I just bought a 2006 truck with 75,000 miles on it. The previouss owner could not remember if he had ever changed the automatic transmission fluid. It's not dirty but not clean either. Is it to late to change the fluid without messing up the tranny?
Thanks

 

Not an issue at all...........the service interval is 100K, but............

Here's what I have done on every vehicle (auto trans) that I have owned for 30 years....

At 20k miles, I change the filter (due to possible residual/initial wear particulates that may be floating inside) and either drain the torque converter (if so equipped with a plug) or disconnect the trans cooler line at the radiator, fill the pan with fresh fluid, my wife starts the engine and when 2-3 quarts drain into a bucket, she shuts it off, I refill the pan and repeat until the fluid is clear and in case of the f150, 14 quarts of fresh fluid is in.

I change only the fluid after that (unless I determine substances/contamination in the oil). The intervals vary depending on the type of trans, type of fluid and conditions, but in general, every 30k miles. Heat is a killer on automatic trans fluid and when we lived in the desert area, I changed the trans fluid at the end of summer every year.

In regards to filters, oem is fine, but I typically use Wix.

In regards to trans oil, both in sticks and autos I have always used Valvoline.

I have also never had a trans failure in any vehicle I own and typically keep my vehicles for 10+ years, with over 100k on the odometer.

 

Thanks.. Should I get a forward flush or just change the oil and filter?

 

fluid exchange. i wouldn't ever change the internal filter. not worth the effort. all its made to do is catch large pieces.

 

Exchange, not a flush.