Did Ford change "auto trans service" policy?
 

My dealership claims that Ford recommends not changing the filter every time, just changing the fluid. They used to do both on my '02 but supposedly something changed.

Anybody heard this?

How did they change the fluid before? Did they actually drop the pan? Most of the time they hook it up to a machine that sucks the old fluid out(transmission "flush") and replace with new fluid, no filter change.

I believe they changed the filter, but maybe not...

Local dealer used to offer a simple transmission service that consisted of a pan drop/replace filter/refill. No more. Now they only offer a power flush. To have the filter changed with a flush costs over $100 more than just the flush! I doubt they change many filters.

I've never seen anywhere that Ford has a service interval for the internal filter. The only filters I've seen that had enough junk in them that they needed to be changed were in transmissions that had failed a clutch or band. In a trans that isn't failed the filter does not need to be changed every fluid change.

for a ford transmission service you must have the tranny flushed every 30,000 miles within warrenty or warrenty will be voided and the filter is to be changed at about 90,000 miles. when they drop the pan that only takes out 4 of the 10 or more quarts of fluid.

The maintenance schedule I see does not require a filter change, and it does not "require" a flush. It simply says "change transmission fluid" and is only required every 30k on a 4R100 - and others under "severe service". "Normal service" on a 4R70/75E is every 150k.

Some trucks have a drain on the torque converter. I think we got all but a quart or two out my brother's '97 doing it that way.

I just drop the pan, change the filter and clean the magnet every 30k, mine doesn't have the TC plug.

If they'd just put a freaking drain plug on the stock pan.............

Bought a hand pump for $5 a few years ago, use it to suck out 4 quarts of ATF from the dipstick. Did 4 suck/fills every 10k after changing the filter at 50K. Now just doing a suck/fill every 30K. Using Mobil 1 ATF.

Hand pump also makes changing differentials a snap.

My dealer has been very good for maintenance work - fortunately all I ever much need. When I asked about changing the tranny filter on my 1999 F-150 5.4, I was told that they do not ever recommend replacing the internal filter. There is a filter screen kit that they do recommend with service around 100,000 miles. I did that and don't recall the cost, but it wasn't a lot.

I haven't hit 100,000 miles yet, so maybe my dealer never had changed the filter.