Transmission Fluid Change / Flush Frequency and Cost...

[CEB_CLT_Navi_2020]

I have 65k on my 2020 Navi, not sure if the transmission fluid was changed in the past as it's CPO and the dealer did not change it as part of the resale.

I wondered what the groups experience, costs and advice re; transmission fluid change is? I am inclined to do it at the dealer because the process is fairly complex and want to make sure they won't decline warranty service later if they don't do it.

Leaving on a longer trip in February so will likely change it before then.

Thanks so much...

 

[HiTechRedneck]

Better get a price beforehand as you may go into shock! Dealer here wanted about $700 to change fluid and filter. Old school wisdom from the transmission guys I know say if it hasn't been changed by 50K then leave it alone, but you have to give credence to possible warranty issues as you said. My 20 BL is at 53K and I probably will not change it. Being a mechanic since I was a kid (Dad owned a machine shop) the process to change it is relatively simple but they made it harder when they eliminated the drain plug in the torque converter. If you only change the fluid in the pan you still have several quarts of old fluid in the converter. Since yours is a 20 also I will tell you that I definitely would change the thermostat to the new style which dropped my transmission temps about 15 - 20 degrees. Overheating the trans fluid is what kills transmissions.

 

[dlcorbett]

I was just quoted $1k($983) at the dealer where my truck is currently.

Edit: they clearly didn't want me to request an atf change.

 

[HiTechRedneck]

Definitely change that thermostat - it has been mentioned here many times. Keeping that trans fluid cooler will definitely help as trans fluid does not like temps over about 210. Mine rarely goes over 200 degrees now, however I do have the heavy duty towing package. MUCH cheaper than changing trans fluid which appears to be a big dealer scam - and my cousins own the dealership!!!!!

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[LincolnJoey]

... MUCH cheaper than changing trans fluid which appears to be a big dealer scam...

What makes a transmission fluid change worthy of $1000?

 

[dlcorbett]

What makes a transmission fluid change worthy of $1000?

Apparently dropping the oil drip pan.

 

[CEB_CLT_Navi_2020]

What makes a transmission fluid change worthy of $1000?

If you watch THIS you can see it's not that easy. I wouldn't want to do it with out a lift, but $1K???

 

[HiTechRedneck]

If you watch THIS you can see it's not that easy. I wouldn't want to do it with out a lift, but $1K???

MIght be interesting to see how much somebody like Quicklube would charge

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[CEB_CLT_Navi_2020]

MIght be interesting to see how much somebody like Quicklube would charge

Took a taurus to Jiffy Lube in the early 90's, got home and saw some dripping. Climbed under the car and the pan bolts were just finger tight! Never Again! But YMMV...

 

[LincolnJoey]

If you watch THIS you can see it's not that easy. I wouldn't want to do it with out a lift, but $1K???

Thank you for the link.

Wow, that does look like a lot of labor to swap out the filter and fluid!

Not exactly designed with service in mind!

 

[Action]

Most of the transmissions are designed NOT for servicing.
Short sighted in my opinion.
And that is a marketing point for lower maintenance costs.

The transmission fluid of today lasts a lot longer than 36,000 miles like the days of past.
However, I would prefer to change the fluid (and filter if possible) on a regular basis.
The no servicing might work on a car. A truck or car that does towing should not be treated that way.
Transmission fluid goes bad because of heat. Towing or big loads increase the amount of times the fluid is exposed to high heat.
Those high heat cycles are cumulative. After so many high heat cycles the fluid no longer has the ability to lubricate as it was when it was new.

Action

 

[LincolnJoey]

Most of the transmissions are designed NOT for servicing.
Short sighted in my opinion.
And that is a marketing point for lower maintenance costs.

The transmission fluid of today lasts a lot longer than 36,000 miles like the days of past.
However, I would prefer to change the fluid (and filter if possible) on a regular basis.
The no servicing might work on a car. A truck or car that does towing should not be treated that way.
Transmission fluid goes bad because of heat. Towing or big loads increase the amount of times the fluid is exposed to high heat.
Those high heat cycles are cumulative. After so many high heat cycles the fluid no longer has the ability to lubricate as it was when it was new.

Action

Agree on all your points.

The Navigator has the tow package...but it will not see much towing. We have a F450 that will do most of the towing...I'll have to see how tough changing that transmission fluid and filter will be.

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[Mark-P]

After watching the video. It does seem do able.

 

[walterk15]

Doing the transmission fluid change with filter is easy. Collect the fluid in a large clear under the bed storage device from Walmart. Full in a couple of empty and cleaned milk jugs or what ever and add that amount of fluid back to your system. You should be spot on. If you only plan on keeping the vehicle for a short period of time. That would be the plan. Change fluid and filter every 40K. This is the most feasible way. If you plan on keeping your vehicle until the wheels fall off it. There are other ways to make the system last for a very very long time ie…. ( removal of belly pan to increase airflow and cooling, new after market pan, removal of passive/active OEM transmission cooler ). It boils down to time, money and far are you willing to go to ensure the longevity of the vehicle. Most people only keep their vehicles until the factory warranty wears out.

There a few threads on modding the oil filter relocation and transmission cooling/modifications.

 

[Mark-P]

The dealer i bought mine from offers lifetime engine and powertrain warranty for original owner.

Little did they know I rarely sell a car.

 

[CEB_CLT_Navi_2020]

Doing the transmission fluid change with filter is easy. Collect the fluid in a large clear under the bed storage device from Walmart. Full in a couple of empty and cleaned milk jugs or what ever and add that amount of fluid back to your system. You should be spot on. If you only plan on keeping the vehicle for a short period of time. That would be the plan. Change fluid and filter every 40K. This is the most feasible way. If you plan on keeping your vehicle until the wheels fall off it. There are other ways to make the system last for a very very long time ie…. ( removal of belly pan to increase airflow and cooling, new after market pan, removal of passive/active OEM transmission cooler ). It boils down to time, money and far are you willing to go to ensure the longevity of the vehicle. Most people only keep their vehicles until the factory warranty wears out.

There a few threads on modding the oil filter relocation and transmission cooling/modifications.

Storage container idea is a great one!

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[Cold_one]

I’ve been reading a few of these threads re. Transmission oil and since my 18 was also a CPO, bought with 54000 kms in Feb 2021, I thought I should get the transmission serviced.

so yesterday, with 65,000 kms (~40miles) it went in for annual engine oil/filter and I had them service the transmission as well. Unfortunately a miscommunication as they didn’t change the transmission filter. (or probably flushed it) Regardless the total bill wasn’t too bad…$231 for labour and $125 for 12 qt (Litres?) of transmission oil. I don’t know what a transmission filter cost is or how much longer the job would be. These are in CDN$.

as you can see it doesn’t get a lot of miles/year, nor does it pull anything, nevertheless in the spring I’ll likely have the thermostat changed.

 

[LincolnJoey]

... they didn’t change the transmission filter. (or probably flushed it) Regardless the total bill wasn’t too bad...

You raise an interesting question. Years back when half the vehicle did not need to be dismantled to access the transmission filter, many fluid changes included a filter change. Heck, the toughest part was not splashing trans fluid all over the floor!

Now, with the significant labor to get to the filter, I wonder if fluid only just might make sense. And with the longer service life of today's fluids, has the service life of filters been improved accordingly? As someone posted in this thread, the trend has been towards extended service life.

 

[Action]

Not familiar with the transmission. Some transmissions the filter is not replaceable.
That data can be found on the web by searching by transmission type.

Action

 

[akras]

Not familiar with the transmission. Some transmissions the filter is not replaceable.
...

The filter is replaceable on this transmission. Knowledgeable people (video below) recommend replacing fluid after the first 30k, and then fluid plus filter every 60k. Notably, no word on flashing the transmission, so I guess that is not recommended.

Changing just the fluid is trivial with a cheap pump and doesn't require dropping the pan (one can remove/refill the fluid through the dipstick hole that is "conveniently" located underneath the truck). Granted, you won't replace all fluid this way, but it's much better than no service at all (and costs next to nothing). When I do filter replacement (with the associated dropping the pan), I will probably install an aftermarket aluminum pan with a drain plug.