Have a 2016 FX4 3.5 Ecoboost with 6 speed transmission that's now at 85,000 miles. When brand new I towed a travel trailer weighing about 7,000 lbs from Texas to Florida to Utah to the Colorado Mountains. Out of the 85,000 miles, 10,000 miles are towing miles. All when it was towards being new. Since I have a 100,000 mile Premium Care warranty I figured I would get the transmission service at 90,000 miles, just in case something happen after the transmission is serviced, I have a 10,000 mile buffer.

I am going to probably have the Ford Dealer service it out of convenience, even thought it costs more than a Repair shop. Trying to determine if I should just 1. drop the pan and change the filter or 2. drop the pan change the filter then have it flushed or just have it flushed. Any recommendations.

Thanks

Greg

 

If it were me I'd just do the pan drop and filter change.

 

You took about 500 miles off what will probably be a 250,000 mile life, for towing so early.

Seriously, whatever works for you is best. My previous vehicle was a 2003 Escape that got it's only trans fluid change when we bought it at @ 30k. Wife drove it to about 100k. l drove it after, not ignorantly hard, but not easy either. Full throttle through three gears a few times a week, two dads and two scouts with a 3500lb trailer for many summer camps, bikes on the roof for out of state mountain biking a handful of times each year. 2000lb of gravel or lumber or firewood in the trailer at least once a month, several trips from Ky into the Rockies, the four of us, two bikes and a huge bin on the roof, a full size cargo tray loaded to the rear window. Gave up the ghost at 250k.

Unless you are operating under severe duty conditions, doing a flush now is just a little past halfway to Ford's recommended flush schedule.

 

I'm never a fan of flushing, always drain, replace filter, fill.

 

I have heard of too many horror stories from improperly performed flushes to ever consider doing one. Drop the pan, change the filter, and refill. If you are concerned about changing out more of the fluid, do another pan drop and refill in 6 months.

 

Best thing to do is just drop the pan, clean everything real good, change the filter and refill with the correct fluid. I don’t believe you can flush this trans either without keeping the new fluid at something like 180 degrees or so anyway due to the thermostat.

 

There is a very well thought of and respected member on the Ford Raptor forum, my guess he works for Ford that posted a document from Ford that said only do a flush if you are replacing parts, other wise it may flush material that was held place into place that won't be good. That's in my words.