Going Synthetic ?
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Please let me know where you found the information regarding 100K synthetic transmission fluid. It seems like I am reading conflicting information about the service interval: from "never" to "30K" etc...
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
I would just drive the truck and enjoy it it...allowing the fluid to capture all of the fine contaminents that are inside of a new engine/trans. I would drop the engine oil between 500-1000 miles and drop the trans fluid and change filter at 5000 miles. Then proceed on regular intervals. My one pet peeve is that I drop (via a drain plug in the pan & converter) auto trans fluid every 15000 miles unless it calls for something else I use Valvoline dextron III (semi-synthetic)...though quakerstate, mobile and motorcraft are excellent as well...just a personal preference because its a good oil and I can get it on sale at about 90 cents a quart. I change the filter about every 50000-60000 miles unless the trans fluid shows dirt...otherwise the filter is doing its job and they are long-life filters.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, OR
If it's semisynthetic I wouldnt bother for at least several years. This will give the magnet at the bottom of the pan a chance to collect the heaviest break-in metal. I dont think you'll really be doing much good at this point and you just might set yourself up with a early pan leak at the gasket. Check with the dealer-the new trans gaskets are reusable now.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by sawcut150
Picking up my new 2006 F-150 today 5.4 with auto transmission, should I drain
and replace trans fluid with synthetic from the start.
and replace trans fluid with synthetic from the start.
If you have to do it, let the trans breakin for 10-15K as mentioned above then do it..
I don't understand what these guys are talking about, outside of filter changes at 50-60K, but all dealerships and most any decent auto shops all have those machines that flush and change the trans fluid at the same time.
I just had my wifes 97' Grand Marquis trans flushed at a friends auto shop. Trans takes 15qts and he runs 20qts through it. Charges 2 bucks qt and that again to do the job. Trans fluid is crystle clear red.. Car has 65k on it. At the same time he did the upper combustion/injector cleaning deal. Man, did that make a difference in engine power.. 150 bucks for both..
http://www.boss302.com/oil.htm
Anyway this is good read from a guy who seems to know what he's talking about and he's not selling anything.. Interesting that oil only needs 4-5% synthetic oil in it to be called a semi-synthetic...
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
actually mercon V is more like 4.00 a quart and there is no drain plug on the tranny. just the pan bolts.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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i had a nut and plug meged on all my cars/trucks. its real simple the local welding shop charges $10. i havent done it to the 04 or 05 yet. but thinking about it.now i know thats alot of work to do for no more than you change the fluid. but i thought you had to use the tranny fluid that the manafactor says cause of function not durabilty.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by Dunk
A drain plug on the trans pan will only get you about a 1/3 oil change.
With draining 95% of the trans fluid every 15,000 miles, while it is a little "early" by most peoples standards, the fluid remains very clean, without odor and....I have never had an automatic transmission failure (including wifes 87 Celica GT). We typically keep our vehicles for 10+ years and sell them with 85k-130k miles.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by exiled
i had a nut and plug meged on all my cars/trucks. its real simple the local welding shop charges $10. i havent done it to the 04 or 05 yet. but thinking about it.now i know thats alot of work to do for no more than you change the fluid. but i thought you had to use the tranny fluid that the manafactor says cause of function not durabilty.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
No offense, but 150K mi is nothing on todays trannys, especially with normal use.
Unless you're hauling extremely heavy trailers 99% of the time, there really isn't any reason to flush the oem fill at a interval less than 50K mi.
Unless you're hauling extremely heavy trailers 99% of the time, there really isn't any reason to flush the oem fill at a interval less than 50K mi.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: near pittsburgh pa
Do what you feel best with! Always use the correct fluid per Ford, not the jiffylub guy, Never assume your truck uses this fluid or that one, changes are made at one point and you need to know what is correct. Myself, I go the 5000 change an then 20-25,000 change. Might not need it, but it makes me happy and if something is going wrong, I have a better chance of seeing it.
Again, check with Ford for proper fluid!!!!
Again, check with Ford for proper fluid!!!!