I just rolled over 30k on my 05 F150 and the dealership wanted to do a flush with filter change on the transmission. It has a 5.4L with auto overdrive.

They said they could put in the original fluid for $159 or synthetic for $199. Is there that much of a benefit of going with the synthetic in the trans. If I was going to try to stretch it out for more than 30K I could see a benefit. I do occasional towing and am planning on buying a boat this summer.

 

How many miles were on the vehicle you traded in on this truck?

 

I did not trade in anything, my question was about a trans flush.

 

What color is your Ford truck? Is it a standard or extended cab?

 

Is there a tranny fluid change at 30k in the maintenance schedule? Seems a little short to me. I usually go at least 50k, or if the fluid doesn't smell/look right.

In any case, I think the regular fluid should be more than enough unless you tow a lot, which doesn't appear to be the case.

 

Ok... How long do you expect to keep this truck & how many miles do you expect to put on it in that time?

 

Did I miss something here???
6 post and one answer to his orignal question ??
What the heck does it matter what color the truck is ???
How many miles on the vehicle you traded on this truck ??

Aurgathor is spot on in his answer .

 

The local Aamoco shop did mine for about $70.
I don't see the need for synthetic fluid.
Just get it changed, and drive on.
It ain't that much money and it's a reasonable investment in preventive maintenance.
I go with 30,000 mile intervals.
(If you wait until it's a high mileage vehicle, I'd never change it then.)

 

I think the 2000+ trannies have "lifetime" fluid. Not sure what it says if you tow.

Most dealers will recommend 30K flushes.

My tranny shop recommends 12K changes, not flushes.

My 94 recommends 30-50K(I think) or 12K if you tow. I tow an 8,000# trailer maybe 20% of the miles and I change with syn about every30K depending on how lazy I am. When I drop the pan, it is pretty much spotless and the fluid looks almost new. So I would guess my change interval is OK. I have changed it twice not counting a rebuild at 50K due to my stupidity, during the almost 60K miles I have owned it. I figure to change it again next summer when I expect to hit 100K.

I use syn in almost everything, so if it was me I would use syn. This is more of a religious/psychological/marketing bait thing.

I think the modern spec Mercon is either syn or semi syn and supposed to be excellent in any case. So I would be comfortable with syn or regular fluid as long as it meets spec and is a reputable brand.

Odd that your dealer wants to do a flush AND filter change. Most shops recommend flushing since you don't have to change the filter. They give you a song and dance that the flush cleans the filter. They get to charge a bunch of money and not spend the shop hours that it would take to drop the pan and pull the filter. I think flushes cost more than dropping the pan, but I have never paid a dealer or shop to do this for me.

I am not sure if I like flushes since I would worry about sending the garbage back thru the tranny if you back flush the filter, and if you don't backflush the filter, what's the point?

I prefer to drop the pan and do the work myself. It is not that hard, and if you do it right, not that messy. While you have the pan off you might consider a drain plug so future changes are much cleaner and easier.

When you or a reputable shop drop the pan, you have an excellent opportunity to inspect the pan for particles and other problem indicators. Flushing just flushes the evidence away in my opinion.

And you never did tell us what color your truck is.

Jim Henderson

 

I think the condition of your fluid will answer the questions for you. Nobody will doubt that synth is better quality, but if you don't need it, it doesn't do anything for you but cost you more. I have a volvo that if I don't put synth in it it turns from red to brown in 30K...but my f150 never changes the color with 50K changes on conventional tranny fluid...so that is what I use. I do minimal towing, but load it up a fair amount.

 

Incidentally, 30,000 miles IS the Ford factory recommended change interval on my 2001. They state the same recommendation in the towing section. It does seem a bit much compared to other vehicles I've owned, but that's what the book says.

 

well,it won't hurt to change it too often.it will hurt to never change it.

 

To clarify:
2005 F150
4R70 transmission
I do 30,000 mile change, not a flush.
They drop the pan, change the fluid there, replace (or is it clean?) the filter, and put it all back together.
Quick, easy and pretty cheap.

 

i've heard some bad stories of people getting their trannies flushed and then later it goes out or starts messing up.filter/ fluid change is the best maitainence you can do.a good tranny cooler,even if you don't tow,and check fluid level regularly.i always smell mine(the fluid that is) and if it starts to turn a different shade of color or smell different it's time to get it out of there.

 

What spec Mercon does this call for? If it's Mercon V then it's already syn.