Howdy All –

I know asking a question like this solicits a huge number of opinions, but if anyone has hard-core, data-driven, technical experience to share, that would be great.

The truck:
2019 F250
6.2L gas 4x4
6-speed auto transmission (I think this is the 6R140 transmission)
Current miles: 47,000
Everything is factory, no mods

This truck tows a 9000-pound trailer quite often, and many times in hilly/mountain terrain (I know a diesel engine would be better for this application, but let’s table that part of the discussion). I would say about half of its mileage would be towing, the other half unloaded.

The maintenance schedule only indicates to change the transmission fluid and filter at 150,000 miles. Given how hard the transmission works in my situation, I would think it should be done more often. When I asked the service manager at my Ford dealer, he said doing it earlier wouldn’t hurt, but he wouldn’t think it would be necessary until at least 75,000 miles. He further explained that the fluid is a full synthetic and that it lasts a very long time. Essentially, they would do it, but they didn’t think it was necessary. If this is in fact the 6R140 transmission, it's supposed to be a "beast."

I’m of the mindset that changing out the fluid more often couldn’t hurt and would extend the life of the transmission. This truck will likely be kept for a LONG time, so I am a stickler for maintenance.

To drain the fluid, drop the pan, replace the filter, replace the gasket, reinstall the pan, and add new fluid, the price was about $300 (this is not for a flush, just fluid and filter change, which I think is probably best).

So… should the transmission fluid and filter be changed more often, or should I not waste my money?

Thanks for reading…

 

Owner manual calls for 150,000 mile with filter change.

You'll get many replies of various #s.

 

150,000 is a long service interval and no way would I stick to that!

Usually they give another figure for heavy duty/towing or short trip use - does the manual have alternatives?

 

If you plan on keeping the truck for a while and it wont hurt change it if whenever you want. I planned on changing mine at 60k on my 22 but i now have a 24 ordered that will likely not happen. My last truck was an 03 , that I bought new, with the 7.3. i had it serviced at ford more then the owners manual suggested. I sold it with 261k miles and the transmission shifted as good then as when it was new. The service frequency may have not made a difference but I would like to think it did.

 

Your transmission may be a 6R100. I think factory service intervals are fine. Why would Ford risk brand reputation with risky service intervals?

 

The transmission in the 2019 F250 with gas motor is the 6R100. The 6R140 was used on the F250 diesel and all F350's.

You will get a lot of differing opinions and anecdotal information, but I doubt you will see any "hard-core, data-driven, technical experience". None of the responses will provide a conclusive answer.

It's your money. You are not wasting it on more frequent fluid changes if it fits your preference for maintenance and the cost is in your budget.

 

Its such a cheap service do whatever makes you feel comfortable. At my company we've followed the 150k service interval for all our 6spd trucks and have not had a failure yet. Id say Ford knows what their talking about.

 

you think they really care about all that. people need trucks and a sucker is born every day. customers will always be at the door. dont be so blind

 

Here is a little "hard-core, data-driven, technical experience" to share. I use my truck as daily driver plus pulling 7,000 pound travel trailer. It's been to Alaska, CA, ME, FL and other places. I did my first trans fluid change at 127,000 miles. To check on the condition of the fluid, I sent a sample in to Blackstone Labs. The only thing I would do different is to do a fluid change sooner to get rid of the break-in metals, then go back to the Ford recommended 150,000 change. I know people say that Ford only recommends this to sell more trucks, but think about it. If a class action lawyer got any inkling that this was going on, how long would it take him to jump on this?
Anyway, here is Blackstone's report.

 

 

Easy enough to do, I did mine at 50K. Fluid and filter- 6R100
Doesn't hurt and I feel better. I do plow and tow here and there and keep vehicles a long time and intend on keeping this truck until it's completely smoked.

 

How many miles do those trucks last?

 

How much of the total capacity is replaced by just doing a pan drop?

 

I have a 2019 F350 6.7. I did my gender neutral shift juice at 70,000. I did not do a complete flush, I may do another at 100,000 and go another 70 from there.
Its such cheap insurance to change fluid and a filter. I often to and plow. ( when we get snow that is )

 

Older transmissions needed more frequent changes due to inferior oil and lower Temps. Water is the enemy of the fluid. Newer transmission runs hotter frequently getting over 213 degrees thus boiling water out and extending fluids life.