Transmission Fluid
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New User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
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Transmission Fluid
Hey guys,
My truck just hit 110k on the clock, and i've never had the transmission fluid changed. Is this something that I am past due on changing or early? I don't know when it is supposed to be changed. If so is it something that you can do yourself?
Thanks
My truck just hit 110k on the clock, and i've never had the transmission fluid changed. Is this something that I am past due on changing or early? I don't know when it is supposed to be changed. If so is it something that you can do yourself?
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Welcome to the forum! To better help you, can you provide some additional detail on your truck? What year? Is it an F-150? What engine? Your manual would be the best bet to check service intervals but we can assist her as well.
There are several schools of thought on changing the fluid, though it may be best to have a shop do it using an exchange machine to ensure all the fluid is removed - replaced. If you drain it from the pan, you will only get about a third of the fluid that is in the system. There are also some "do-it-yourself" flush methods that I'm sure will be mentioned shortly
There are several schools of thought on changing the fluid, though it may be best to have a shop do it using an exchange machine to ensure all the fluid is removed - replaced. If you drain it from the pan, you will only get about a third of the fluid that is in the system. There are also some "do-it-yourself" flush methods that I'm sure will be mentioned shortly
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Agree with above on the details of your truck, but.....
I have a 2011 F-150 EB. I believe Ford recommends at 60k and this is the number I have heard in the past. I just had mine flushed by my dealer at 66k. I am under the Ford ESP so I figured I should try to stay on their regular maintenance schedule.
I have a 2011 F-150 EB. I believe Ford recommends at 60k and this is the number I have heard in the past. I just had mine flushed by my dealer at 66k. I am under the Ford ESP so I figured I should try to stay on their regular maintenance schedule.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,009
Likes: 1,517
From: Maine, Virginia
Agree with above on the details of your truck, but.....
I have a 2011 F-150 EB. I believe Ford recommends at 60k and this is the number I have heard in the past. I just had mine flushed by my dealer at 66k. I am under the Ford ESP so I figured I should try to stay on their regular maintenance schedule.
I have a 2011 F-150 EB. I believe Ford recommends at 60k and this is the number I have heard in the past. I just had mine flushed by my dealer at 66k. I am under the Ford ESP so I figured I should try to stay on their regular maintenance schedule.
However, peace of mind is priceless and us older guys like myself are used to more frequent maintenance schedules.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Guess I didn't read far enough in the manual and fell for the Dealer's Service Department recommendation. 60k trans flush is for the 5-speed TorqShift tranny. 150k is recommended for all other automatics per the manual.
Live and learn on that one.
Live and learn on that one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
That's all well & good and following the intervals in the manual should be okay, but my gut says no way will I let the fluids in my truck go that long. Trans, transfer case, diffs, coolant, etc. will all get done WAY sooner than 150k. More like every 50-60k or so for me, which is about 4-5 years. Letting fluids go that long makes me very nervous. 150k is over 10 years for me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 29
From: Raleigh USA
IMO trans fluid should be changed every 30-60k miles. If your are towing or do a lot of city driving, 30k. Mostly highway, 60k. I was in transmission class and the instructor said the only reason Ford says 150k is to reduce total cost of ownership to be more competitive with other makes. In no way shape or form is LV trans fluid good for 150k miles. Do you think Ford will help you if the trans craps out at 120k due to fluid failure? Nope.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
IMO trans fluid should be changed every 30-60k miles. If your are towing or do a lot of city driving, 30k. Mostly highway, 60k. I was in transmission class and the instructor said the only reason Ford says 150k is to reduce total cost of ownership to be more competitive with other makes. In no way shape or form is LV trans fluid good for 150k miles. Do you think Ford will help you if the trans craps out at 120k due to fluid failure? Nope.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,009
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From: Maine, Virginia
That's all well & good and following the intervals in the manual should be okay, but my gut says no way will I let the fluids in my truck go that long. Trans, transfer case, diffs, coolant, etc. will all get done WAY sooner than 150k. More like every 50-60k or so for me, which is about 4-5 years. Letting fluids go that long makes me very nervous. 150k is over 10 years for me.
I called my dealer on this. He said to follow the owners guide. When I questioned them about the change in 2005, he admitted that the fluid was good for 60K miles but they can't misrepresent the Ford's recommendations for certain model years. I settled my 2004 Expy into a 45K mile interval and now have 105K on the clock. No issues.
The pre 2015 Tundra trucks have a 100K mile service interval, that's a reasonable point to start for me.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Yup, as others have mentioned the owners manual states 150k miles for regular service. I've read a lot about this on various forums, including here and BITOG and the best I can tell is the Mercon LV that is no in use really does hold up to these drain intervals. I don't know if I will go the entire 150k but I do plan on waiting until at least 100,000 miles before worrying about it.
That said, it did get a pan dump when I had the TSB 11-11-11 performed under warranty. A few months later a UOA from Blackstone labs indicated that my fluid was in exceptional condition with appropriate viscosity characteristics and very low wear particles.
That said, it did get a pan dump when I had the TSB 11-11-11 performed under warranty. A few months later a UOA from Blackstone labs indicated that my fluid was in exceptional condition with appropriate viscosity characteristics and very low wear particles.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe
Good thread.... I tend to do at 60-75k in past. Maybe this one I'll upper to 100k depending on how much I use my travel trailer in next few years. I wouldn't wait till 150, as the general rule of TLC does make difference. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,783
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From: WY
I bought a 2009 F-150 last fall with 85000 miles to pull my boat. This spring I took it to my Ford dealer to have them flush the radiator and tranny. They recommended not flushing the tranny since it stirs up debris and usually results in tranny issues. Instead they did a filter swap and added new fluid. I have asked a few auto repair shops and they too suggest a tranny service rather than a flush.
New User
Joined: Jun 2015
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Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
This is one case where I'd like a few minutes alone with whoever decided to not put a standard dip stick & tube on these. What an ******!! Serously, what a PITA!! Especially after having a factory drain plug in the pan on my last truck. 