Transmission fluid drain & refill at 10K miles - results for 2025 LOBO EcoBoost

[matmondro]

I actually just did an order on RA today for engine oil, filters, gear oil, etc for the 50k mile service for my truck. It did let me buy with ULV in the cart so hopefully I will get it.

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[Tbone289]

Google


A recent shortage of Ultra-Low Viscosity (ULV) transmission fluids (like Motorcraft Mercon ULV and GM Dexron ULV) has caused backorders and delivery delays for many dealerships and service centers across the US. The shortage is largely driven by supply chain constraints and an ongoing industry-wide scarcity of the Group III base oils required to formulate full-synthetic ULV fluids. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Well, that and hoarders like me and @Mudduck!

 

[troyfordguy]

For a standard drain and fill on the 8F35 transmission, you will typically get between 4.2 to 4.5 quarts out.

However, you should buy 5 quarts of Mercon ULV to make sure you have enough to complete the job and clear the overflow leveling plug.

I drained a total of 5 quarts out of the transmission, reinstalled the drain plug with thread sealant, then added back in 2 courts of fluid with the level plug out. When fluid started coming out of the level plug to kind of flush any other junk out I poured in an additional 1/2 quart.

I then drained the remaining fluid into a clean pan, and added back in 5 quarts per the old fluid that was drained out.

I know the above is not the typical process on here, but I drove around and came back and pulled the fill plug with it running and trans was at 195 degrees, i got a very small stream out of the level plug just to make sure.

I used a total of 6 quarts, again it's just what I did.

I appreciate all the feedback everyone!

 

[LPAHL]

I Couldn't believe that they only offered a 3 year powertrain on the eco boost in canada. I changed my RDU and PTU early at 12000km(i bet there will be people complaining about burned gear boxes in a few years) did oil at 5k and 12 k i think ill pay someone to do tranny though. ill pull my trailer through BC and and change it at 16000 kms.

 

[JasonGoz]

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to post my experience with doing a drain & refill on my LOBO, the results were a bit surprising.



I'd highly recommend changing the fluid no later than 10K to get the break-in metals out of the transmission, I've posted videos here about my PTU and RDU which both had metal in them as well. If you want to keep your Maverick longer than the Warranty Period keep up on your fluid changes.

My Maintenance so far on the Maverick:

500 miles - Break-in oil change done, metal found but not excessive, had fuel smell to the oil.

2000 Miles - Oil change done, less metal found oil was a bit darker than the 500 mile oil change but still clean. No Fuel smell noted.

5000 Miles - Engine Oil change done, PTU & RDU Drain & Refill - Found Metal in both PTU & RDU, slightly less metal in the engine oil at 2,000 miles, no fuel smell.

10,0000 Miles - Engine oil change done, NO METAL in the engine oil! Transmission drain & refilled, metal observed, trans fluid was dark.

I plan to do another Transmission, PTU & RDU service at 30K and change my oil every 5K from then on, just curious on what you all do here?

Thanks!

Troy.

The lobo has 8f35?

 

[Tbone289]

Google
The Ford Maverick Lobo features a 7-speed "Quick Shift" automatic transmission paired with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Internally, it is essentially the standard 8-speed automatic found in other EcoBoost Mavericks but recalibrated to skip second gear and shift faster, alongside including the transmission cooler from the 4K Tow Package.

Though it is the 8F35, that A.I. data is inaccurate. It is recalibrated to skip second gear and gears can be manually selected via buttons on the steering wheel. It does not have a transmission cooler that is different from a standard AWD Maverick, nor does the 4K Tow Package on 2025+ Mavericks.

 

[F150 2.7 TT user]

As a new member here I am checking opinion to get the feel of participation.
So on transmission flushes, I have in 50+ years of driving did full fluid exchanges/flushes. Usually at 30000/40000 miles. The 8 speed auto used holds near 12 quarts total and only a flush will do a full exchange. I find it is more effective to have this done in a shop hooked up to the external cooler lines. On past auto equipped vehicles a filter change is done every other fluid change. As much as I prefer to DIY my own service I find this best done in a shop equipped for this.

 

[Tbone289]

As a new member here I am checking opinion to get the feel of participation.
So on transmission flushes, I have in 50+ years of driving did full fluid exchanges/flushes. Usually at 30000/40000 miles. The 8 speed auto used holds near 12 quarts total and only a flush will do a full exchange. I find it is more effective to have this done in a shop hooked up to the external cooler lines. On past auto equipped vehicles a filter change is done every other fluid change. As much as I prefer to DIY my own service I find this best done in a shop equipped for this.

This is not the same transmission you've had 50+ years of experience with.

Since the filter can't be changed in the 8F35 transmission without removing it from the vehicle and splitting the case open, it is highly encouraged that you not perform a flush, but rather do frequent drain & fills only. Flushing the transmission can stir up settled contaminates and force those contaminates into the non-replaceable filter and solenoids. If you want to do a more thorough replacement of fluid, it is recommended that you do 3 drain & fills consecutively with short running cycles in-between.

This is a good article to read to understand the unique challenges of maintaining, rebuilding the 8F35 and it's failure modes: https://transmissionaudit.com/units/ford-transmissions/8f35/ Take note of the "Checking the Fluid", "Maintenance :Ignore the manual" and "FAQ" sections of the article and the recommendations there.

This is not the only source of these recommendations. There are other Ford certified transmission techs who have made the same or similar recommendations. The article above is concise in summarizing all of the information in one place.

 

[F150 2.7 TT user]

Yes understand the changes in transmissions, still a flush does not force fluid into the transmission. The flush "machine" has valves and bladders for fresh fluid and used fluid the pumping is done by the transmission itself. My experience with a Maverick Tremor is waiting on delivery, so the mechanics will need to be learned. I just never bought into the "do not Flush" reasoning. There is no high pressure or back flow, just the normal interior pumping of the transmission, the few examples of needing a booster pump are rare and brand dependent.

Thanks for the links as I'm in the learning stage with this trans but the article has some false info in it. Several sources list the capacity as 11 + quarts not 9 +, I have been in the shop with the tech when a BG flush was done all the pumping was done with the internal transmission pumping the fluid after fully warmed to 190 degrees on my current transmissions. No high power pump used. And the flow is all the same transmission flow direction. Such flushing is the same as the transmission functioning on the road.

As mentioned I am learning and have a trusted shop and a good relationship with the techs, I will use their recommendation.

 

[F150 2.7 TT user]

More of a post script, does the Maverick 8 speed have an external cooler? I have a Tremor ordered and assume it does but not for sure.
I'm sure many more questions will come up in the next few months.

 

[BK007]

Though it is the 8F35, that A.I. data is inaccurate. It is recalibrated to skip second gear and gears can be manually selected via buttons on the steering wheel. It does not have a transmission cooler that is different from a standard AWD Maverick, nor does the 4K Tow Package on 2025+ Mavericks.

Just to clear up the confusion on the hardware—the data is actually pulled straight from the major automotive reviews.

Car and Driver did a full instrumented track test on the 2025 Lobo, and they explicitly broke down the mechanical parts-bin upgrades. I'll paste the exact paragraph from their review right here:

"The cooling system gets an upgrade, with both a bigger radiator and the transmission cooler from the towing package. The seven-speed automatic transmission is unique to the Lobo—it's the eight-speed, really, but programmed to skip second gear. Ford figures that if you're driving on a tight track or an autocross course, a wider gap in the lower ratios is actually preferable to constant hunting between gears."

It turns out it carries the heavy-duty transmission oil cooler and larger radiator from the 4K towing setup to handle the heat on a track circuit, and the 7-speed setup is mechanically the 8-speed case programmed to skip second gear.

It's a really unique mix of parts that is easy to overlook since it looks like a standard AWD setup from the outside, but the extra heavy-duty cooling loops are definitely hidden under there!
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a65627707/2025-ford-maverick-lobo-test/

 

[Tbone289]

More of a post script, does the Maverick 8 speed have an external cooler? I have a Tremor ordered and assume it does but not for sure.
I'm sure many more questions will come up in the next few months.

It does on the Tremor and the 2022-2024 4K tow package. The difference you're seeing in volume is due to the differences in cooler setups, by the way, not false information.

EDIT: I should be more specific here... All 8F35s have external coolers. The simpler setups have a water-to-oil heat exchanger only. The Tremor has a small water-to-oil heat exchanger and a air-to-oil cooler between the A/C condenser and radiator.

I fully understand how fluid exchange machines work, BTW, but thanks for the lesson.

 

[Tbone289]

Just to clear up the confusion on the hardware—the data is actually pulled straight from the major automotive reviews.

Car and Driver did a full instrumented track test on the 2025 Lobo, and they explicitly broke down the mechanical parts-bin upgrades. I'll paste the exact paragraph from their review right here:

"The cooling system gets an upgrade, with both a bigger radiator and the transmission cooler from the towing package. The seven-speed automatic transmission is unique to the Lobo—it's the eight-speed, really, but programmed to skip second gear. Ford figures that if you're driving on a tight track or an autocross course, a wider gap in the lower ratios is actually preferable to constant hunting between gears."

It turns out it carries the heavy-duty transmission oil cooler and larger radiator from the 4K towing setup to handle the heat on a track circuit, and the 7-speed setup is mechanically the 8-speed case programmed to skip second gear.

It's a really unique mix of parts that is easy to overlook since it looks like a standard AWD setup from the outside, but the extra heavy-duty cooling loops are definitely hidden under there!

OK, that doesn't agree with part searches I've done myself and photos of Lobos and 2025+ 4K tow Mavericks I've seen here on the forum. The auxiliary transmission hoses aren't "hidden" at all on these. They're very easy to see under the hood. I can take pictures of mine if you'd like.

 

[BK007]

OK, that doesn't agree with part searches I've done myself and photos of Lobos and 2025+ 4K tow Mavericks I've seen here on the forum. The auxiliary transmission hoses aren't "hidden" at all on these. They're very easy to see under the hood. I can take pictures of mine if you'd like.

No worries at all, Terry! Honestly, with the way Ford changes part numbers and option packages from year to year, it’s incredibly easy for everything to get confusing. At the end of the day, they are awesome trucks either way. I really appreciate you sharing what you're seeing on your end, and thanks for a good, clean discussion on it!

 

[Tbone289]

No worries at all, Terry! Honestly, with the way Ford changes part numbers and option packages from year to year, it’s incredibly easy for everything to get confusing. At the end of the day, they are awesome trucks either way. I really appreciate you sharing what you're seeing on your end, and thanks for a good, clean discussion on it!

There are also service manual images posted here on the forum showing the lack of auxiliary coolers if you're interested in searching for them.

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