Ford 8F35 Transaxle Fluid Change at 150,000 miles? What's The Consensus?

[mikeymaverick]

I just called my dealer, and Ford's official recommendation is to change the 8F35 transaxle/transmission fluid at 150,000 miles, with the service costing around $260. Does this 150,000-mile interval seem realistic, or should the fluid be changed sooner for normal driving? I had originally planned on changing it at 30,000 miles. What is the general consensus for modern transaxles/transmissions? (not my transaxle in the pic).

Sponsored

 

[dalola]

I guess it depends how long you plan to keep it. I've opted to do the simple drain & refill (~4.5 qts) every 30K. It's easy & cheap, and lets me sleep better at night.

 

[Jah.]

In previous vehicles I changed trans fluid at 60k miles and never had tranny problems .

 

[Richard2212]

I just called my dealer, and Ford's official recommendation is to change the 8F35 transaxle/transmission fluid at 150,000 miles, with the service costing around $260. Does this 150,000-mile interval seem realistic, or should the fluid be changed sooner for normal driving? I had originally planned on changing it at 30,000 miles. What is the general consensus for modern transaxles/transmissions? (not my transaxle in the pic).

I drive 5000 miles per year. I change Engine, Trans, PTU(AWD) and Rear Axle(AWD) once a year. Easy to do and materials are less than $200.

This Trans is very sensitive to dirty Fluid. My plan is much less costly than a repair.

 

[Old Fart]

I tow a small camper 4-20 times a year, depending on where we go, I had it done at $30K with a synthetic oil change. Was over $400, I'm thinking of using a local mechanic I like in the future, Coggins keeps wanting me to kiss their mirror and give them great reviews.

 

[lm126027]

Only had my Mav for a little over 3 month, but bought it to tow a snowmobile trailer that figured was a little heavy for my Escape. Would have been pushing low 3000 vs limit on it 3500. Have changed trans fluid at 60,000 (or sooner on older vehicles) on just about every vehicle I owned. Escape too said 150,000 (had 64,000+ when I traded). Would have done at 60,000 on the Escape had I not ordered the Mav. I plan to continue the drain and replace at 60,000 (cheap insurance). Back on my Bronco II a local oil change place added a part to the line to the trans cooler and with the car running, it pumped the new fluid in and the old came out... Once what was coming out was the new stuff, they stopped. Not sure anyone still does that or can on the newer trans...

 

[Meeka]

I guess it depends how long you plan to keep it. I've opted to do the simple drain & refill (~4.5 qts) every 30K. It's easy & cheap, and lets me sleep better at night.

When you Mav owners talk about transmission fluid drain and refills, curious, is it also a good idea to get it flushed first hand? I’ve heard a while ago that flushing is not all it’s cracked up to be.

 

[Automan21]

Did mine at 15k.
just to be proactive.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

In previous vehicles I changed trans fluid at 60k miles and never had tranny problems .

Did your previous vehicle have a 6f35 or an 8f35? They're not well regarded or known to be reliable...

 

[dalola]

When you Mav owners talk about transmission fluid drain and refills, curious, is it also a good idea to get it flushed first hand? I’ve heard a while ago that flushing is not all it’s cracked up to be.

I think, if you follow a drain - refill procedure often & ahead of schedule, flushing is not necessary. JMO.

 

[Camdak]

I think, if you follow a drain - refill procedure often & ahead of schedule, flushing is not necessary. JMO.

I like that idea after the horror stories I’ve heard about flushing, and that was on different forums from other vehicles I’ve owned.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I tow a small camper 4-20 times a year, depending on where we go, I had it done at $30K with a synthetic oil change. Was over $400, I'm thinking of using a local mechanic I like in the future, Coggins keeps wanting me to kiss their mirror and give them great reviews.

I try to stay friendly and with all the pressure on dealer for employees to get 5 star reviews I like to give them and try to go to same employee as much as possible. Maybe it helps maybe not but they seem to try better for "Mr 5 STAR".

 

[tciotti2003]

Bought my 22 Lariat awd used with 21k miles. Within 2 weeks I had all the fluids changed including the PTU & RDU. And this was because of a post I read here in the forum..

 

[Camdak]

I try to stay friendly and with all the pressure on dealer for employees to get 5 star reviews I like to give them and try to go to same employee as much as possible. Maybe it helps maybe not but they seem to try better for "Mr 5 STAR".

Great point! It’s just that some dealers don’t really seem to give a …. Too bad some of us have to deal with them!

 

[FHFR3Maverick]

I changed the trans, RDU and PTU at 28K. Both the RDU and PTU fluids were low and quite dark. The trans fluid did not look too bad. I used AmsOil in the trans and PTU, Motorcraft RDU fluid in the RDU. I will continue to do 30K changes.

Sponsored