30K Service ?'s b/c of conflicting stories

pmason718 · #1 11-02-2009, 01:12 PM

What should be done

Besides

Oil, Air, Fuel filter and Tire rotation.

I was told that I should have the tranny serviced (not flushed) which means (according to dealership) new filter and fluid. I was quoted at $353 for this. I also spoke to a different dealership that recommended brake system flushed and coolant. I don't think these things are needed this early but what about the tranny serviced? (not flushed just serviced). What am I missing? is there anything to add or take away

Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!

pmason718 · #2 11-02-2009, 01:29 PM

I spoke to another dealership just now that I feel comfortable with

I'm going to do this....

Oil change & filter

Fuel Filter Change

Air Filter Change (may just do this myself) Does anyone know or have a pic of where I should install this

Tranny Flushed (not just serviced) which would just be the filter and fluid.

Don't need tires rotated b/c I will be putting back on my factory wheels for the winter.

Am I missing something?

**Bluejay** · #3 11-02-2009, 01:48 PM

My dealer told me that unless I was towing a lot, putting a strain on the truck, to do the coolant and brakes at 100,000. I did the tranny service at 30,000 and a flush at 60,000. Doing another flush at 100,000.

I would do the air and fuel filter yourself. They really stick it to you for these. My dealer charges $69 for the fuel filter and I do it for $13 and it takes about 15 minutes. The air filter should take you 2 minutes. My dealer charges about $90 for the tranny service and $30 for an oil change.

pmason718 · #4 11-02-2009, 02:02 PM

I'm going to do the air filter myself but what about the tranny? Should I have it serviced or flushed? One guy at the dealership said to flush it b/c when you service it you still have old fluid left behind. I know I can probably do the fuel filter myself but I don't really have the time or a lift.

**Bluejay** · #5 11-02-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmason718

I'm going to do the air filter myself but what about the tranny? Should I have it serviced or flushed? One guy at the dealership said to flush it b/c when you service it you still have old fluid left behind. I know I can probably do the fuel filter myself but I don't really have the time or a lift.

There are arguements for service and arguements for flush. Yes, if you just get the service, they remove the pan, change the filter and only about 7 or 8 qts of fluid get changed. If you do the flush, the filter does not get changed. The best solution may be to wait till 60,000 and have them flush it and change the filter, both. If I were going to do just one, I would do the flush. Keep in mind, there are very differing opinions on this. I used to think a flush was a no-no, but have changed my mind as I learned more.

pmason718 · #6 11-02-2009, 02:33 PM

I feel you. I just got off the phone with another dealer and he pretty much explained the Ford and Dealer recommendation. Under normal Driving conditions my tranny is scheduled to be flushed at 60K according to Ford (Schedule Maintenance Manual) and 30K with the dealer. My dilemma is who in the hell do I listen to, lol. Now I do two b/t 2-4 times a year from NYC to NC so this also may be a factor. I don't mind spending the extra money if it needs to be done but does it. Will I harm anything if I wait until 60K or will I harm anything doing it now at 30K? I'm all over the place with this especially after speaking to 7 different dealers with different stories

**Bluejay** · #7 11-02-2009, 02:40 PM

Don't see how you can hurt anything at all by doing it at 30,000. I did the service at 30,000 and the flush at 60,000 and my tranny seems perfectly happy. I started out with the idea of doing the service every 30,000, with the concept of keeping the filter clean and refreshing al little less than 1/2 of the total fluid each time. I finally accepted that what they do in a flush is not a bad thing and it was better to get all of the fluid switched out. I think if you do either one on a regular basis, you are good. I do think that 60,000 is often enough for a flush, though, unless you are towing and creating a lot of transmission heat.

pmason718 · #8 11-02-2009, 02:54 PM

I'm going to do this

oil change & filter

Fuel filter

Air filter (myself)

No tranny anything until 60K Even though I tow about 2-4 times a year.

pmason718 · #9 11-02-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluejay

Don't see how you can hurt anything at all by doing it at 30,000. I did the service at 30,000 and the flush at 60,000 and my tranny seems perfectly happy. I started out with the idea of doing the service every 30,000, with the concept of keeping the filter clean and refreshing al little less than 1/2 of the total fluid each time. I finally accepted that what they do in a flush is not a bad thing and it was better to get all of the fluid switched out. I think if you do either one on a regular basis, you are good. I do think that 60,000 is often enough for a flush, though, unless you are towing and creating a lot of transmission heat.

What would you guys consider heavy towing? Let's say you was going to wait to do a tranny flush at 60K. Would being that you tow from NYC to NC about 4 times a year be a factor that you do change it at 30K

**Bluejay** · #10 11-02-2009, 03:00 PM

I think, for peace of mind, I would do the flush at 30,000 or 40,000 and feel I had done all I could do for it.

pmason718 · #11 11-02-2009, 03:26 PM

I gotcha. The funny thing is that my girl has a 08 focus and just hit 30K like me and her manual also says 60K for an tranny flush but she doesn't tow. Do you think she should do hers also.

**Bluejay** · #12 11-02-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmason718

I gotcha. The funny thing is that my girl has a 08 focus and just hit 30K like me and her manual also says 60K for an tranny flush but she doesn't tow. Do you think she should do hers also.

Personally, I would stick to the manual on it and go with the 60,000.

Patman03SprCrw · #13 11-02-2009, 03:58 PM

my fluid didnt last past 45k before it was so bad the trans was slipping. I would recommend doing it every 30k with new filter. can't hurt to do it too often, but it will hurt it if you dont do it enough

**Bluejay** · #14 11-02-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patman03SprCrw

my fluid didnt last past 45k before it was so bad the trans was slipping. I would recommend doing it every 30k with new filter. can't hurt to do it too often, but it will hurt it if you dont do it enough

By changing the filter, are you saying the service is adequate? Or do you recommend flushing, a full fluid change?

pmason718 · #15 11-02-2009, 04:11 PM

One dealership told me its better to do a flush than to just the service b/c they remove all of the fluid and put it back in. All the info and imput and I still don't know what I'm going to do. The manual says 60K and I want to follow it but everywhere I look on the web everyone has done it at 30K