Recommendation for any Transmission Love Yet at 50k (2020 Limited)

[mangoman]

Howdy all. Curious if anyone would recommend a drain and fill or flush for my 2020 Limited (currently at 51k, non-severe driving) at this point. Thinking about my Expedition's Transmission now as our other vehicle, a 2012 Highlander at 110k, I'm now considering a drain and fill on, given it never had an earlier Transmission service, so just trying to do right and get ahead of any potential issues with our big girl (Expedition). Haven't noticed any issues with the drive. Also, done a bit of DIY on our Highlander (oil, brakes (pads/rotors), etc..) curious if the Transmission servicing is something better suited to a non-DIY approach, or Transmission DIY on an Expedition can be reasonably achieved? Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[DieselMonk]

Change the transmission fluid and make sure you got the new updated coolant thermostat. It keeps the trans temp lower.

 

[mangoman]

Change the transmission fluid and make sure you got the new updated coolant thermostat. It keeps the trans temp lower.

Appreciate the suggestion DieselMonk! Just spoke to one of the local dealerships. First thing they said they can do is a "Flush" (said they don't change filter and the flush cleans the filter. When I pushed back and asked about a Drain and Fill, they said they can do that, but it's the same price as a flush, $300. I said "you don't change the filter?". They said, if you want the filter changed, we have the drop the pan, and that'll cost a total of $800-$900

Waiting on a price from my shop to see what they can do for a drain, fill and filter replace. When I asked them about the service, they also said, if you're not having transmission issues, just leave it alone.. but then also said they can do the drain and fill if I want them to.

Good times

 

[DieselMonk]

Faithfully every 50-60k miles or 10 years, drop the pan, change filter and oil. Put that updated thermostat in and the transmission is going to last a lot longer. I don’t care what lifetime snake oil bull sheet the dealer sez. Oil degrades with heat. Period. Been doing so for a long time and never had any transmission problems yet. Even some high mileage ones.

 

[mangoman]

Faithfully every 50-60k miles or 10 years, drop the pan, change filter and oil. Put that updated thermostat in and the transmission is going to last a lot longer. I don’t care what lifetime snake oil bull sheet the dealer sez. Oil degrades with heat. Period. Been doing so for a long time and never had any transmission problems yet. Even some high mileage ones.

I hear that. Yah, I mentioned the updated thermostat to the num nuts and he said the service manager says they don't update or replace any thermostats unless there's an issue. Is this typically something that owners have to just go out of pocket for and DIY/local mechanic it? Unfortunately My 5 year warranty ended in July. That said, I do see a a ecall notice relating to:

Powertrain control module pcm reprograming​

Campaign
24E13

That said, I've heard some folks having transmission issues after the regpramming that occured with the adaptive learning tables were cleared.. Best bet probably just follow your recommendation and avoid even the reprogramming? Cheers

 

[DieselMonk]

if I hated something on the old version of the 10 speed, it was the 3 - 5 shift. My 24 doesn’t have that and it really shifts through the gears like mad. Much faster than the one I had in my old truck. But also that may be because mine is a SPP. Dunno. The thermostat is cheap and easy to do DIY.

Do you have shifting issues?

 

[mangoman]

Notice maybe a slight thud once in awhile in lower gears.. Maybe replacing tranny fluid will help (drain and fill) and like you said thermostat swap. Curious about the PCM reprogramming.

 

[KOMaynard]

Any update on your situation?

I’m calling to schedule a drain/fill and filter change today with a local transmission shop.

I’ve been having rough shifts just in the low gears when the transmission is cold, it’s subsides once it reached temperature. I think the fluids broken down and has thickened; and thins back out a bit when warm again.

Do you have a part number on the thermostat? If it’s inside the transmission pan, I’d like to have it done when it’s in.

My local ford dealers are kinda trash. The one around the corner from me won’t work on any vehicles that are 10 years old or older; and refused to do the drain and fill on my ‘18; without a $290 diagnostic first. The other dealer which is a bit of a drive, that I actually like only offers flushes because “it’s a closed system” and “they don’t open them”.

I was quoted $475 for the drain, fill and filter from the transmission shop; and $630 at another local shop.

 

[Roland A]

Faithfully every 50-60k miles or 10 years, drop the pan, change filter and oil. Put that updated thermostat in and the transmission is going to last a lot longer. I don’t care what lifetime snake oil bull sheet the dealer sez. Oil degrades with heat. Period. Been doing so for a long time and never had any transmission problems yet. Even some high mileage ones.

100% agree - every 60k, drop the pan, new fluid and filter.