Took my 2011 Mustang into a transmission shop for it's fluid change. I've been using this automatic transmission shop for three years; they have done the flush work on my 2005 F150 auto transmission 3 different times. That truck transmission has 167K on it, and has never been rebuilt. I would have used my local Ford dealer, but they said the pan did not need to be dropped, nor the filter changed at this early mileage (I have just over 30K on it).

Anyhow, I don't want to start a "flush or no flush" thread debut. Having as much as the old fluid removed, along with a pan drop and filter change has always been my way of thinking to be done every 30k. I do some stop and go traffic in downtown Orlando daily. Ford says these automatics can go over the 100K mark without changing the fluid. I don't see how.

I did not have my cell phone handy, or I would have snapped a picture of the pan while it was off. While the fluid still had a nice orangey red look to it, the pan had some crud in it. Enough to make me glad I had as much fluid removed and replaced with fresh, and the filter changed.

God knows it's a big no no on this site to question the Ford engineers, but I don't see how they can say it's alright to leave automatic transmission fluid in the tranny for over 100K.

Those of you with automatics, you may want to consider changing the fluid more often than 100K.

 

I got 44k on my Eclipse and been thinking about doing a flush too. Can you let me know which shop you did and how much all of it cost if you don't mind? PM me if you don't wanna put it here.

 

I'm with you. Good job!

 

I completely agree, especially I f you drive it hard on the track or strip. I will do mine 25,000 as I have with all my performance based vehicles. It's a piece of mind for $120 and I'm sure your vehicle thanks you.

 

I used an AAMCO shop in my area (Sanford, on 17-92). Flush and pan drop/cleaning plus new filter added to the flush was $139.00 with a coupon (get off of the internet).

I've seen "specials" at other places, but since I've had great service and results with them with my truck, I've stayed with them.

For the record, my Ford dealer wanted $169.00 to flush, but that did not include the pan drop and filter replacement. It was only a flush.

 

OP, I agree with your comments. I wouldn't bother with the service if I was going to trade/sell the vehicle in a few years. But, if it is a keeper, in for the long haul, you bet I change it. I had the MT-82 TSB completed and plan to have the fluid changed again at 40,000 miles. It shifted so much better after the change, and I plan to keep the car, this is a small expense. I am like you, I don't see how any fluid, used under the extreme conditions of a transmission, can last 100,000 miles.

Just look at the IOL sensors telling us to change the oil, in the winter, sometimes at 3000 miles. The transmission is undergoing the same adverse weather conditions, extreme cold in winter and extreme heat in summer, so why wouldn't the fluid need to be changed on a regular basis. Just my .02.

 

Ford is not alone in recommending 100K or even lifetime automatic transmission fluid. Like others, I wouldn't go that long either. However, I never had the pan drop/filter change done on my '03 Mazda6, which I had before the Mustang. It was cruelly destroyed before its time at 125K miles, but the transmission worked flawlessly that whole time. I think I asked both the Mazda dealer and my independent mechanic about the pan drop/filter change and both recommended against it, and instead recommended the flush too. I wish I remembered the reasoning.

 

The next owner of my car can have the fluid changed.

 

My beater vehicle is 98 4runner 4x4 sr5 (which is actually in good shape) . It has NEVER had an auto fluid change / flush with 278,000 miles. It still has the factory ac charge. The starter did begin dragging at 260k so i replaced that, plugs/ wires at 200k. timing belt at 150. Mobil 1 ep every 10k and that's all . The rear hatch window quit rolling down a few months back; what a piece of junk lol. Toyota 4 life!

I'm still undecided on what to do with the Stang A6 in regards to this topic..13,700 as of now.

 

My faithful 2005 F150 has over 187K on it's 4.2 V6 engine/auto transmission. Bought it used with 42K. It got the "old school" maintenance treatment: oil changes every 5K with semi synthetic, 7500 mile oil changes if I use full synthetic. Spark plug changes at 60K intervals, and transmission flushes at 30K intervals under my ownership. I still have this truck, and it drives great, looks great, and has never let me down.

My 2011 Mustang gets the same treatment. It's also a keeper; bought it with 2K on its odometer, and I plan to run with it for a long time.

Most auto manufacturers do these over the wall recommendations if they are footing the bill for maintenance, not the case with Ford though. Maybe they just want you to buy again, so they recommend these long duration oil change schedules. My wife has always liked and drives the BMW's. Before they had "free maintenance", they always recommended engine oil changes at the 6K mark, and transmission oil changes at the 35K mark. Rear end at 50K. Now that they foot the bill, they have lifetime automatic transmission oil, and engine oil changes well above the 10K mark.

Interesting.

 

Interesting is right...

 

Cool thanks. I cant stand Courtesy Ford in Sanford. When I eventually get my mustang, it'll be from either Mullinax in Apopka or Sunstate in Orlando.

 

Don't rule out Don Reid in Maitland. That dealership has been around forever; low overhead. It used to be Johnny Bolten Ford back in the 70's. The owner had a P-38 Lightning that he flew on the weekends. It would scream over our house; an awsome thing to see flying. Then one weekend he crashed it, killing himself.
Their prices on parts are the cheapest around. Not sure about their vehicle prices though.

 

My supercharged '07 Mustang GT automatic got trans fluid changes regularly. Several times during the 28K miles that I owned it. I had a 4800 rpm stall converter and 4.10 gears, plus I drag raced it often, so I figured it deserved fresh fluid often. IMO, anyone who does any kind of spirited driving should consider 30K miles max between flushes.