Transmission fluid maintenance

[JayGA]

I noticed from the manual that it suggested a 30,000 Mile interval for transmission fluid changes under severe service. And a huge interval over 100,000 for "normal" highway commuting. Which makes me believe that 30k is the real interval for people who want to keep it past the warranty period.

I'm a long way from 30k on my Ecoboost.

But I'm curious if anyone changed theirs already.

I did some casual research and couldn't find any videos on YouTube but I'm not sure what other FMC vehicles the eight-speed transmission is used in, figuring the drain and fill procedure would be similar.

Just curious if anyone's done it (or had someone else do it).

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[NoVaJimmy]

I noticed from the manual that it suggested a 30,000 Mile interval for transmission fluid changes under severe service. And a huge interval over 100,000 for "normal" highway commuting. Which makes me believe that 30k is the real interval for people who want to keep it past the warranty period.

I'm a long way from 30k on my Ecoboost.

But I'm curious if anyone changed theirs already.

I did some casual research and couldn't find any videos on YouTube but I'm not sure what other FMC vehicles the eight-speed transmission is used in, figuring the drain and fill procedure would be similar.

Just curious if anyone's done it (or had someone else do it).

I'll personally be doing 30k intervals, I had a 6F35 in my '14 Escape and did 30k fluid changes and I had no issues with it and sold it with about 150k miles on it. Unfortunately the 8F35 does not have a serviceable transmission filter unless you want to split the transmission case open.

 

[Flub]

Also interested in this topic. Furthermore when will a Haynes guide come out?

 

[Rivers90]

And if you have AWD change the PTU fluid at 30k miles too.

The PTU is like a transfer-case in a full size truck but the PTU has a wet clutch to engage the rear axle and the wet clutch can mean the oil will need to be changed more often.

 

[Phileaux]

I'll personally be doing 30k intervals, I had a 6F35 in my '14 Escape and did 30k fluid changes and I had no issues with it and sold it with about 150k miles on it. Unfortunately the 8F35 does not have a serviceable transmission filter unless you want to split the transmission case open.

You can (probably) add an inline filter along the transmission lines going to the radiator. Did that to a few 60s & 70s vehicles, adds a quart to volume and so easy to change I usually did it everyother or every third oil change.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

You can (probably) add an inline filter along the transmission lines going to the radiator. Did that to a few 60s & 70s vehicles, adds a quart to volume and so easy to change I usually did it everyother or every third oil change.

The transmission is the one item on my Maverick that concerns me considering what the 8F35 was designed to handle and what the 2.0 Ecoboost makes for torque. I like the idea once out of warranty but while in warranty I'm not going to give Ford any reason to deny transmission warranty work. While yes they would have to make a case that the filter directly caused failure I don't want to have to jump through hoops if the trans fails and it's cheap to just replace fluid at the severe service interval.

 

[JayGA]

I'll personally be doing 30k intervals, I had a 6F35 in my '14 Escape and did 30k fluid changes and I had no issues with it and sold it with about 150k miles on it. Unfortunately the 8F35 does not have a serviceable transmission filter unless you want to split the transmission case open.

What's basically what I did for my old Fusion, did fluid changes.

Now with the Maverick will depend on how I put the miles on.

But still curious of how it's done. I would hope they have a fill plug on the top rather than the side.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

What's basically what I did for my old Fusion, did fluid changes.

Now with the Maverick will depend on how I put the miles on.

But still curious of how it's done. I would hope they have a fill plug on the top rather than the side.

There is a fill plug on the top, you have to remove a breather tube and all of the airbox parts. You do still have to access a side plug as that's how you tell when it's full, bring it up to operating temp (180-200f) then I believe put it in drive on level ground and watch for fluid to start coming out of the plug hole on the side of the trans.

 

[LongLivePeart2112]

I noticed from the manual that it suggested a 30,000 Mile interval for transmission fluid changes under severe service. And a huge interval over 100,000 for "normal" highway commuting. Which makes me believe that 30k is the real interval for people who want to keep it past the warranty period.

[…]

Just one voice on a sometimes contentious topic, I lean towards your school of thought and focus on “Severe service” intervals schedules. Relatively speaking, fluids are cheaper than engines and transmissions. It’s a roll of the dice if it pays off, but there’s also a bit of peace of mind to consider too. Still, to each his/her own.

 

[Old Man]

50 year old car mentality. Equipment and fluids are different now and don't need to be changed as a 1965 F-150. Some people change oil every 3,000 miles or 5,000 miles. Why not change it every 1,000 miles? Who says that's not best? Engineers. Spark plugs, radiator coolant, transmissions. Move into the 21st century.

I still use my crank start though. Don't trust those new-fangled starters.

 

[Flub]

50 year old car mentality. Equipment and fluids are different now and don't need to be changed as a 1965 F-150. Some people change oil every 3,000 miles or 5,000 miles. Why not change it every 1,000 miles? Who says that's not best? Engineers. Spark plugs, radiator coolant, transmissions. Move into the 21st century.

I still use my crank start though. Don't trust those new-fangled starters.

Have you ever considered sir that these engineers may be speaking with the best interests of the company in mind rather than you the consumer?

 

[LongLivePeart2112]

50 year old car mentality. Equipment and fluids are different now and don't need to be changed as a 1965 F-150. Some people change oil every 3,000 miles or 5,000 miles. Why not change it every 1,000 miles? Who says that's not best? Engineers. Spark plugs, radiator coolant, transmissions. Move into the 21st century.

I still use my crank start though. Don't trust those new-fangled starters.

If your wrenching knowledge matches your sarcasm, I bow to the master. I respect your position though… you do you.

 

[JayGA]

There is a fill plug on the top, you have to remove a breather tube and all of the airbox parts. You do still have to access a side plug as that's how you tell when it's full, bring it up to operating temp (180-200f) then I believe put it in drive on level ground and watch for fluid to start coming out of the plug hole on the side of the trans.

The way you describe it makes a lot of sense. I watched a video on YouTube where all the guy did was basically complain for 10 minutes about how difficult this would be without a lift (I guess he never heard of Jack stands).

But now it makes sense that the "side plug" is used to check the level / overflow state.

Had totally confused me that I thought somehow he was running it with a drain plug off and that would be really sketchy.

 

[BoboysTruck]

I would like to do mine at 60k miles. Has anyone done it and can you post a Step by step instructions or can you recommend a How to video?

 

[realshelby]

Do what you want, at the moment we are still allowed to work on our own vehicles!
But take a moment to realize adding an inline filter might just kill your transmission. Regardless of good intent, that filter might just be adding enough restriction to increase heat and decrease lubrication in your transmission. Stick with the factory filter. Transmission filters don't really clog up until the transmission has already gone bad and is spewing contaminants. Just changing fluid every 30K could extend life, or not. Just remember to be SURE you know how much to put back in and that coincides with how much it takes to come out the fill hole.

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