I have a 2007 with 41k miles on the clock. I was looking into getting the ATF changed, and saw a coupon on the dealer's website for 119.95, and it said up to 5 quarts. I e-mailed them and said I assume at that quantity, that covers just dropping the pan, and asked if it included a new filter. He responded by telling me that they drop the pan, replace the filter, and fill it back up. However, my mileage is under 50k, and unless I do extreme towing, or have issues such as water intrusion, I do not need this done until 150,000 miles.

What's up with that? I don't tow anything, but I figured 40k was a healthy point to do it at. Fluid isn't discolored or smell burnt, but 150,000 miles before changing the filter or changing out any fluid at all?

 

I wouldn't wait till 150000 That must be something new.
I thought you were supposed to change it at 35000 according to my trucks specks.
I would do it now or soon if I were you.

Phil

 

Yeah usually 30k is the point at which people begin replacing theirs. I don't do much towing, and I don't beat the hell out of my truck, so I'm not worried that it's at 40k, I plan on doing it in the next month.

 

Yeah I wouldn't worry about 40K but I certainly wouldn't go 150,000...lol

 

Agreed, I was just surprised when I read that e-mail. Sounds like the dealer also wants to sell me a transmission in a few years?

 

hahahaha Yeah,,they make a lot more money on trannys then they do on oil.

 

$120 is not a great deal for a pan drop. You can get a complete exchange with a machine for that at independent shops.

I'd recommend a machine exchange every 60k.

 

If your fluid ever smells burned, it's already to late

 

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.

 

Is the stock ATF fluid synthetic or not?

 

Semi-synthetic.

 

I am sitting at just over 60k... Having in done in the spring

 

Actually all newer vehicle have switch to synthetic Mercon V or the newest Mercon.... It breaks down at higher temps, and will last longer. I just had a built Suncoast 4r100 put back in my truck and decided to switch from Mercon V to a Synthetic ATF from Royal purple. It was reccommend to change every 60k...