New to forum, maintenance question!

Hey all. Recently purchased a 2007 Limited 4x4 with 166k.
The valve covers look super clean compared to rest of motor...which tells me it prob had recent work.

I already replaced 3 coil packs and all the plugs. Runs smooth again.

Question: Since I’m unsure of maintenance history...is it good to still have the transmission fluid changed? I know when a car has gone this long without changing fluid, often they recommend just leave it since new fluid could break free gunk and cause it to fail quicker.

However...this being a truck...does that same rationale apply? I don’t want to ‘wait’ for it to die...I’d rather swap the fluid out. Even if it’s only half the fluid by dropping the pan and not flushing it like the dealer suggests.

It’s shifting smoothly currently.
Thanks for any guidance!


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Its a generally good idea to change all the fluids in a 'new to you' vehicle, even if they look fresh. All of them. Oil, coolant, differentials, tranny. Power steering fluid isn't so critical but a good smell test would be in order. Brake fluid should also be changed. This gives you a baseline on the fluids, and you will also know what fluids are in the car.

For the tranny, a simple draining of the pan and a new filter should suffice. You're in that gray zone between 'go ahead and flush' and 'a flush will most likely give you problems'. Its the flushing that causes the problems, not the new fluid.

Its quite possible you have a well-maintained vehicle; the overall appearance and ride quality can be a clue to that.

bobmbx said:

Its a generally good idea to change all the fluids in a 'new to you' vehicle, even if they look fresh. All of them. Oil, coolant, differentials, tranny. Power steering fluid isn't so critical but a good smell test would be in order. Brake fluid should also be changed. This gives you a baseline on the fluids, and you will also know what fluids are in the car.

For the tranny, a simple draining of the pan and a new filter should suffice. You're in that gray zone between 'go ahead and flush' and 'a flush will most likely give you problems'. Its the flushing that causes the problems, not the new fluid.

Its quite possible you have a well-maintained vehicle; the overall appearance and ride quality can be a clue to that.

Click to expand...

I figured with it being a truck tranny it would be a little more durable than typical car one. Good point about the flushing vs dropping pan. Do u happen to know how many quarts dropping the pan requires? Figured I’d ask! Def gonna start changing out the other fluids then.




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Shantheman73 said:

I figured with it being a truck tranny it would be a little more durable than typical car one. Good point about the flushing vs dropping pan. Do u happen to know how many quarts dropping the pan requires? Figured I’d ask! Def gonna start changing out the other fluids then.




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Click to expand...

No, sorry. I would imagine it to be in the neighborhood of 6-7 qts.

bobmbx said:

No, sorry. I would imagine it to be in the neighborhood of 6-7 qts.

Click to expand...

Update: My compressor went bad (along with a bunch of other stuff...grrr) so while I was at the dealer they checked the trans fluid. It wasn’t bad, ergo, it must have been changed at some point.

I went ahead and did the flush and all is well.

Thank you for all the wisdom!


2007 Ford Expedition Limited
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I'm on the same process .