my 2014 4x4 150 30,000 miles will soon need a transmission service. the dealer tells me they hook the transmission to a flushing machine. Is this ok? or should the transmission fluid and filter be changed

 

Transmissions on these trucks are a "lifetime service". No need to change the fluid under normal conditions for the life of the transmission.

I believe under sever duty it calls for a fluid change around 150k miles.

I should add that I will change my fluid at 100k regardless.

 

Ignore dealer, READ YOUR MANUAL.

 

I had my filter and fluid changed at 88.000 km's by an independent transmission shop. They charged me 150.00 which I thought was reasonable considering there is no fill tube just a stubby dip stick! Note: this is not a complete fill. Only about 8 liters.

I don't believe that a flushing machine gets the fluid hot enough to open the thermal valve to actually flush the transmission. They are only doing the rad cooler and external cooler(if equipped). there are several posts about this. Thermal valve opens at around 190*F.

 

I had my system flushed and then the pan dropped and filter changed. My service advisor told me they drive the truck before to get the temps of the transmission up to operating temperature so they can get all of the fluid out. It costs a total of $300. I did this at 80,000 miles. I figured for $300 once every 6-8 years it is worth it.

I bought it used and have no clue what the owner before me did with the trucks so it was a piece of mind type of thing. I also tow around 3000-4000 lbs up steep grades quite regularly.

Edit* I would have did it myself but HATE transmission fluid...that stuff is a PITA to clean off of anything including skin! It is super easy to drop the pan though and replace the filter and that fluid.

 

I would follow FordTechMaculoco and drop the pan and change the filter at 60k miles. I say this and have yet to do it and I am sitting at 100k miles but it's on my list.

 

I dropped my pan, swapped out the filter, and bolted it back up. Took about 8 quarts with engine running to fill her back up. $100 total and great peace of mind.

If you really want to get fancy do what I did but also add a drain plug to your pan before you reinstall it. Then you can drain and refill from that point on. The filter will likely be OK for the remainder of the life of the trans. at that point anyway.

 

Do you have a picture of where you installed the drain plug? Thanks in advance.

 

Drain plug is a good idea, but checking the magnet inside for anything concerning (large amounts of metal shavings) is a major perk to dropping the pan.