This is what my dealer does for a 30,000 mile service on my 01 V-10. Anything else I should have done at this point? Also, even though I have only 25,000 miles on it, it is almost 3 years old at this point and I thought I would just have the service done at this oil change. Is this overkill and should I just wait until I am closer to 30,000, say at 28,000, the next oil change?

Thanks.

ps. don't even ask what they charge!


• Flush automatic transmission fluid
•
• Change engine oil and replace oil filter
•
• Coolant service – flush system
•
• Power Steering Flush
•
• Replace engine air filter
•
• Replace fuel filter
•
• Clean Fuel Injection system
•
• Inspect and lubricate steering linkage, ball joints, suspension and, if equipped, half shafts drive shaft and u-joints
•
• Inspect brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums, brake lines and hoses, and parking brake system
•
• Inspect complete exhaust system and heat shields
•
• Inspect wheel ends for end play and noise
•
• Perform multi-point inspection
•
• Rotate tires for optimal

.

 

Anyone have any input? Maybe I should move this to the V-10 forum?

 

In my opinion, I think I would wait a little longer. Unless you drive you truck really hard then do the service now or at the next oil change. Hope this will help you.

 

I am not a fan of trans or p/s "flushes". Change the trans fluid yes, flush it....well I'm not convinced.

As a matter of fact, I have never heard of flushing the p/s fluid. Is that correct?

 

i had my truck in a little while ago for some warrenty work(right around 30,000 miles) and the service writer asked if i had the 30,000 mile service done, and i told him i do the maintenance on my truck myself. he than said something about the fuel injection system needing to be serviced. i then asked him if it was part of the normal maintenance that ford reccomends, he said "yes" i then asked why it was not in the "scheduled maintenance guide" i got with my truck, he then hemmed an hawed about it should be do and it is a good idea, i then asked him if i could have a little music with the tap dance he was doing eveything else sounds right, i am not to sold on the fuel injection service thing.

 

Oh wow, I didn't see that!!!

I agree with wlihntr.

I used to be in the service business. All of these flush things are a way for the dealer to make tremendous profit with little added value.

As a matter of fact, at one dealership I worked at, some of the tech's threw the chemical in their trunks and sold the customer a bill of goods.

 

What exactly is the difference between flushing and changing the transmission fluid? Are you saying flushing is harmful or just unnecessary? To the untrained consumer, like me, flushing sounds like it would get more of the old stuff out????

They definitely have power steering flush on the list. I asked and they said flush, not just change. I don't know anything about all this, so if anyone else has ideas, please post.

The injector service is not on Ford's list, but the dealer says it should be done. I'll ask exactly how and what is done.

I know I tend to be a little trusting and naive at times, but I can't believe a dealer would purposely charge you for something they did not do. Esp. in a smallish town where it would kill them if it got into the media. And the media here, at least, would love a story like that!

 

They do it all the time, that's why some people call it the "stealership". Just remember, you have to sign the order for them to start working on your truck. If it's not broken, don't let them fix it. Lastly, always, ALWAYS ask questions. They'll be irritated, but in the end you'll probably save yourself some money you didn't need to spend to begin with.

 

I got 117,600 miles on my original PS fluid... I'm in BIG trouble...

 

What are you implying? Simply changing the transmission fluid in an automatic leaves about 1/3 of the old fluid in there.

 

I was a service writer for 10 years. I worked for both domestic and foreign dealerships. I got out of the business because I couldn’t handle the BS.

Transmission change vs flush.

Fluid change on most domestics usually involves removing the transmission fluid pan (reservoir) and replacing the filter contained within, then refilling with fresh fluid. Many foreign makes, don’t even have a replaceable filter, they just drain and fill the fluid.

Flushing involves hooking the transmission to a machine that pumps fluid through the trans, filtering it in the process and is most often done at the same time as the fluid change. Yes you do get more fluid replaced as most torque converters are no longer drainable, as was the case in “olden times”, though some are.

As far as transmission flushing goes, it is my opinion based on those 10 years, if you change the fluid as recommended by the OEM, flushing is not needed and will give only marginal benefit. From what I have seen, most change intervals are on the conservative side anyway. I can see were it could be a good thing to do if you have not kept up on maintenance and the fluid is somewhat burnt, but this would be on an as needed basis, not as part of a normal routine.

I have NEVER heard of flushing the power steering system, so I can not comment on it. From my experience, p/s systems need no maintenance other than checking the fluid.

Injector service/flush is another thing that should be used as a fix for a problem, not as a maintenance item. I have seen some rough running vehicles smooth out with an injector flush, but have a hard time recommending were it’s not warranted. There are so many chemicals in fuel these days the systems stay pretty clean.

I liken transmission flushing to doing a routine enema just to “clean things out”. Some people do it and think it helps. Maybe it does, but personally I stay away from such procedures unless conditions require it.

Lastly, dealers and technicians make tremendous profit from these flush packages. There is one company that sends around reps to collect little chips that are in the bottom of their cans of product. They give each tech $5 cash for each chip. That’s quite an incentive to sell these services.

I would also look for additive packages in these services. Some places add $30-$40 or more to the price of the service for oil, transmission and fuel additive. Quite expensive it gets for what according to the OEM recommendations shouldn’t be that expensive.

I know someone will flame me for having this opinion but that’s okay. I left the service business because I couldn't sleep at night for what I was required to do to keep my job.

 

I'm certainly not going to flame you because you have more experience in the field than I do.

No doubt, but there is always tremendous profit when there is a machine involved that the average do-it-yourselfer doesn't own.

This is where I disagree with you (not about the enema thing!). Getting that extra 1/3 of the fluid out will get all of the contaminants out of the system will help prolong the life of the transmission in my opinion. I certainly wouldn't consider draining only 2/3 of the oil out of my truck at oil changes. Considering that the transmission fluid is changed far less often than the oil I would personally feel better knowing that it was all changed, not just the majority of it.

I've never heard of this either. Either you check the fluid or you change it. I don't know that there's any special machine involved for this, but I could be wrong.

 

I pour a bottle of Techron by Chevron into my "X" V10 gas tank every month or two. I was sold on it the first time I used it in my 95 Mustang GT for dirty injectors, got the power and go right back. I feel like it's preventive maint.

 

Cmprspecial: I thought that was a very imformitive post about "change vs flush"! No doubt, there is a view both ways on this subject, myself, I have always just changed the trans fluid, never had a problem! It really comes down to what the owner is most comfortable with.
As far as injector cleaner, if it runs okay, I wouldn't waste my money on this procedure!! Just run some good cleaner with your gas once a month or so and should have no problems!

Just my .02
Cruzer

 

I haven't had my Ford long enough to know, the 30K PM 'check' list, are the items listed in original post standard to all Ford dealerships or does it vary from one to another?

If it varies, I'd suggest trying another dealership.
Your signature allows them to perform those specified services and look for/create trouble anywhere they like. It guarantees them X dollars from you and allows them to 'fish' for more.

I just don't like the sound of several items on the list.
Flush the tranny????? Any sediment is already settled into crevices/low places and won't be flushed out any better than drain and refill.
Unless they start talking some type 'power' flush, then that's more guarantee of trouble by forcing the fluids/seals.

Same for power steering system. If the designers really felt that was needed, wouldn't they have designed in a drain plug?

Sure, it's a really good thing to drain and fill these two units, but where have all the articles been about this new type of required service in the trade mags.

Don't ever flush your cooling system (this is just my opinion), I've seen so many radiators go bad just shortly after being flushed it's not funny. Drain and refill yes.

Injectors, I put them in the 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it." catagory.
Run a can of quality cleaner at least once every 10K, replace fuel filter as needed. Injectors can be finicky as it is, just don't mess with them till you really need to.

Inspect this, inspect that, = They casually look, (maybe) if they see anything not perfect, they look closer and closer till . . . . . . .

No, I'm not down on dealerships, didn't mean to make it sound that way. But, the 30K shopping list just strikes me so very 'fishing expedition', and we'll find trouble somewhere.
Plus- some service equipment mfg somewhere has designed a new power toy for the shop, shop buys it and now has to sell the service to pay for the new 'flush system'. New income, Oh Boy!

Oh, I forgot to say, I'd wait till 30,001 miles to take it in, then I'd pick and choose which services they had permission to do, and make it very clear what was and wasn't to be done.

I ran retail service centers for a national chain, it really ticks me off when shopping lists like yours are presented to customers. Things break/wear out enough as it is, no need to CREATE business.