Trans service in my F250

[_chris_]

OK I have an 06 F250 2wd with the V10 and I tow quite a bit, I have a 34 foot 5th wheel that is pretty heavy at 13,500 lbs. Now I have 54,000 miles on the truck and have not changed my tranny fluid but have been told several different things. The owners manual says change fluid and filters every 30,000, the dealership says change fluid at 50,000 and filters at 90,000, my parts guy says wait till 100,000 if no problems, my neighbor says lets get a case of beer and change the fluid Sunday. How often do you chage yours? I probaly tow about 1,500 miles a year and my only problem is that the parts and fluid are dealer only and it isn't cheap to do and I am towing the fifth wheel over a thousand miles next week.

 

[rbh]

Re: Trans service in my F250

If you do a lot of heavy hauling it is probably a good idea to change your fluid at intervals earlier than recommended, as well with a automatic tranny it may be worthwhile to invest in a large external cooler.
rob

 

[_chris_]

Re: Trans service in my F250

It came from the factory with a large external cooler with temp gauge and also an external second filter.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trans service in my F250

Ever have a blown transmission? Changing the fluid and filter(s) is cheap insurance. I change mine every 30-36K

What does your owners manual say about service interval for the transmission fluid, I'd follow that for warranty purposes. There should be 2 levels normal and severe conditions. I opt for the severe conditions since I tow often in hot temps.

 

[kawiski]

Re: Trans service in my F250

I tow quite a bit, I have a 34 foot 5th wheel that is pretty heavy at 13,500 lbs. Now I have 54,000 miles on the truck and have not changed my tranny fluid.

You are taking a risk. Change ASAP.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Trans service in my F250

V10 and I tow quite a bit, I have a 34 foot 5th wheel that is pretty heavy at 13,500 lbs.

I tow about the same weight with mine but its a 4wd. I do mine every 50,000 miles, fuild (that comes out) and the filter. I have 135,000 on mine and not had any issues yet, also nothing in the pan worth worrying about eather.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Trans service in my F250

If you do change your trans fluid make sure to change both filters. The one in the trans pan also one up in the right front corner in the cooler line.

 

[_chris_]

Re: Trans service in my F250

I am going to change the fluid and internal filter this weekend but wait on the external. The trans guy at my dealer ship said to not worry about the external filter and they also do not have it in stock. I have heard so many conflicting answers but I am also not one to push maintnence to far. I have been told buy dropping the pan and filter it will take 10 quarts of new fluid out of the 17 it holds. I assume the rest is in the torque converter. My plan for my next full service is at 90 thousand so I hope I am doing things ok.

 

[PolishPrince]

Re: Trans service in my F250

Take it somewhere to get the transmission "flushed" and the filters changed. I do mine every 35K-40K. In fact I had it done last week on my F150. Total tab with tax $125 and change. I've worked with Class 1 to Class 8 trucks for the past 30+ years. Two things will kill an automatic or even a manual. One is dirt, two is heat. Keep it cool, Keep it clean. Those filters were put there for a reason. Change 'em !

 

[jimr]

Re: Trans service in my F250

make sure to put the correct fluid in it also some where in the loop Ford switched to mercon "S" and of course the only place to get it right now is the stealership. I would recommend having it flushed. Towing falls under severe duty for maintenance

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Trans service in my F250

It tell you what fluid to use on top of the dip stick for the trans.

 

[_chris_]

Re: Trans service in my F250

It uses the new Mercon SP that is 6 bucks aquart at the dealership, I am gonna flush it before my trip so I should be good. $125 would be nice but the parts alone are just over $200 with the fluid, Gasket and two filters. The dealership will do the job for about $300. Thanks to my state raising taxes on registration the truck is $496 this year and it is also due now.

 

[relstabw]

Re: Trans service in my F250

I am going to change the fluid and internal filter this weekend but wait on the external. The trans guy at my dealer ship said to not worry about the external filter and they also do not have it in stock. I have heard so many conflicting answers but I am also not one to push maintnence to far. I have been told buy dropping the pan and filter it will take 10 quarts of new fluid out of the 17 it holds. I assume the rest is in the torque converter. My plan for my next full service is at 90 thousand so I hope I am doing things ok.

You are correct. The rest of the fluid is in the torque converter,lines,external coolers and filter. The cooler can trap metal and so can the vanes in the torque converter. The best advice is to have it flushed by a competant shop. Small metal particles can cause big problems especially with electronic valve bodies.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Trans service in my F250

there is a way you can flush it yourself with the full 17 quarts. It involves removing the return line from the transmission cooler, and using the transmission to pump out the 17 quarts while pouring in new fluid. might be some info online in a ford forum or something on it.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: Trans service in my F250

It tell you what fluid to use on top of the dip stick for the trans.

Make sure you use the right fluid. The wrong stuff will kill that Torqueshift within 1000 miles. Otherwise that trans. is bulletproof.

 

[_chris_]

Re: Trans service in my F250

Make sure you use the right fluid. The wrong stuff will kill that Torqueshift within 1000 miles. Otherwise that trans. is bulletproof.

deffinitely gonna use the Mercon SP but i hate that only the dealer is selling it, it's a rip off.