Changed the eCVT transmission fluid in my Hybrid Maverick

[surfstar]

Somehow, a subject that should be more evidence-based, always comes down to personal opinion.
Call me lazy or cheap (I won't mind), but I prefer not to work or spend more than I have to - therefore I'm fine with OEM recommended oil intervals. Haven't had any lube-related engine or transmission failures.

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[The Real Maverick]

and yet Ford still found a way to make the transmission fail

With the HF45 already being a higher strung version of the HF35 requiring more cooling capacity, that doesn't bode well for the "150,000 mile" schedule when HF35s are failing at 100k.

I've towed more than the rating up a 6-7% grade on a 96 degree day and the transmission stayed 145°F.

I challenge you to get yours hotter than this.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Is there a way to see how much the engine is running?? That sounds really low unless you literally mean "time" and you spent a lot of it sitting in traffic. But even still, how do you find this information? It would be interesting to have if possible.

Not literally as a percentage but there is this:

And as for time, Yes. I'm all city. So easily my engine if off for 85% of the time. Sometimes 85% of the miles. Sometimes 70% of the miles.

 

[tciotti2003]

Right after i purchased my 2022 Lariat Ecoboost that had 20k about 14 weeks ago, I took it to my local shop that I've used for years and had them go through and replace all the fluids including the transfer case, brake, tranny, coolant. I've always done this though when I've purchased a used vehicle. For me, it set the benchmark.

 

[Jbuys]

But EcoBoost and Hybrids are not the same.

On my last 840 mile tank the engine was running about 15% of the time.

Ran 15% of the time and probably never got up to operating temp and burned off any moisture that inevitably gets into all engines and oil and contaminants it. Thus the reason for regular oil change intervals (5,000) not extended oil change intervals (10,000), even on and more importantly Hybrid engines that only run a little bit and never get to operating temp.

 

[sprubs]

Not literally as a percentage but there is this:

And as for time, Yes. I'm all city. So easily my engine if off for 85% of the time. Sometimes 85% of the miles. Sometimes 70% of the miles.

Is that summed up somewhere beyond single trips? I've noticed what you show above but not anything that would allow me to look at the breakdown over a whole tank of gas.

 

[surfstar]

Ran 15% of the time and probably never got up to operating temp and burned off any moisture that inevitably gets into all engines and oil and contaminants it. Thus the reason for regular oil change intervals (5,000) not extended oil change intervals (10,000), even on and more importantly Hybrid engines that only run a little bit and never get to operating temp.

and yet no OEMs require shorter intervals with hybrid engines. Plug-in hybrids will actually run the ICE if it hasn't been run in a certain period of time, even if your battery has enough power - to ensure that the oil is circulated and the engines comes up to temp, etc.

I still have yet to see the doom and gloom of longer oil change intervals in reality. Yes some engines have issues - Honda fuel dilution comes to mind - but of all the various designs that we have out there now, an owner is fine going by the factory interval.

 

[Jbuys]

and yet no OEMs require shorter intervals with hybrid engines. Plug-in hybrids will actually run the ICE if it hasn't been run in a certain period of time, even if your battery has enough power - to ensure that the oil is circulated and the engines comes up to temp, etc.

I still have yet to see the doom and gloom of longer oil change intervals in reality. Yes some engines have issues - Honda fuel dilution comes to mind - but of all the various designs that we have out there now, an owner is fine going by the factory interval.

To each his own. If you want to go by the Manufactures guidelines the by all means go for it. As for me I have seen more engine destruction and worn out engines from extended oil changes or lack of oil changes than I want to see. I have never seen an engine blow up (unless its a Kia/Hyundai 4 cylinder) with more frequent oil changes than what is recommended by the Manufacture. I plan on keeping mine for probably the rest of my life so I am taking care of it with more frequent oil changes both engine and transmission.

 

[TheSEARCH]

Inline_five posted a video clearly showing WHY you should change the hybrid trans fluid. Plain as day. THANKS I was unaware of the issue. You can ignore at your own risk. Its easy as pie to do. Now 10 or 20 K miles is early BUT it looks like OP was LOW so it turns out NOT a bad idea.

I chuckle when I hear about hybrid not running as much which is true BUT it also has a bad effect. On mine the oil often ever gets up and stays very long at full temperature. Full temperature burns off condensation the water that normally will build up. So is it really less often a need to change this oil. Up to you. Plus it depend on how and where you drive. For the guys/gals getting super high MPG I would say MORE often NOT less.

Then the guys there is no proof. You turbo guys should watch youtube turbo tear downs and how they clog the little screen mesh filter in oil feed line with 7 K oil changes. BUT well after warranty it out.

BUT in the end its up to YOU. Do what YOU want. Not telling anyone what to do.

 

[inline_five]

I've towed more than the rating up a 6-7% grade on a 96 degree day and the transmission stayed 145°F.

I challenge you to get yours hotter than this.

I've got an OBD dongle and can't see where to get transmission temp. How'd you get it? I can find coolant temp but not transmission. That would be great info.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Right after i purchased my 2022 Lariat Ecoboost that had 20k about 14 weeks ago, I took it to my local shop that I've used for years and had them go through and replace all the fluids including the transfer case, brake, tranny, coolant. I've always done this though when I've purchased a used vehicle. For me, it set the benchmark.

Sounds like a good idea on the mileage and used- you never know what previous owner did/didn't do.

 

[SFB]

Seems to be not needed! Two completely different drivetrains! eCVT is basically 2 planetary gear sets and a differential, obviously that’s simple explanation but it’s not a hydraulic multi gear transmission.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Ran 15% of the time and probably never got up to operating temp and burned off any moisture that inevitably gets into all engines and oil and contaminants it. Thus the reason for regular oil change intervals (5,000) not extended oil change intervals (10,000), even on and more importantly Hybrid engines that only run a little bit and never get to operating temp.

Dude. You're posting in the wrong thread. Look at the title(s).

 

[Poultrygeist]

After reading about 4WD PTU units being underfilled from the factory, I decided to go ahead and change the fluid in the eCVT yesterday. I have 14,000 troublefree miles and was doing my third oil change at the same time while I had the splash shield off. I found a couple of things I was not expecting.

The 14 mm drain plug for the eCVT was a lot looser than I was expecting. It wasn't finger tight, but took very little effort to turn with my wrench. It does have fine threads going into an aluminum housing so I was careful not to overtighten when I replaced it.

I drained about 3 quarts of fluid (shown in the 1 gallon jug photo) and refilled with 4 quarts before it started to run out the fill plug hole. I believe it was slightly underfilled at the factory. Probably not enought to damage anything but still a little underfilled.

The fluid was darker than I thought it would be, but didn't smell burnt or unusual. There were a few metallic flecks in the pan, but I expected that.

Overall the job was about as easy as doing an oil change, especially with the splash shield already removed. And the peace of mind is worth a little to me since I plan to keep the truck long term. I plan to wait another 30K and do the drain/fill again.

When you change eCVT fluid is it a complete drain or does some still remain? In my other cars I always added the same amount that I drained out.

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