Transmission service

[shmelvin]

I just bought a 2015 2.0, all the maintenance has been done on time since day 1, but I did not see any Transmission service. So, I called the dealer who told me they do not change fluid until 150K miles with a complete service @ $500. The car has 136k miles, should I change fluid now as it is relatively simple or just wait and fork out $500 later?

[bbf2530]

3 hours ago, shmelvin said:

I just bought a 2015 2.0, all the maintenance has been done on time since day 1, but I did not see any Transmission service. So, I called the dealer who told me they do not change fluid until 150K miles with a complete service @ $500. The car has 136k miles, should I change fluid now as it is relatively simple or just wait and fork out $500 later?

 

Hi shmelvin. While the Ford recommended maintenance schedule states change the fluid at 150,000 miles, most owners, including myself, would recommend changing no later than 100,000. And probably sooner, at 50,000-75,000. Some owners even recommend every 30,000 miles.

 

My opinion would be to have it professionally flushed/filled now. And I would recommend that over the drain/fill/drain/fill/drain/fill method.

 

Also, a flush/fill is a job that any competent independent shop can perform. If you have a shop you trust, you can probably save some money over the Dealer rates. Just be sure to take out your Owners Manual, look up the proper transmission fluid specification, and then make sure the shop uses that fluid and notes it on you work Invoice.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

[WKelley]

I'm personally no fan of flushing transmissions, especially higher mileage units that have had no previous maintenance.  I'd drop the pan and change the filter and whatever fluid came out.

[akirby]

11 hours ago, WKelley said:

I'm personally no fan of flushing transmissions, especially higher mileage units that have had no previous maintenance.  I'd drop the pan and change the filter and whatever fluid came out.

The dealer machine doesn’t flush anything, it just uses the cooler lines to replace the old coolant with new coolant using the normal trans pump.  It changes 98% including the torque converter.

[WKelley]

On a regularly services transmission I am all for it.  When you have 136K miles without a service, in my personal opinion, you run the risk of pushing chunks around.  I do not know how a dealership service works, but if the pan is not dropped and filter changed then pushing a bunch of ne fluid in is only 1/2 the job.  Again, I am unsure how they do it, my car is a manual transmission so my fluid swaps are simple.

 

[drolds1]

6 hours ago, WKelley said:

On a regularly services transmission I am all for it.  When you have 136K miles without a service, in my personal opinion, you run the risk of pushing chunks around.  I do not know how a dealership service works, but if the pan is not dropped and filter changed then pushing a bunch of ne fluid in is only 1/2 the job.  Again, I am unsure how they do it, my car is a manual transmission so my fluid swaps are simple.

 

The 6FXX series transaxles in 2010+ Fusions have a lifetime filter.  The case has to be split open to access said filter.  The only time this would be done is if the trans is removed from the car for major service.  If the filter is clogged, the trans is toast anyway