Let the debate start. I have a 2012 with over 151k on it. I bought the truck at 116k and I never change the transmission fluid. Should I change the fluid now or just keep it? Not talking about flushing just changing what’s in the pan. I’ve heard people talk about “don’t change the fluid once you pass 150k” but that usually on older vehicles. Just really conflicted about it. Any input will help

 

Not sure where you heard don't change...

So, couple of things here, first, yes, difference between draining and flushing, i'm not sure i would recommend a flush.

Maintenance interval for changing the trans fluid on this truck is 150k miles, per Ford. That's too long, lots of info backing that up.

TLDR, change the fluid, drop the pan and change the filter too.

 

Yea, the debates aren’t over if you should change fluid. There is no fluid in a vehicle that should not be replaced (no matter how old). Especially if you plan on keeping it for long haul.
The debate is flush vs pan drops.

 

If you take it to several transmission shops you'll find about 1/2 of them will tell you they won't change it, A reputable shop will refuse to do it. One that just wants to take your money will. If the truck has been used for a lot of towing and the fluid has gotten too hot then it should have been replaced much sooner. If the fluid has been compromised the transmission is also damaged and it is just a matter of time before it needs to be rebuilt. Keeping the old fluid in there will buy you some time before that needs to be done.

If the transmission is not already damaged changing it won't hurt a thing. But if it has already been damaged changing the fluid usually results in failure fairly soon thereafter. That is why a reputable shop won't touch it. They don't want customers coming back 2 weeks after a fluid change claiming that the shop did something to damage it.

I'm in the drive it till it breaks camp. Transmissions die when they die. Changing the fluids regularly doesn't seem to extend their life unless the fluid gets too hot. And if you let it get too hot it needs to be changed NOW, not at some set number of miles. I've known people who changed their fluid religiously every 50,000 miles and still had to have the transmission rebuilt at 150,000 miles. Others still going strong with the factory fluid at 400,000 miles.

 

Reputable shops will refuse to do fluid changes, pure nonsense as well as most of the entire post.

 

Personal story that kind of applies to topic.

This was on an old 80’s Mustang, I took it to one shop, “Mr Transmission” years ago, they refused to change the transmission fluid due to no records of it ever being serviced. (High mileage)

Something about new fluid washing varnish pieces off and clogging valve body. I had to have transmission rebuilt later that year, so fluid change would not have helped, and I would have blamed Mr Transmission shop.

May not apply to today’s better transmission fluids, OP should stop and talk to any well know shop in his area.

 

It is worth noting that the tech in the 6R80 and others of it's type, is quite different to how they used to be built/operate - lots of solenoids and electronics doing the work instead - keeping the suspended wear particles away from the sensitive electronics using the oil is needed. That Ford added an additional magnet in later years cements the fact that you should be changing the oil more often than they say to keep that build up out of the other parts.

 

No reason not to do a pan drop, and do it a few times. If you are having transmission issues don't expect fluid to fix it but fresh fluid cant CAUSE the problems.

I have been running MaxLife in my 2011 6r80 for a little while and its doing well. Maxlife ATF has worked well in many applications for me (that its rated for).

 

I’d do a drain and refill at least.

however my 02 ranger I doubt ever had the transmission serviced. I got it 100k miles and drove it to 288k miles. The fluid was black and smelled burnt. Shifted fine every time but I may have been the exception.

 

I thought the smell of the Max Life would never leave my garage...