FerdinandF150

I just called to ask about a transmission flush; ideally I'd rather them just drop the pan and change the filter and then top it off, but when I called they said they don't change the filter and just use the machine to "suck out what's in there and it replaces what it takes out."

Am I asking too much by wanting the filter changed?

FerdinandF150

I found 1 shop that says they change the filter, but they use Dexron 5 in bulk...

Everything I've read says to use Mercon LV.

Dirttracker18

I would not do a flush without changing the filter. No I dont think you are asking too much but I would call around for pricing from other places. For the same as dealer price you might get it all done.

As noted above, check what fluid they use. There is no need to use bulk as many machines have a feed in anyway.

FerdinandF150

Thanks for the input. I don't get why they sell a filter if the filter doesn't get changed, but too each their own. I'm learning that while these newer fords are "smarter" than my F100, they seem relatively similar in certain aspects.

RLXXI

From the Ford shop manual.
.

FerdinandF150

I think the manual is a good guide for things, but I've seen trans fluid at 60k and it's not pretty. By removing the pan it's a good way to see if anything is going on internally; major shavings on the magnet etc.
I'm not a big fan of the flush, but introducing new fluids some 6 quarts at a time over a span of 6 months seems okay to me.
I could be very wrong, but I'll upload photos of the fluid regardless.

RLXXI

That's not an owners manual, it's the manual Ford gives dealer techs. I've seen trannies go well over 100k miles without servicing and still pull just fine. My 04 Explorer I traded in on my truck had almost 100,000 and that trans had never been touched, it has the same filled for life rating.

Advances in metallurgy and chemical composition are far more advanced than just 20 years ago.
.

FerdinandF150

It's a last ditch effort to see if it helps the surge shift, otherwise I'm getting in on the tuner group buy. d:

Okay, I may get in on that regardless.

RLXXI

I had an oddball surge shift on my truck when it was new, had to update the pcm's calibration to the latest level and that fixed it, if your truck don't have the latest calibration you should get it taken care of. Pretty sure you have to any way in order to get a programmer. Dealer or local shop with IDS can do it, I can do it as I have my own IDS.
.

FerdinandF150

Yeah, I think you're the one that looked up my trucks TSB's, there weren't any and I know there was one out on the PCM for shifting, but maybe just not my year? I don't know how that all works.

It's on my list of ideas, but they want $160 to do it which I can't understand why when it takes 10 minutes.