Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles

[HeyBales]

I know! I would love to do that I used to but no way in hell im roolin under my Mav to just check the trans fluid. Would be nice if Ford would only bring back #Transmission Dip Sticks!! Then we can scratch an sniff..... Hell soon there will be no Oil dip sticks it will be "sealed for life" or change at 150K "See your Ford Dealership."..... Rant over Cherokee..

Ah - just need to squat on a bucket to get behind the wheel to check. EB or hybrid.
No need to get underneath to check.

Does the EB fill location go down far enough to actually touch fluid with a metal wand?
There's a mod - long tube comes up to where it's actually useful without removing anything, and has that unusual yellow thingy on the top of it.

Sponsored

 

[mwelby]

A change for me is twelve quarts. That gets most of the old out.

Hmmmm….so apparently a flush….

 

[Ernie01JT]

I bought one of these.
Super useful.
Basically a requirement since you have to fill a hole in the side of the case.

You will need a section of hose.

where did you get this?

 

[cclark]

Google search shows that Autozone has it. SureBilt Exact Measure Funnel looks like it.

https://www.autozone.com/p/surebilt...roductBrandId=GNVH&productUniqueId=4186749454

 

[ShadowBlack XL440]

Because I tow a lot (25% of the time) and it looked easy to do, I changed my hybrid transmission oil.

A) It was easy to do
B) I think it was too soon
C) I think I wasted time and money

Oil was CLEAN. REALLY clean.
Did not see much in the way of dirt or metal particles.

I dredged the oil pan with a powerful magnet for 5 minutes and only found one flake and about 3 grain of sand sized particles. None of the "glitter" I have read about.
Oil was transparent and wine colored.
When I wiped the magnet off there was virtually no soil on the paper towel.

Color me shocked. Impressed. Relieved. Sad I did it too soon all at the same time.

2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles.



Bottom of the pan after 1 hour of settling. Clean



Magnet: one flake and a few grains. No "dust". No "silt". No "glitter".

The magnet has a texture. And you are seeing some air bubbles. No soil when wiped with a white paper towel.



Rectangular flake: theory: was part of the oil pan casting / or fill plug threads. The fill plug was VERY tight and took a few attempts to get out. Eventually using a 1/2" drive socket wrench and 18" handle.

Oil from bottom of "dirty pan"

"2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles. "

Correct me if I am wrong (LIKE I NEEDED TO SAY THAT), a MY22 Hybrid has a 2000 Lbs tow capacity. You have no concerns towing 3200 Lbs on a regular bases? What is the real limit for my MY25 Hybrid AWD with 4K towing? I find wind resistance to be a large consideration too as well as weight.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

"2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles. "

Correct me if I am wrong (LIKE I NEEDED TO SAY THAT), a MY22 Hybrid has a 2000 Lbs tow capacity. You have no concerns towing 3200 Lbs on a regular bases? What is the real limit for my MY25 Hybrid AWD with 4K towing? I find wind resistance to be a large consideration too as well as weight.

You must consider all things.
All things considered, weight is only one aspect and 2,000 is just an arbitrary line in the sand. You can move that line based on other factors.

A 4k and 2k are nearly identical vehicles. 4k is a practical limit for all Mavericks based on size and horsepower. Of which mine is the same as yours. I lack AWD which comes into play on rare, low traction conditions.
I will get stuck sooner on sand or snow or a wet boat ramp.
So I will avoid those.

I added aftermarket equipment to make mine closer to a 4k Maverick.

 

[Tim d]

Because I tow a lot (25% of the time) and it looked easy to do, I changed my hybrid transmission oil.

A) It was easy to do
B) I think it was too soon
C) I think I wasted time and money

Oil was CLEAN. REALLY clean.
Did not see much in the way of dirt or metal particles.

I dredged the oil pan with a powerful magnet for 5 minutes and only found one flake and about 3 grain of sand sized particles. None of the "glitter" I have read about.
Oil was transparent and wine colored.
When I wiped the magnet off there was virtually no soil on the paper towel.

Color me shocked. Impressed. Relieved. Sad I did it too soon all at the same time.

2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles.

Bottom of the pan after 1 hour of settling. Clean

Magnet: one flake and a few grains. No "dust". No "silt". No "glitter".

The magnet has a texture. And you are seeing some air bubbles. No soil when wiped with a white paper towel.

Rectangular flake: theory: was part of the oil pan casting / or fill plug threads. The fill plug was VERY tight and took a few attempts to get out. Eventually using a 1/2" drive socket wrench and 18" handle.

Oil from bottom of "dirty pan"

Thx for posting. So many changing their fluid so early at 20-30k. I have an ecoboost, ford recommends trans fluid change at 150 k. Thats when i will do mine. Ford should know the maintenance on their vehicles best, if they didnt they would be out of business.

 

[22XLThybrid]

Because I tow a lot (25% of the time) and it looked easy to do, I changed my hybrid transmission oil.

A) It was easy to do
B) I think it was too soon
C) I think I wasted time and money

Oil was CLEAN. REALLY clean.
Did not see much in the way of dirt or metal particles.

I dredged the oil pan with a powerful magnet for 5 minutes and only found one flake and about 3 grain of sand sized particles. None of the "glitter" I have read about.
Oil was transparent and wine colored.
When I wiped the magnet off there was virtually no soil on the paper towel.

Color me shocked. Impressed. Relieved. Sad I did it too soon all at the same time.

2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles.

Bottom of the pan after 1 hour of settling. Clean

Magnet: one flake and a few grains. No "dust". No "silt". No "glitter".

The magnet has a texture. And you are seeing some air bubbles. No soil when wiped with a white paper towel.

Rectangular flake: theory: was part of the oil pan casting / or fill plug threads. The fill plug was VERY tight and took a few attempts to get out. Eventually using a 1/2" drive socket wrench and 18" handle.

Oil from bottom of "dirty pan"

Likely a different story with a towing EcoBoost transmission that has frictional material and is more of a standard transmission. You figure the hybrid transmission isn't using clutches or bands and items that leave material in the fluid and the ratio changes are more by magnetic field of the two motors and it's a planetary gear set. The fluid cools the electric motors. It's more just lubricating and cooling. Even though the hybrid appears to be doing more things, it's actually a simpler transmission and probably more durable and need less maintenance than the EcoBoost transmission.

 

[Rwills]

Because I tow a lot (25% of the time) and it looked easy to do, I changed my hybrid transmission oil.

A) It was easy to do
B) I think it was too soon
C) I think I wasted time and money

Oil was CLEAN. REALLY clean.
Did not see much in the way of dirt or metal particles.

I dredged the oil pan with a powerful magnet for 5 minutes and only found one flake and about 3 grain of sand sized particles. None of the "glitter" I have read about.
Oil was transparent and wine colored.
When I wiped the magnet off there was virtually no soil on the paper towel.

Color me shocked. Impressed. Relieved. Sad I did it too soon all at the same time.

2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles.

Bottom of the pan after 1 hour of settling. Clean

Magnet: one flake and a few grains. No "dust". No "silt". No "glitter".

The magnet has a texture. And you are seeing some air bubbles. No soil when wiped with a white paper towel.

Rectangular flake: theory: was part of the oil pan casting / or fill plug threads. The fill plug was VERY tight and took a few attempts to get out. Eventually using a 1/2" drive socket wrench and 18" handle.

Oil from bottom of "dirty pan"

[/you didn't change it too soon. I would change every 30,000 just to protect yourin vestmentmentTE]

Because I tow a lot (25% of the time) and it looked easy to do, I changed my hybrid transmission oil.

A) It was easy to do
B) I think it was too soon
C) I think I wasted time and money

Oil was CLEAN. REALLY clean.
Did not see much in the way of dirt or metal particles.

I dredged the oil pan with a powerful magnet for 5 minutes and only found one flake and about 3 grain of sand sized particles. None of the "glitter" I have read about.
Oil was transparent and wine colored.
When I wiped the magnet off there was virtually no soil on the paper towel.

Color me shocked. Impressed. Relieved. Sad I did it too soon all at the same time.

2022 FWD HF45 towing 3200 lbs 25% of the miles.

Bottom of the pan after 1 hour of settling. Clean

Magnet: one flake and a few grains. No "dust". No "silt". No "glitter".

The magnet has a texture. And you are seeing some air bubbles. No soil when wiped with a white paper towel.

Rectangular flake: theory: was part of the oil pan casting / or fill plug threads. The fill plug was VERY tight and took a few attempts to get out. Eventually using a 1/2" drive socket wrench and 18" handle.

Oil from bottom of "dirty pan"

I would change every 30,000 miles just to be on safe side and protect your investment

 

[HeyBales]

Thx for posting. So many changing their fluid so early at 20-30k. I have an ecoboost, ford recommends trans fluid change at 150 k. Thats when i will do mine. Ford should know the maintenance on their vehicles best, if they didnt they would be out of business.

So you don't fall under severe for the 30K?

What Are Considered Severe Driving Conditions
A vehicle that is driven for short trips of less than 5–10 mi (8–16 km), driving in temperatures well below or above average, driving in any dusty conditions, idling more than recommended such as in traffic, and driving with a heavy load or while towing a load are considered severe driving conditions. If the vehicle is driven in any of these conditions, follow the severe service maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance chart.

Also consider the engineers were far from the last hands to touch the manual sections on maintenance.

 

[Tim d]

So you don't fall under severe for the 30K?

What Are Considered Severe Driving Conditions
A vehicle that is driven for short trips of less than 5–10 mi (8–16 km), driving in temperatures well below or above average, driving in any dusty conditions, idling more than recommended such as in traffic, and driving with a heavy load or while towing a load are considered severe driving conditions. If the vehicle is driven in any of these conditions, follow the severe service maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance chart.

Also consider the engineers were far from the last hands to touch the manual sections on maintenance.

No i dont fall under severe service, just normal driving. Isnt severe service 60k?. Sry my wife has our mav, cant check the manual.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Here you go 2023 owner's manual online.

Having it downloaded on the phone is handy

 

[HeyBales]

No i dont fall under severe service, just normal driving. Isnt severe service 60k?. Sry my wife has our mav, cant check the manual.

No.

2025MY online manual.

Other Maintenance Items 1​
Every 20,000 mi (32,000 km)	Replace the cabin air filter.
Every 30,000 mi (48,000 km)	Replace the engine air filter. For severe service, Change the automatic transmission fluid.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I think it has been established that towing and hauling 25% of the time on dry pavement in mild 40° to 100°F weather is not severe duty.

 

[Lone Ridr]

Cast aluminum isn't magnetic. The shine on the piece shown in the picture indicates that it is probably aluminum. I have never worked on an Ecoboost trans but it is probably similar to other automatics. The aluminum in the transmissions is probably "flash" from the casting process which is normal. The trans case can't be cleaned. The fluid flow pressure breaks off tiny pieces of the aluminum flash during initial operation (several thousand miles). The EcoBoost 8F35 8-speed will have multiple internal clutch packs that alternate between steel plates and friction plates. The steel plates won't wear as flakes but as a fine powder.

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