Dealer Recommends Transmission change at 44K. Is this a money grab?

[John M]

Hi,
I have a 2017 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD with 44,000 miles. I bought it from Hertz 18 months ago when it had 39,000 miles on it.

I take it to my dealer (Gaudin Ford in Las Vegas) every 6 months for "The Works". Today they told me "Based on time and mileage, transmission fluid is due to be changed." The owner's manual says to change the transmission fluid every 150,000 miles.

I have had absolutely no problems with this vehicle. I never tow anything and don't drive it hard.

I didn't change it. I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are on this. Is this a typical dealer suggestion?

Thanks for any information.

 

[stamp11127]

As long as it isn't a power flush changing the transmission fluid every 30-40,000 miles will prolong the life of the transmission.

 

[John M]

Thanks for the reply. I think they wanted to do a power flush since the price they quoted was $400.

 

[stamp11127]

Money grab then.

 

[coupe11]

Hyundai (dealership I bought my Coupe from) tried that on me.

40,000 miles, in for an annual inspection. The service person asks me when I want to schedule it for the 40,000 mile check up/service visit.

I ask what that covers. She says (among other things) draining the transmission and refilling it with new fluid, draining the coolant system and flushing it and adding new coolant. A couple filters (engine intake and cabin filters and I had both of those in the truck I'd bought when I came in for the inspection). The price? Just over $400.

I'm stunned. Transmission flush and fluid change??? Coolant system flush and fluid change??? I ask why and she tells me Hyundai recommends it. I tell her that it's a manual transmission, not an automatic. She said she knows that. I tell her even my 4WD trucks/SUVs go 60,000 miles before draining and adding new fluid. She looks at me and says Hyundai recommends it.

I'm stubborn. I ask her if I go out to the car, grab the owners manual and look at the recommended maintenance schedule will it tell me every 40,000 miles for transmission and coolant changes? She sort of flutters her eyes, shakes her hair/head and the tune changes. She says (this time) that it's a "dealer recommended" maintenance interval. So, now we've gone from Hyundai recommended to dealer recommended.

I told her I would go read the manual and get back to her if the dealer recommended maintenance was really necessary. She handed me my key fob and I left.

The book says - Manual transmission is never, unless you race it or use it under harsh conditions. The coolant change is at just over 100,000 miles.

I have not stepped foot in the dealership in over 4 years not and when I bought my wife a new car I got her and nice Mitsubishi Outlander.

I hate it when people smile at me and try to rip me off. Hate it.

 

[joethefordguy]

I have worked in a shop in my younger days, and I do much of my own work even now. they are trying to take your money. unless you have reason to suspect a problem leave the trans alone. I would change auto trans fluid every 100,000 miles or every 5-10 years, depending on use.
if you do have reason to suspect an issue, the first thing I would do is change the fluid.

 

[TobyU]

At least we have some smart people in here.
Total rip off.

Plus a flush is worse than just doing a pan drop and filter change BUT it is EASIER for them and THEY CHARGE MORE FOR it. Just wrong I tell you.

Another reason to stay away from dealers AND garages- most are no better.

You can sometimes find a one or two man shop that is so busy they don't have time to do extra stuff you don't need!
Busy means they are probably good too.

I vote for only using people on the side from referrals for friends etc (not tha plenty of people have "their mechanic" that has been hosing them for years) but this is better that shops.

You should always have the option of providing your own parts too.

The only best way is to do it yourself or get you kid into auto repair at JVS school....That's Career or Career Technical Center now I think....Lol

 

[stamp11127]

Here is something to consider. All the automatic transmissions today are basically electronically controlled hydraulic machines. Due to government mileage mandates they have become confined into smaller areas and operate at higher temperatures than years ago. This requires synthetic trans fluid (hydraulic fluid) to stave off the higher operating temps.
In heavy diesel hydraulic construction equipment it is recommended to change fluid every 1000 hrs of operation dependig on OEM.

So depending on how much you drive your car daily that could be equivalent to very year or two. We recommend to students about every 30-40,000 miles. And there is no such thing as life time fluid.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I have changed mine every 40k miles, the transmission always seems to change a bit better after changing the transmission oil. My car does pull a large enclosed trailer occasionally, so far I have more than 180k miles and no transmission issues, I consider it cheap insurance!! I change the diff oil at the same time, I could probably leave it longer, but as I am underneath doing the transmission it just seems to make sense to do the transfer box and differentials at the same time..

Gary

 

[Trainmaster]

Money grab.

 

[BlackCoffee]

$400 Seems like a lot of money, but break it down. Around 14 quarts of fluid, retail about $80, dealer prices around $120. Then you probably got at least an hour labor for another $100. If they throw in a filter, dealer price is around $40. Definitely expensive, but if you did it yourself, dropping the pan, replacing the filter, and disposing of the fluid- you would invest around $125 to $150 and your own labor.

Now, is it worth it. Probably not. What kills the lubricating properties is moisture absorption, heat, and particulate build up from the friction material (usually heat contributes to this as well). Most old school guys would change on any discoloration or as preventative around 100K mileage. Since moisture absorption is more time based, I know some that change every 2 or 3 years if there is no discoloration.

However, as with an engine, lubrication and heat removal are important. If you want to implement a preventative MX approach for replacing these fluids, pick a time frame and cost point and stick to it. It will help. You can definitely tell when you open an engine or transmission the positive results of good oil or ATF. Less wear and cleaner, and less heat damage.

 

[Tocapet]

In my '09 Expy, at about 85K miles, I noticed the trans was leaking around the electrical connection. I did some research and found that it's a common problem. I bought the replacement sleeve with the new O-rings and replaced it. The sleeve has to be released from inside, so I suctioned out the fluid and dropped the pan. While I was in there I replaced the filter and put in new fluid. I bought the recommended fluid from the dealer. There was no residue or shavings in the bottom of the pan. I checked the fluid level several times, both hot & cold to satisfy myself that all is good. This was in 2014. Still going strong now at 120K miles. It's a bit of a pain to check the fluid level, since it has to be done with the trans at normal operating temperature and the engine running. You need a 19 mm wrench and heavy gloves becuz the little plastic dipstick is right next to the HOT catalytic converter on the right side. FYI I always change my own oil and use Mobil 1 and either the Mobil 1 or K&N filter. I don't trust the quickie oil change places. (I'm 79, so I'm allowed to do that. Senior privilege.)

 

[Wal92tt]

IMO, changing the engine oil, trans fluid, and coolant more frequently are more beneficial than doing it infrequently and will do the car no harm. Some will say it's a waste of $$$ but think of it as insurance and assurance that you're staying a step ahead. You've got people on the other end who wait too late and are told to simply leave it alone or they'll be opening a can of worms/Pandora's box!
If I had a new car today, I would never wait until the manufactures recommendations. It's like playing Russian roulette! Will the dealer/manufacturer be there for you if waiting until their recommendations simply leaves you with a trans needing replacement??? They'll blame your driving style, your towing, etc...

Hey I may be wrong, please chime in....?

 

[purevw]

I agree with Wal92tt. Too often is far better than not often enough. I also dislike the "power flush". Shortly after I bought my Expy used from the Ford dealer, I took it to them for a tranny service. I asked him to pass on to the mechanic that I would like to know what the inside of the pan looked like, as far as gunk in the bottom. I was told that they don't drop the pan or change the filter. They just flush it and that's all it needs. I called BS and told them to change the filter. The service manager got a bit of an attitude and told me it would cost extra. I told him that if I have to pay extra to get it done right, then charge me. I like the idea of flushing the cooler and converter, since I don't think there is a way to drain them, but not examine the pan and change the filter? Seriously?

 

[Tocapet]

I hope he changed the filter and didn't just tell you he did.

 

[iamretired]

I got an 04 P71, and a 2015 expedition. I use the works coupon for both. Bought 2015 last March 2019 with 83k on it, went to gaudin next week, never said nothing changing tranny fluid but said brake fluid needed to changed? They told me same for o4 P-71 brake fluid needs to changed. I got 92k on 04 and my mechanic friends just laugh looking at both vehicles fluids.

 

[Scot]

30K http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/05frdmg4e.pdf

 

[Scot]

Change automatic transmission fluid every 30 K http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/05frdmg4e.pdf

 

[TobyU]

But yet a few years later it seems they were extending those recommended intervals much higher. You will find very few 4r100 or 4r 75 that have had the transmission fluid changed every 30000 miles and most all those still go 250,000 without any service or rebuild.

If I remember correctly they were recommending 80-100k to change transmission fluid under normal conditions for a lot of vehicles.

With several decades of experience with AOD, AODE 4R70, 4R70w, 4R75, 4R100 trans unless you are putting them into severe-duty use and pulling at the maximum amount or greater... It is a total waste of money and time to change the transmission fluid every 30000 miles. You would see no difference changing 30,000 or changing its 75,000.
If you are Towing so much that the fluid is getting burned then yes, change it... Otherwise it's just wasting money.

I have had a fleet of these with 4R 100 24 passenger party buses and 20 passenger SUV limousines and even Town Car limousines holding 10 to 14 people.
These vehicles had far more engine problems and failures than they did transmissions.
The only transmission problems we had we're in the old days with the Aldi's in 89 Town Cars and up until around 92 to 94 with AOD. By the time the 4R70s came out our transmission problems pretty much went away.
Many times we would buy used vehicles or the vehicle we had would have 85 to 115k before they ever had the transmission touched. None of these had any failures.