[masakari]

First post!
I'm going to start by saying that im a complete newbie to cars. I'm a gun guy, not a car guy, though I am trying to learn.
Anyways, on to the issue: I have a 2007 Ford Mustang GT 4.6L V8. I got it a few months ago, at about 50K, and it now has 54K on it. The car was seemingly well taken care of, but you never really know what a previous owner has or hasn't done. So since I have had it, I have been taking very good care of it, and I was wondering, should I get the transmission fluid changed? Im having no issues with it at all, but I don't know the intervals for this, nor do I know if the previous owner ever did it.
please let me know any information that I might find helpful. Thanks!

 

[Subpath]

50-60k is the usual for a trans filter/fluid swap. Better safe than sorry if you plan on keeping it for a long time. I think recommended is 30-40k?

 

[ClubGitmo]

There are generally two schools of thought with this. Some claim that transmission services are too expensive to be worth it, and never change the fluid. The logic being that transmission services in the long run being more costly than a transmission rebuild. This is generally an old school line of thought based on cheap slush box rebuilds.

These days, IMO, proper care should be given as the sub $800 transmission rebuild days are over. That being said, I don't believe the transmission 'flushes' are... ever... necessary either. These days they cost north of $100, and that doesn't even include a filter change :yakyak:

IMO, the best transmission service for your dollar would be to drop the pan, drain the convertor, and pop a transmission cooler line. This will cost under $50 (fluid+filter) and get most of the transmission fluid out.

I believe ford says every 30k miles? Should be in your owners manual.

 

[masakari]

There are generally two schools of thought with this. Some claim that transmission services are too expensive to be worth it, and never change the fluid. The logic being that transmission services in the long run being more costly than a transmission rebuild. This is generally an old school line of thought based on cheap slush box rebuilds.

These days, IMO, proper care should be given as the sub $800 transmission rebuild days are over. That being said, I don't believe the transmission 'flushes' are... ever... necessary either. These days they cost north of $100, and that doesn't even include a filter change :yakyak:

IMO, the best transmission service for your dollar would be to drop the pan, drain the convertor, and pop a transmission cooler line. This will cost under $50 (fluid+filter) and get most of the transmission fluid out.

I believe ford says every 30k miles? Should be in your owners manual.

Yeah they quoted me over $200 for a flush at the dealership the other day... sounds a bit high for me. Now as far as the service you recommended... I don't even know what that would entail haha, like I said I don't really know anything about cars.
BTW in September im planning on driving accross the country from AZ back home to PA. Do y'all think that I should take care of the transmission before or after the trip, if at all?
oh, and I also forgot... its a AUTOMATIC transmission.

 

[ClubGitmo]

If you can disassemble an automatic firearm, you can tackle this. Just need a basic wrench set and either rtv sealent or a pan Gasket from Ford. A haynes manual should explain everything.

 

[masakari]

If you can disassemble an automatic firearm, you can tackle this. Just need a basic wrench set and either rtv sealent or a pan Gasket from Ford. A haynes manual should explain everything.

Firearms are a piece of cake!
but ok, ill look into it after my 2600 mile trip back home in September. Thanks for the advice.

 

[mustang78248]

I have a Ford 4R70W automatic in my Expedition, and I think the suggested service intervals are probably the same as the Mustang automatic. I had a Ford dealer flush the transmission the first three times at about 35-40k intervals. They said it back flushes the filter/screen and there is no need to change the filter. The last time I decided it was time to change the filter, so I dropped the pan and changed it myself. The pan was generally quite clean, and the filter & fluid change was simple.

I've always had an auxiliary trans cooler on this truck, and the transmission is now at 160k miles without any type of failure. I think that dropping the pan and changing the filter seems better for most of us because it feels like you are doing something more effective. However, Ford seems to feel a reverse flush works just as well.

Bruce

 

[Subpath]

Dang 200.....I get mine done at aamco full all out drain and refill for 110. Filter and fluid change about 70. However after seeing how the just pop the cooling lines and drain and fill that way..well I can do that for 30 myself.

 

[graz]

IMO flush is worth it,if you do it right! i used to train,sell, and demo the flush machines,rti tech,motorvac,ect... the best tranny flush you will get is if they use the "drain pan" / "cooler mode" functions.
that will drop the level in the pan to about 1 qt,they change the filter,clean pan out well, then replace and do 12 / 16 qt flush.
you also have to consider why $ is so high.
product cost,hourly rate [just so you know it takes like 15 minutes to do!] the parts dept,and service dept has to make there cut also,oh yeah if the product is "spiffed!" the flush product may cost parts dept $12.50 a kit,then add on what ever dollar amount that will be given to parts,service,service manager for incentive program to sell the service. i used to have to pay out techs,parts,service on valvoline services.valvoline has a sticker on the product [called "sticker dollar] valvoline would back the buck as a credit on future orders,but i have seen my ex-boss give up to 5 bucks per sticker,do the math, 1 flush a day,30 days $150.00 bucks in cash to the tech,plus any side deals that are made.
why do you think dealers are so pushy to up-sell flushes,MONEY in there pocket. every dealer i ever sold and worked with,with flush programs,they were all making great side money as long as the sold the stuff!
alot of times the machines would break down and the product dumped in there oil drains,or used on there own cars later,and never performed on the customer cars! i have seen it all!

 

[graz]

also,use whom ever you want,i dont say use this product because i make money,or work for them either!
use places that flush with VALVOLINE products! trust me!
if you hear of places like BG,JUSTICE BROTHERS,anybody else you never heard of [plenty wannabees],flush at your own risk! Valvoline is a public traded company,they have incredible warranties,they spend millions and millions on R+D and will stand behind them,save your bills[file them] i have seen them replace at no charge to the customer,engines,trannies,power steer pumps,ect... its rare that there product is the cause of the breakage,but they will investigate and cover your repairs [they dont just point the finger at the consumer,like other brands!] again i have seen it all done.alot of times it could be tech errors,overdue services that cause the failures.
you can go on valvoline and enter in the services you had done,keep on file and you will not regret down the road,they even send out reminders,gift cards on services,ect...
again we all know valvoline,and i will say 200% there product is the best out there,HANDS DOWN!
all the above works as long as you take good care of your car,and can keep good files on what has been done using valvoline products.
again i make no money from this,just my professional opinion,thats it :bigthumbsup

 

[xXerickcg92xX]

im going to change my transmission oil also and goign to use royal purple.

 

[BKid]

I change the filter and drop the pan ;then flush every 30,000 . That is just me though. I use Ford Motocraft what about it?

 

[xXerickcg92xX]

im going to change my tran oil to royal purple but when do you really feel that you need to change it. for now im changing spark plugs and motor oil

 

[sqidd]

Don’t know when its “needed” but I have driven two cars lately that just switched over to the Amsoil ATF and they shift GREAT!

 

[IWantBoost]

I just bought my 07 GT used a month ago. It had 21000 miles on it and I replaced the transmission oil myself with royal purple synchromax (I have a manual). It was definitely worth it as the old fluid was making it extremely difficult to shift into reverse. Now the shifts are MUCH smoother. I highly recommend that you change yours to royal purple. If for no other reason than just peace of mind.