Transfer case oil change interval
09-07-2023, 04:35 PM
#21
Captain of Industry
CAFE has a huge role in car manufacturers recommending “ lifetime fluid “ and water thin oils. Toyota now recommends 0w8 in some of their cars.
anything with meshing gears such as a differential or transfer case shed their break in material as the gears develop a wear pattern in the first 10-15k miles. It’s always best to remove this fluid first, then a longer interval can be ran. Say 60k.
ever wonder why differential builders have you change the fluid several times while it breaks in? But magically ford says it’s not necessary.
I’ve seen plenty of automatic transmissions opened up that have failed for various reasons and you can easily tell the ones that have never had the fluid changed. There is varnish in the valve body and typically solenoids stick causing shifting issues.
BMW says no change needed in their cars that have the ZF automatic. ZF recommends changes every 60k and they build the transmissions. Who would you believe?
Last edited by Taggart; 09-07-2023 at 04:38 PM.
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kenv47 (09-07-2023)
09-07-2023, 04:51 PM
#22
Captain of Industry
My transfer case and rear diff was significantly low from the factory…guess ford wasted all their cash flow on these engineers that are descendants of gods and forgot to pay the line workers.
if you are going to religiously follow the owners manual, at least check your fluids before you let them sit 20-30 percent low for 150,000 miles.
if you are going to religiously follow the owners manual, at least check your fluids before you let them sit 20-30 percent low for 150,000 miles.
09-07-2023, 04:52 PM
#23
Let me guess…. The “ lifetime fluid” in the ford PTU? Have you ever seen one of those opened up that failed? The fluid is cooked and resembles tar. For years they recommended no interval and most of them didn’t even have a drain plug.
Ever watch any of the Fordtechmakuloco and FordBossMe mechanics and see what they say about extended intervals? Experienced mechanics who worked in dealerships for years strictly recommend against the manufacturer recommendations.
Ever watch any of the Fordtechmakuloco and FordBossMe mechanics and see what they say about extended intervals? Experienced mechanics who worked in dealerships for years strictly recommend against the manufacturer recommendations.
09-07-2023, 05:00 PM
#24
are you saying the capacities in the manual are different then what is supposed to be put in when assembled?
the rear axle holds 2.6L according to the manual, I pulled out 2 L and let it drain a solid 2 hours while I went and picked up fluid (maybe a little less, I didn’t fact check what I documented). No evidence of leak. Changed at 28k, so either I had a leak that wasn’t leaving residue (good thing I changed it early) or the factory didn’t put the correct amount in. .6 L in a system that holds 2.6 is a decent amount.
similar results in my transfer case.
rear in my 2017 was full when I changed it at 30k.
09-07-2023, 05:26 PM
#27
I measure the amount I took out and the amount the manual states should be put back in.
are you saying the capacities in the manual are different then what is supposed to be put in when assembled?
the rear axle holds 2.6L according to the manual, I pulled out 2 L and let it drain a solid 2 hours while I went and picked up fluid (maybe a little less, I didn’t fact check what I documented). No evidence of leak. Changed at 28k, so either I had a leak that wasn’t leaving residue (good thing I changed it early) or the factory didn’t put the correct amount in. .6 L in a system that holds 2.6 is a decent amount.
similar results in my transfer case.
rear in my 2017 was full when I changed it at 30k.
are you saying the capacities in the manual are different then what is supposed to be put in when assembled?
the rear axle holds 2.6L according to the manual, I pulled out 2 L and let it drain a solid 2 hours while I went and picked up fluid (maybe a little less, I didn’t fact check what I documented). No evidence of leak. Changed at 28k, so either I had a leak that wasn’t leaving residue (good thing I changed it early) or the factory didn’t put the correct amount in. .6 L in a system that holds 2.6 is a decent amount.
similar results in my transfer case.
rear in my 2017 was full when I changed it at 30k.
A lot of F150s are low in the rear differential and transfer case from the plant where they are assembled. I’ve read that they are filled by weight, not volume and there obviously seems to be some variance as some are low and some aren’t. My 2019 was that way. I checked it and needed about 16 oz to get it just below the fill hole. The transfer case was similarly low.
the spec in the service manual is something like 1/4” below the fill hole.
09-07-2023, 05:35 PM
#28
A lot of F150s are low in the rear differential and transfer case from the plant where they are assembled. I’ve read that they are filled by weight, not volume and there obviously seems to be some variance as some are low and some aren’t. My 2019 was that way. I checked it and needed about 16 oz to get it just below the fill hole. The transfer case was similarly low.
the spec in the service manual is something like 1/4” below the fill hole.
the spec in the service manual is something like 1/4” below the fill hole.
all the more reason to check fluids early like I suggested. No harm in checking.
I’ll just wait for someone to chime in and say 26% is acceptable.
Last edited by WVMoose; 09-07-2023 at 05:43 PM.
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Taggart (09-07-2023)
09-07-2023, 05:39 PM
#29
100% agree. For the 15 mins it takes to pull a fill plug, stick your pinky in and feel for fluid, and top off if necessary… no harm in that
well documented that the 10r80’s in mustangs left the assembly plant low on trans fluid. My truck trans fluid was right on the money.
Last edited by Slowcar281; 09-07-2023 at 05:43 PM.