Many vehicles don’t have trans drain plugs. The first time I drain fluid I usually install one of these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-4470/?rtype=10 it makes draining fluid in the future much easier.

 

 

I knew I wasn't totally off base and finally found my maintenance schedule guide from Ford. Every 30k miles it states the following for transmission service, "Change ATF on all vehichles equipped with AX45, 4F50N, 4R100, 4F27E. Inspect ATF levels on all other vehichles if equipped with a dipstick. Consult dealer for your particular requirements." I have transmission 4R70W. Fortunately I keep some good notes but not always where I can find them. I did contact my dealer and was told to keep the fluid level topped and always make sure that you inspect the color and smell. As long as everything looks normal and shifting is not a problem leave the transmission alone. I have followed that rule to 140k miles and since the color is red with no funky smell I'm going with the Ford recommendations. That said it does seem odd.

 

I don't buy the whole sealed transmission deal, seems more like marketing for the dealership in order to keep people from straying from the dealer.

As the chart posted earlier, oil life is relative to operating temps hence vehicles doing more towing or heavy duty work should generally have the fluid changed on a more regular basis.

There is nothing healthy for the transmission itself with broken down oil that is contaminated with brass and aluminum filings from bushing & component wear, fragments of clutch material, etc.

If you want to run your transmission for along time without worrying too much about the oil then a big tranny cooler is probably going to be your best investment.

Transmission oil doesn't get contaminated and diluted as engine oil does from all the piston blow by from fuel burning but nothing lasts forever and oil should be changed at some point to help extend the life of whatever it is used for.

Just my opinion.

 

The 4R70W uses Mercon V. It is a synthetic fluid (don't remember if full or blend), but that would be a reason for the different service interval. I was always told 50,000 mile on the 4R70W trans and 30,000 on the others. Thats what I'm going to do also. My 2002 4R70W has a Tourque convertor drain, but no pan drain. It does have a reusable pan gasket though.

 

I was under the impression that regardless of tranny, a 30k fluid change is recommended under severe service. I was also told that under normal service, 150k is recommended.

Mercon V is a synthetic blend.

 

I put a drain plug on my E4OD trans a couple of years ago and now I'll drain the 6 qts in the pan and refill about every other oil change... It only cost around $15 and keeps fresh fluid going thru the system more often then not...

Has worked well for me and with 217,000 miles on the rig and towing my TT for the last 8 years, I must be doing something right??

Mitch

 

Hey Guys, I was finally able to hook up with an old friend of mine that was an Engineer at Ford for a number of years. With regard to the 4R70W transmission it is a 100k mile maintenance transmission. He told me not to flush the transmission but simply drain what was in the pan and refill. I told him I had a slight shutter and he said that would occur over time but following this simple remedy should solve the problem. He said the key is that if the fluid is still red, with no burnt smell all should return to normal very quickly.