Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles

Mavster Mechanic · 2026-07-27T11:10:09-0700

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.

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9061

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9035

Bottom of the pan after 1 hour of settling. Clean

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9052

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

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9054

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

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9060

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"

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9053

Mavster Mechanic · 2026-07-27T11:16:19-0700

I put 3 oz into a sample bottle for Blackstone Lab but now I think I won't spend the money on it.

Aleks · 2026-07-27T11:18:28-0700

Better news than the alternative!

Meeka · 2026-07-27T11:20:04-0700

Mavster Mechanic said:
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"

Wow, that is very impressive (and rare I assume) for a ‘22! Nice.

Mavster Mechanic · 2026-07-27T11:25:34-0700

I am very gentle on my daily commutes. But the towing had me curious.

BK007 · 2026-07-27T11:38:15-0700

Why is it shocking... Not rare for an eCVT there is no Torque convertor, valve body, belts or friction clutch disks. All it really has is electric motors and gears. You should still change it with ULV fluid on the HF45,HF55 and 8F35 Ford Transmissions for better service life.

Mavster Mechanic · 2026-07-27T11:38:49-0700

Of course the magnet will only pick out iron and mild steel.

Are any of the transmission parts non-ferrous or not magnetic?

HeyBales · 2026-07-27T11:56:21-0700

Mavster Mechanic said:
Of course the magnet will only pick out iron and mild steel.

Are any of the transmission parts non-ferrous or not magnetic?

I'm betting no titanium!

mwelby · 2026-07-27T12:08:06-0700

Mavster Mechanic said:
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"

Nah, never too soon. Won’t hurt it - it’s good practice - You’ll never know if it’s under filled otherwise.

why they didn’t at least put one of the micro-dipsticks on the bottom side of the transmission like some other vehicles I’ll never understand!

Mavster Mechanic · 2026-07-27T12:26:02-0700

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.

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles 1785180322299-bu

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_9064

Chops · 2026-07-27T12:56:53-0700

Mavster Mechanic said:
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"

Great write up and good preventative maintenance! Your irreplaceable filter appreciates it for sure. Remember, the oil you drained flowed through your filter many many times. That one metal speck you found is “fresh” and would have been picked up by the filter during next flow through.

Your filter has specks in it for sure

Ford Maverick Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles IMG_0516

ikcelaks · 2026-07-27T13:08:21-0700

The only concern I have with the transmission fluid is the factory fill level. Did you do fluid level check / top-off prior to this drain and fill?

My transmission fluid temps rarely reach 150 degrees as reported by ODBII, so I can't imagine that the fluid is breaking down in the slightest.

mwelby · 2026-07-27T13:20:00-0700

ikcelaks said:
The only concern I have with the transmission fluid is the factory fill level. Did you do fluid level check / top-off prior to this drain and fill?

My transmission fluid temps rarely reach 150 degrees as reported by ODBII, so I can't imagine that the fluid is breaking down in the slightest.

In my case, I drained and 4 quarts came out. (Used 5 quart measuring cup) I poured 4 quarts and maybe an extra ounce or two back into it. Then I drove it for several miles until the transmission temperature on my scan gauge 3 came up to about 187°. Came back, removed the front left tire and re-leveled the car. Removed the leveling plug while idling in park and nothing came out, so obviously low. Began slowly adding more fluid. It took just over half a quart before dribble began. Plugged it back up.

Chops · 2026-07-27T13:20:51-0700

Mavster Mechanic said:
I put 3 oz into a sample bottle for Blackstone Lab but now I think I won't spend the money on it.

Oh c’mon - send it in. Your $50 is worth it to us forum members to learn how many harmless microscopic wear metals are in eCVT fluid. Aluminum? Iron?

Mavster Mechanic · 2026-07-27T13:23:04-0700

I took out ~4.2 quarts.
I put in 4.0 quarts then drove around the block with engine on.
I put in ~0.7 quarts more.

Shocking Hybrid Transmission Fluid Change at 65k miles

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