Transmission Fluid Change / Flush Frequency and Cost...

[Grumpy Green]

just a note from a retired Ford Master Tech ......... make sure who ever does the service puts the correct fluid back .... trans fluid is not interchangeable ... have seen too many that put the incorrect fluid and it caused damage to the clutches

 

[Action]

I posted in wrong thread.

 

[Melman]

just a note from a retired Ford Master Tech ......... make sure who ever does the service puts the correct fluid back .... trans fluid is not interchangeable ... have seen too many that put the incorrect fluid and it caused damage to the clutches

This site does not have sub forums on maintenance or the different engines or transmissions, so I will ask you here although I don't have a Navigator. I have a Nautilus with the 8F57. Before that, I had a Ford Escape with 6F35 which was also very common in Lincoln vehicles. Those are both the newer transmissions that do not have a removable pan or filter. The manual says the fluid should be changed at 150K miles, and it is generally accepted that this is Ford's way of saying not to bother changing it during the life of the vehicle. But if you want the vehicle last longer, then common sense says that you MUST change it more often. The only other idea in the manual is for 30K miles in severe duty.

So based on your experience... what you have seen in changing the fluid at different intervals... what do YOU recommend? I am at 30K miles and getting ready to have the fluid changed (probably just a single partial drain and fill... which will only replace maybe 2/3 of the fluid). At 30K that seems reasonable to me, given the cost of the fluid nowadays.

 

[Action]

Melman, Let me correct you on the 6F35.

The 6F35 transmission is a joint venture between Ford and GM to make a 6 speed transmisison to fit an application of FWD and up to 300 hp.
It has a removeable pan, just not a traditional one on the bottom. Rather it is on the side.
It also has a replaceable filter that is readily available. There are two different ones based on model year.
The access isn't that easy. And nothing is so much.

The fluid used allows for much longer change intervals.

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[Melman]

I had a 2014 Escape and I know that the filter was not removable except by removing the transmission and opening the case.

 

[Action]

I had a 2014 Escape and I know that the filter was not removable except by removing the transmission and opening the case.

Likely did not have a 6F35.
The third gen Escape (2013 to 2019) had 3 different auto transmissions.
One was the 6F35.
I think the other two are twin clutch, six or seven speeds made by Getrag for Ford. Made with the Powershift or Selectshift names.

Action

 

[Action]

2009 to 2012 Ford Escape had a 6F35 or a variation of that.
6F50 or 6F55

By model year 2014 that transaxle was no longer used in Escape. You had something other than a 6F35/50/55

That transaxle was used in later Ford and Lincoln models. Just not Escape. Used after 2012 in these models:
Edge
Explorer
Flex
Focus
Fusion - My daughter's 2010 Fusion has this transaxle.
Taurus/Sable
Continental
MKS
MKX

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[Action]

This site does not have sub forums on maintenance or the different engines or transmissions, so I will ask you here although I don't have a Navigator. I have a Nautilus with the 8F57. Before that, I had a Ford Escape with 6F35 which was also very common in Lincoln vehicles. Those are both the newer transmissions that do not have a removable pan or filter. The manual says the fluid should be changed at 150K miles, and it is generally accepted that this is Ford's way of saying not to bother changing it during the life of the vehicle. But if you want the vehicle last longer, then common sense says that you MUST change it more often. The only other idea in the manual is for 30K miles in severe duty.

So based on your experience... what you have seen in changing the fluid at different intervals... what do YOU recommend? I am at 30K miles and getting ready to have the fluid changed (probably just a single partial drain and fill... which will only replace maybe 2/3 of the fluid). At 30K that seems reasonable to me, given the cost of the fluid nowadays.

Your question is directed at Grumpy Green. However I will take a stab at it.
If the schedule service in the owner's manual is 150,000, if it were me and had a 8F series transaxle. (8F35/40/57)
I would service somewhere in the 50,000 to 75,000 mile range. 1/3 to 1/2 of what is recommended.
Could it last to 150,000. LIKELY! However I just do not let my vehicles (transmissions) go that long. Everything that I own that is pre-2000, the transmission/transaxle gets serviced (fluid & filter) every 36,000 miles. I have two vehicles that are newer than that (I have 9 total, however only 3 are drivers) and they get the transmission/transaxle serviced in the 50,000 to 75,000 mile window.

The 8F series transaxle looks like the attached. (Which is out of a 2020 Escape found on eBay)
Very similar to the 6F in the pan is on the side facing the front of the vehicle.
And the filter is replaceable as well. (found on eBay)

I do my own work which is not as common as it once was. I am slow, much slower than I once was and I have found a thing called job creep. Typically the work expands to other things in the area of the job. And that may only be cleaning.)
If you are not doing the work, you might find a source that you trust.

Good luck.
Action

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[APL Rep]

Pretty sure the recommended interval is 100k miles

 

[Action]

Pretty sure the recommended interval is 100k miles

I am just using what Melman posted in #28.
I have no clue as to the recommended interval.

Action

 

[Melman]

This thread is probably confusing info for several vehicles and transmissions. Because as I said, there isn't a separate forum for maintenance or for transmissions. Sorry about the confusion.

Next time I see my old Escape, I'll look at the door sticker for the transmission code. The 2014 manual said 6F35 was the only transmission option. But I no longer own it.

My Nautilus with the 2.7 EB has 8F57. Maintenance on the fluid is 150K or 30K for "severe duty". I know the newer fluids are supposed to last longer but 150K, no way.

Here is a video on servicing the 8F35 which I believe is being used with the 2.0 EB engines. What he doesn't say is that it holds 11.6 quarts of Mercon ULV fluid, and his single drain/fill is only replacing 5 quarts or less than half the fluid.

And the 6F35 which I had, you can see that the process is the same. When I had my Escape serviced at about 50K miles, I believe the dealer used a flush machine to remove all the old Mercon LV fluid and replace it with all new, through the cooler lines which that vehicle had (in the towing package, which my Nautilus doesn't have).

 

[Action]

Next time I see my old Escape, I'll look at the door sticker for the transmission code. The 2014 manual said 6F35 was the only transmission option. But I no longer own it.

For model year 2014 Escape there are two transmission codes.

With no designation of transmission model based on door post data sticker.

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[Melman]

I don't know where you are that a manual was available. My 2014 Escape manual says this

 

[Action]

If it was a 6F35 it had a removeable pan and filter

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[Melman]

No, it didn't. Please watch the video for 6F35 that I posted above.

 

[Action]

That video shows how to drain and refill the transmission fluid.

As I stated in post #24, the "pan" is not on the bottom. Or you can call it a cover. I even posted a picture of both the transmission with the pan and the filter. Stating the "pan" is not on the bottom it is on the side of the transmission.

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[walterk15]

307-01B Automatic Transmission - 6-Speed Automatic Transmission – 6F35 General Procedures.


I have this Transmission in my 2019 Ford EcoSport. You are not getting the transmission filter out without out dropping the PTU/ Transmission and then disassembling the transmission to get to the filter. Ford wants straight fluid changes. I change all my fluids every 20K. Oil every 5K. I have the Non-Ecoboost Engine.

 

[Black Label]

This thread is probably confusing info for several vehicles and transmissions. Because as I said, there isn't a separate forum for maintenance or for transmissions. Sorry about the confusion.

Next time I see my old Escape, I'll look at the door sticker for the transmission code. The 2014 manual said 6F35 was the only transmission option. But I no longer own it.

My Nautilus with the 2.7 EB has 8F57. Maintenance on the fluid is 150K or 30K for "severe duty". I know the newer fluids are supposed to last longer but 150K, no way.

Here is a video on servicing the 8F35 which I believe is being used with the 2.0 EB engines. What he doesn't say is that it holds 11.6 quarts of Mercon ULV fluid, and his single drain/fill is only replacing 5 quarts or less than half the fluid.

And the 6F35 which I had, you can see that the process is the same. When I had my Escape serviced at about 50K miles, I believe the dealer used a flush machine to remove all the old Mercon LV fluid and replace it with all new, through the cooler lines which that vehicle had (in the towing package, which my Nautilus doesn't have).

That guy is about 30 minutes from me. Had him change the spark plugs on my '08 Expy before I sold it to a buddy.

Weird dude.

 

[walterk15]

 

[Squitter12]

I don't see anyone here mentioning lubricant change in the rear differential or power transfer unit. I have the 3.7 2017 MKX. Having the ATF, RDU and PTU changed out tomorrow at 69K mi at a top tier independent shop. This involves drill and tapping the RDU and PTU. All in for a little over $700. Mine has no access to AT filter, so siphon and refill. Add $200 - $250 for complete AT flush and filter replacement if your model has access.