Hybrid Transmission Drain and Fill @ 61K Miles

[19mustang65]

They recommend 30k if you have a roof rack.

If you put the rack on at 5k Miles do you change it 35k or still at 30?

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[BoboysTruck]

I was referring to the guy in the video.

Anyway....

 

[RatherBeDrivingaManual]

I was referring to the guy in the video.

Thanks for clarifying, I thought he was your dealership/mechanic.

 

[Hardening2753]

At 61K miles I decided to do a drain and fill. I watched this video.




Guy in the video said he drained about 7 quarts out so I went and got 7 quarts of QULV at the dealer but only used 3 quarts and 24 oz before fluid started dripping out of the fill hole. So, does the eCVT have nooks and crannies like the traditional trannies where fluid hides?
Anyway, here are some pics.

Old and new fluid.

Drain and fill plugs. No particles on the drain plug.

Also it appears the fluid is cooled in the radiator.

Old fluid

I watched the video on Chris fix it and he basically recommends taking a little bit out of every fluid with every oil change and replacing the same quantity that way it keeps everything at least refreshed. And then doing what you're doing a full flush later on. I plan on doing this since I like tinkering with cars and it's cheaper to spend 30 bucks on fluid then a couple hundred on a new part

 

[MaverickTopGun]

At 61K miles I decided to do a drain and fill. I watched this video.

That was the old Aisin-designed and made eCVT, not our Maverick's. More fluid in the old one.

Guy in the video said he drained about 7 quarts out so I went and got 7 quarts of QULV at the dealer but only used 3 quarts and 24 oz before fluid started dripping out of the fill hole. So, does the eCVT have nooks and crannies like the traditional trannies where fluid hides?

Ford says the eCVT transmission fluid capacity is 4.76 qts. I pumped out 2.5 qts from mine, just running an electric fluid pump from the fill hole (I did not open the drain plug).

I can see how you put in 3.75, since it is hard to get it all out of the cooling lines, and maybe other places for it to hide. One quart was undrainable, not bad.

No particles on the drain plug.

They are not magnetic. I think there is a magnet inside the casing.

 

[MaverickTopGun]

I watched the video on Chris fix it and he basically recommends taking a little bit out of every fluid with every oil change and replacing the same quantity that way it keeps everything at least refreshed. And then doing what you're doing a full flush later on. I plan on doing this since I like tinkering with cars and it's cheaper to spend 30 bucks on fluid then a couple hundred on a new part

True, it is easy to do partial fluid changes on this. Quick job.
I've already pumped out 2.5 qts (all it would pump out from the fill hole) and replaced it.
Every year or two, take out another 2.5 qts. Never need a full flush after that.

One warning: Always put fluid in until it runs out of the fluid fill hole. The warning is that Ford has sometimes not quite put enough in at the factory, which means you shouldn't just trust it was ever at the correct level to start with.
Ambient temperature, and fluid temperature too, should be between 68F and 100F for the level to be right at the hole.
Put the Level & Fill Plug back on with 26 lb-ft torque.

 

[801Maverick801]

I follow the advice from the manufacturer and their engineers who know their product so I will follow the manual and not do any unnecessary or unneeded maintenance prematurely.

I remember when my wife purchased her 2009 Honda CR-V and during a Service Meeting for new owners (got 2 free oil changes) the head of the service department recommended changing the initial oil at 1000 miles. I pointed out that the manual specifically stated "NOT TO DO AN OIL CHANGE before the maintenance minder said so" as it is special oil put in the vehicle to help in maintaining the long life of the engine. The service manager didn't back off and I wonder how many who followed his incorrect advice are now wondering why they have engine problems.

I've worked as a mechanic my entire adult life. Please don't listen to this guy if you plan on having this vehicle for a long time.

 

[nandesho]

That’s interesting that the fluid is cooled in the radiator this time. That provides some added confidence for towing that I didn’t have in older hybrids. Thanks for getting under and taking a picture!
In my previous Ford eCVTs the fluid looked to be cooled passively by the low temp coolant system. Luckily, still never got them above normal operating temp.

 

[JimParker256]

I've worked as a mechanic my entire adult life. Please don't listen to this guy if you plan on having this vehicle for a long time.

801Maverick801 - Clarification, please! Are you suggesting we not listen to huunvubu's advice to follow the manual, or not listen to the service manager to perform the oil changes earlier than recommended? You post could be read either way... Thanks.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

... not all these Hybrids are doomed to be problematic...

Based on previous hybrids' history, if you have problems, it will likely not be with the transmission. The eCVT has about 1/3 the moving parts as a conventional automatic transmission and is proven technology.

 

[taralon]

The big thing is eCVT doesn't have clutch discs running in the fluid contaminating it, and the eCVT doesn't use it as a torque transfer device dumping tons of heat into it. It is only used to lubricate the planetaries, and to serve as a heat transfer fluid from the planetaries to the rest of the case/cooling system.

I am surprised that they would run a seperate transmission fluid coolant loop, as there is a seperate coolant system to cool the electric motor/generators, and there should be some heat transfer through that as well. Perhaps they are setting up for a 4k tow awd hybrid version?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The big thing is eCVT doesn't have clutch discs running in the fluid contaminating it, and the eCVT doesn't use it as a torque transfer device dumping tons of heat into it. It is only used to lubricate the planetaries, and to serve as a heat transfer fluid from the planetaries to the rest of the case/cooling system.

I am surprised that they would run a seperate transmission fluid coolant loop, as there is a seperate coolant system to cool the electric motor/generators, and there should be some heat transfer through that as well. Perhaps they are setting up for a 4k tow awd hybrid version?

As I understand it the fluid is all the same and if the fluid cannot be cooled enough with the radiator coolant loop exchanger then the fluid will be further cooled by the low temp loop assisted by the AC compressor. The fluid is pumped over the field coils to cool them. They produce much heat and each coil has its own thermostat as well as fluid itself. The ecvt fluid contains additives to protect the coating over the windings and should be replaced periodically depending on use to insure coatings do not deteriorate from lack of additives. Be sure to replace ecvt fluid with approved type!!! Regenerative braking can be restricted for other reasons than HVB temps.

 

[Nesser]

Thanks for the pictures @BoboysTruck - I was wondering where the fill plug came from. Turns out it's in the drivers (left) wheel well. Found it while swapping out to winter tires.

Any idea what the temperature range listed on the sticker is for? Shows 20C to 93C. Seems like what the temperatures should be for a level check after refill - aka not in the middle of winter but a summer job.

 

[GeoJoe]

This makes me very disappointed with the finance manager at the dealership. I told him the maintenence plan wasn't worth it if it only covered oil changes and wiper replacements. He told me it also covered the transmission fluid replacement etcetera.

When I see transmission fluid replacement isn't recommended until way after the 75k limit on the plan, I see that he deliberately mislead me.

 

[Montana]

Good write up.

The "recommended" intervals are a joke. Recommended intervals have nothing to do with engineers "knowing their product". It's to save the company money and minimize the amount their dealerships have to do anything to get a vehicle through their warranty. Bottom line.

That's why over time the old adage is essentially "it's better to not change it" when it comes to tranny fluid - because it's so full of crap particles that it ends up being the only thing holding the transmission together and plugging gaps/holes especially in the valve bodies little plastic pieces and check balls (which are also majority plastic now days too). Change often to avoid this and keep your transmission running better/longer. Basic engineering proves this in fluid viscosity alone.

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