Long story short... I am about 210 miles from home and hoping to head that way tomorrow. Yesterday I noticed a couple of slips when just starting off from a stopped position in my truck. It felt like it was the transmission slipping (just from reading about it in the past, I've never felt it before in this or other vehicles). Other than that it seems to drive normal. I checked the transmission fluid today when it did it again and the fluid is a bit low but enough is in it. The fluid is a little bit browned, not pink, and has a slight burnt smell to it. The consistency of the fluid is fine, and I felt no debris. I checked it while the truck was running and the engine was plenty warm after driving it several miles.

My truck only has 98,000 miles on it and I am guessing I'm probably overdue on changing this fluid. I just had an oil change and other fluids topped off 2800 miles ago. I am the only owner, buying it new in February of '99. The only work it has ever needed in the past was a heater core replacement 3-years ago.

My question is this: Do you think it is OK to get it home, the 210 miles being 98% 65 MPH highway miles, essentially? I'd much rather my home mechanic give it the once over rather than taking it to someone I don't know. The problem just started yesterday. I need to be on the road by 8:00 AM to get back in time to take care of some family business.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

I would sure try to get it home. You might consider taking it in for a transmission service (filter and fluid exchange) before you head out since the burnt fluid has lost much of the chemical properties that allows your transmission to operate properly. If you don't do any further damage to it from overheating, you should be fine. By the way, is your engine running hot? and are your running a heavy load? If you haven't had a cooling system flush since owning your truck, this also might be causing you problems with the transmission and will also result in premature wear of the engine. It is a real good time to catch up on all of your scheduled maintenance to avoid any further damage. For a list of recommended maintenance go the web side https://owner.ford.com

 

Thanks, Frank! The engine is not running hot and all else seems to be fine. I'm not hauling anything but myself and a week of laundry. I am thinking it should be fine. I'll ask the mechanic about your recommendation when I get her home. Thanks, again!