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Have 110,000 miles, was thinking about changing the filter and the fluid myself. Seen some videos, looks fairly straight forward other than the refill 🤪. Has anyone done their own and roughly how easy was it ?
I did change the plugs, coils and air filter at 100k
Dropping the pan is straightforward and easy for the mechanically inclined. Reuse of original gasket should be fine. Dropped my pan three times and am still using the original gasket. A transfer pump and a large pan really help. Long handled needle nose pliers used to manipulate the dipstick can keep hands away from hot cat when topping off. 10 gallon medium mixing tray from HomeDepot, pump from Harbor Freight.
2011 XLT Screw 4x4 3.5L 3:55LS
Last edited by Barry_Vee; Jun 19, 2023 at 03:08 PM.
As Barry-Vee had mentioned in Post #4, the dipstick is in a tight spot, and it's hot!!! I used a clear tube with a metal shield around it to service it to the full mark.
The pan is straight forward, and also reused the gasket. Check your manual for the correct fluid.
I did my 2012 at 100k miles myself. Nothing hard or unusual, reused pan gasket, installed new pan with plug, add 4-5 qts of fluid through long tube and funnel from wheel well, then crank and add more fluid to proper level. Drive to operating temps and recheck fluid level.
mine took approx 8qts total, I had bought a case of 12 qts.
Thanks for the info and hints, I’ll get the tub and pump 👍
Originally Posted by jhanna
installed new pan with plug, add 4-5 qts of fluid through long tube and funnel from wheel well, then crank and add more fluid to proper level. Drive to operating temps and recheck fluid level.
mine took approx 8qts total, I had bought a case of 12 qts.
I saw there were new pan options ranging from $50 to $400 for a new pan with a plug. Sure makes it easier to change the fluid, but a new pan has me thinking if the first drain/filter change was 100k miles , is draining more often going to make a big difference 🤔
but a new pan has me thinking if the first drain/filter change was 100k miles , is draining more often going to make a big difference 🤔
Thanks again for the tips !
My thinking, our trucks start with 100% new fluid, so that first 100k miles was on new fluid, at least to start with. A standard trans service, not considering a flush, only changes a portion of the fluid, so all future miles are not on new fluid.
So, if you think you got 100k miles to the first service, the second 100k miles starts out in the hole with only partial new fluid.
my plan to do a drain/fill every 25k miles from this point forward.
My thinking, our trucks start with 100% new fluid, so that first 100k miles was on new fluid, at least to start with. A standard trans service, not considering a flush, only changes a portion of the fluid, so all future miles are not on new fluid.
So, if you think you got 100k miles to the first service, the second 100k miles starts out in the hole with only partial new fluid.
my plan to do a drain/fill every 25k miles from this point forward.
yes your right BUT with that said when you pull that tranny fluid you'll see it isn't bad in color or smell unless you tow everyday and if you did 60-70k it should have been done. so if you are a normal driver or tow here and there at 100k and you change let's say for argument sake 1/2ish your good to go....and if you feel that wasn't enough get another 50k and do it again....i really think people get very hung up on "changing oils" my 01 5.4l f150...208k never did any of that...started towing figured i'd do few things. Well made me feel better in my little brain but rear end fluid looked great, tranny fluid AT 208K looked pretty red still. Truck was just normally driver truck, few towings here and there nothing steady just trailering dirt, yard work stuff never did a thing till then.....
NOW not saying you shouldn't but let's not over think "oh we only changed half the oil". some people waste money on worse things lol
yes your right BUT with that said when you pull that tranny fluid you'll see it isn't bad in color or smell unless you tow everyday and if you did 60-70k it should have been done
I thought I saw in the manual change transmission fluid and filter at 100k, but when I key in my vin on the Ford site it say first change is 150k. Guess I have time, but prob one of those that do early or more frequent. Guess I have some time