Hi,
I have an 02 F-150 FX4 and just now turned over 30k on the odo. I have been planning to get the tranny fluid flushed and filter replaced at my local dealership but dad says not to, due to high tolerances in transmissions its best to leave the original fluid in it. I wanted to get everyone else opinion on getting transmission serviced.
Thanks,
Tanner

 

The same goes for the engine then. If you're not going to change the trans fluid why bother changing any fluids? That doesn't make any sense. If you want the trans to last change the fluid.

And what does "high tolerances" even mean? I don't understand that at all.

 

Yeah, change the fluid.

Darrin

 

Thanks alot,
I will probley try to get it done this week. I think he was refering to the risk of flushing a peice of clutch matter,ect in a vital transmission part. I just wanted to check with some people on here first.
I was considering going with the motorcraft full syn change because I use mobil 1 synthetics in everything else

 

I know aamco used to have a lifetime free change after the first flush for $100.00

 

The risk of that happening is the same risk of it happening driving down the road. The flush moves fluid through the trans exactly the same way it moves when the trans is operating.

 

if your only at 30k then you are safe to change the fluid

 

If you are less than one million miles you're safe to change the fluid. New fluid can only help a trans, but it can't save a failed one.

 

^????

...if you have more than..say about 100k miles you shouldnt change the transmission fluid or you could screw up the transmission.

 

It's NEVER too many miles to change the trans fluid. New fluid is ALWAYS better than old fluid. You won't damage the trans by changing the fluid, but if the trans is already damaged new fluid won't save it.

 

Changing the fluid is always the cheaper route...change the fluid. Only 30K on a 2002 wow, drive it like you stole it man! I did a filter and tranny fluid change at 50K!

 

I don't know what the owner's manual says, but I wouldn't change the trans fluid that soon. But that's just me. It's just an invitation to get dirt/crap into the trans. I change mine every 100,000 or so and it hasn't broke in over 300,000 miles.

 

The manual says change it every 30k under "severe" service, and 150k under "normal" service. If you read the service definitions, most people fall under "severe" so I'd say do it. Get a complete fluid replacement with a machine but don't let them pump "flushing fluid" through it.

 

I won't change mine until it dies.

 

Just like with engine oil, you can't "over-do" the maintenance. Some guys still change their oil at 3K or 5K, even though they use synthetics that can go a lot longer. I know people who do the "drain & fill" once a year. For me, it's just peace of mind to know that I'm not running with fouled fluids. If I open the drain plug and the fluid still looks good & does not smell burnt, then I know that I'm not running with fouled fluids and that my transmission is in good shape.

And remember, there is no such thing as being only a little pregnant.