending on the type of trans, type of fluid and conditions, but in general, every 30k miles. Heat is a killer on automatic trans fluid and when we lived in the desert area, I changed the trans fluid at the end of summer every year.

In regards to filters, oem is fine, but I typically use Wix.

In regards to trans oil, both in sticks and autos I have always used Valvoline.

I have also never had a trans failure in any vehicle I own and typically keep my vehicles for 10+ years, with over 100k on the odometer.

BTW, Ford/GM etc service buttetins/directives specifically state do not use a flush machine to exchange the fluid!!!!!

Re fuel system- aside from replacing fuel filter every 30K miles......nothing

Cooling system- IIRR that has the lifetime (100K) coolant? I would make the dealership prove contamination such as PH paper test 9showing the ph which should be 7 is gone to 6 or 8 (acidic or caustic) and 2nd show that the ethylene gylcol content (using a coolant bulb testor0 is not capable of providing adequate cooling (BTW- you can buy one of these testors from any parts store for $10, & visit any pool supply store for a ph tester- coats about $10 too)