Just wondering what should go into a scheduled tranny service.

Most places quote me $80 to take out the old fluid and put in new.

Is this even necessary at 37K miles? It runs fine.

Could I get away with just adding ZMAX tranny additive or Duralube tranny additive?

If I do have it serviced what should I make sure happens. Some places have told me they change the filter but I didn't even know trannys had filters.

I know they have gaskets, should that be changed?

Low on cash due to holidays but taking a trip and was wondering if I need to do it or additive is enough.

Thanks in adavance!

 

I think my truck's due up for tranny fluid change at 30K miles. I've got a secret mod coming up where i'll have to dump the fluid anyway, so the timing's perfect for me cuz i'm at 26K now, and it won't hurt if its a few K early
I'm not sure if i'm gonna do it myself yet or not, i know its a PITA without a drain plug
also up for a fuel filter change at 30K. gonna do that myself also

 

Secret mod? what do you have in store for us?

I think the answer to ROBSMST's question lies in the way he drives his truck. Tranny fluid can wear out a lot faster if you are in warmer climates, drive your truck hard, tow things etc. If you have been pretty nice to it, I don't see why you couldn't do an additive to get another thousand out of it (maybe even 2k). It is up to you.

We truck enthusiasts tend to be. . .protective of our toys. Most people don't touch their transmissions for 150k miles (if at all), change their oil for 50k (if even that), or don't even know that fuel filters need to be changed. They tend to be "problem centered" owners, they fix it when it breaks.

 

Secret mod? Dumping the tranny fluid?
Hmmm.... can't be the 4RW70 valve body, they haven't come out yet.
Or.....4X4 stainless steel, maybe chrome plated tranny fluid pan.

Ford recommends changing the tranny fluid at 30K.
The tranny's are very strict in what type of fluid it needs, so by adding some additives make sure it is the right one for your fluid.

When I had my tranny fluid changed, they replaced the seal, the filter and the fluid. That's about it.

 

$80 sounds high just to drain and replace the fluid in the pan. Do they plan to pump out the old fluid completely? If you are going to have someone else do it and pay $80 make sure they are completely replacing the tranny fluid. The shop has to have the machine to do this. I forget what it's called.

I had my old Explorer done a couple years ago and they only charged me $80 to completely replace the fluid. You can drop the pan and replace the screen and fluid yourself pretty easily.

 

can't say anything about the mod yet, nothing's definate. but you guys know i'll definately be posting about it once its done
Top secret business ya know?

 

Oh no I see tons o' pics coming from good ol' HD356!!

j/k...we look forward to pics of your next mod.

 

Well, I'll give you a hint about his secret mods, he's gonna be a Factory Tech Lab Rat.

I would never put any additives in my fluid, I don't know what's in them, I at least know that new MERCON V is something Ford intended to go into the box. 30K miles is about right, you can't always tell when you're fluid is going south, and by the time you can definitely tell, it's too late and you need a rebuild by then.

A dealer tranny service is ussually a flush and fill with new fluid through a machine, Ford does not have a service spec for replacing the filter, so unless you ask, and pay for it I wuldn't expect it, but I don't really think it's that important on every fluid change. That's just me, but they on't get real dirty.

G

 

Hahaha! I was right!

 

chester, want a cookie?

wasn't sure if you'd want me to say anything yet or not greg, so i just kept it hush hush. I'll find out this week on the shop install for what it would be and let ya know. thanks


I've still got 2 more secret mods coming up though chester, bet you can't guess either of those. LoL. Give ya a hint, they are appearance mods. Deals with the rear 1/2 the truck. Ricekicker knows one of them. lol

 

Oreos would be find Josh

Here are my guesses:

1. Muffler swap with a Magnaflow and maybe some extra exhaust tips sticking out on the left side.
2. Some led light strip on the rear below the tail gate.

Yes, that's my final answer

 

wrong and wrong
I posted about both those before. LED strip is probably a no-go for now. got better things to come 1st. Magnaflow...i'm hoping my dad buys me that for christmas, cuz i sent him the link and the part # and all for the muffler, so hopefully thats what he'll get me. LoL
I've never posted about these two mods before on here.
another hint....One is custom...can't be bought from a mag or website, the other is an oem ford part

Keep an eye out for the mail. Your oreo cookie will be shipped tomorrow. LoL! Its even Christmas colors with the red icing, yum! LoL

 

Hey...I want an oreo too

BTW, ChesterC, I know what one of the mods is...neener, neener, neener

 

I recommend a dealer that uses a BG System for the trans fluid change. The system is hooked up to the cooler lines and completely changes out the fluid including what is in the torque converter. If you just empty the pan you will have old trans fluid left in the torque converter. The going rate here in Florida is around 119.95. I don't change the filter and that way the pan is not disturbed - which means no potential leaks.

I have worked in a Ford-Mercury dealer with that set-up and it works very well. This is one "P.M." that you don't want to pass on. With today's electronically shifted lock-up transmissions the fluid flat wears out . I have had people come in to the dealer complaining about poor trans shifting ( feeling like going over a washboard road at about 45 mph) . The point when the trans is wnating to lock up and the fluid won't let it . The fluid change would 9 times out of 10 "repair" the problem.

It also doesn't hurt to change the radiator coolant at the same time. There is a BG machine that does that as well.

 

aight bill, i'll ship it out tomorrow. LoL
hopefully i'll have some pics of both of the mods within a couple weeks. i can't wait