So I'm not a hardcore car guy. I'll do my easy maintenance on my cars (battery change, head lights, etc). So my wife and I just moved to a larger city and I haven't really went out looking for a good mechanic yet. Prior to this, I always took mine and my wife's vehicles to our small town Ford dealer because I knew the guys personally and trusted their word and work.
So today, I just took it to Tires Plus because it was down the street. In the middle of the oil change they call me and tell me that since my wife's car ('05 Focus ZX4) is at 42,000 miles and that's its past the recommended 30,000 mile transmission flush. Which of course costs $140. I keep a pretty good tab on the owner's manual and I don't recall this being anywhere in the maintenance schedule. Since I didn't have the manual in front of me I told them no.
I get the car back and thumb through the maintenance guide and all I can find outside of checking the tranny fluid levels, is that the fluid needs to be changed at 60K for CVT's. Well obviously this isn't a CVT. Even on Tire Plus's own website on their "maintenance schedule" for my wife's car, no where does it say transmission flush (outside of checking the fluids).
A little Googling and I find conflicting stories and recommendations. Some say yes, some say 100K, some say flushes are bad and their high pressure etc etc and can do more harm than good, and so on.
So, suggestions, help, answers, insights?
first off, the difference between doing a flush, and doing a fluid and filter change......
to flush your tranny, it gets hooked up to a fluid exchanger. this is generally done by removing one of your trans fluid cooler lines, and connecting the exchanger in-line. start the engine....as the trans. attempts to circulate fluid throughout itself, it now pumps the old fluid into the exchanger, and the exchanger pumps the fresh fluid into the trans.
to change the fluid and filter, you drop the trans pan(carefully, unless you want a trans. fluid shower) remove the filter and replace it with a new one.
the average automatic transmission holds between 10 and 12 quarts of fluid.(including what's in the torque converter) when you flush the fluid, you change ALL of it. when you just do a filter change, you generally only change abut 4 or 5 quarts of it. the rest is still inside the workings of the tranny, and the torque converter.
if the car's in pretty good shape, i prefer to do the flush, especially if you're somewhat near the correct mileage. fords are still somewhat notorious for transmission problems.
i flushed the trans on my 95 taurus a few months ago, as the tranny was bucking, and generally acting weird...even after just dropping the pan. the trans worked beautifully.
i just checked in alldata(my information system.)
they call for changing the tranny fluid at 30k miles, if you're driving in severe driving conditions. they define that as towing, extended idling, or dusty conditions.
from alldata:
T : Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top-carrier
Every 3,000 miles or 3 months Change engine oil and filter
Every 60,000 miles Change transfer case fluid
Change rear axle fluid if equipped with XY-75W90-FEHP
As required Change manual transmission fluid
As required Inspect and lubricate U-joints
I : Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as in heavy commercial use such as delivery, taxi, patrol car.
Every 3,000 miles or 3 months Change engine oil and filter
Lube front lower control arm ball joints with zerk fittings, if equipped
Every 5,000 miles Inspect brake system
Check battery electrolyte level (Patrol Cars)
Every 15,000 miles Replace fuel filter
Every 30,000 miles Change automatic transmission fluid
Lubricate 4x2 wheel bearings, replace grease seals, and adjust bearings
Every 60,000 miles Replace spark plugs
Change transfer case fluid
As required Replace cabin air filter
D : Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads
Every 3,000 miles or 3 months Change engine oil and filter
Every 15,000 miles Replace fuel filter
Every 30,000 miles Change automatic transmission fluid
Every 60,000 miles Change transfer case fluid
As required Replace engine air filter
As required Replace cabin air filter
O : Off-road operation
Every 30,000 miles Change automatic transmission fluid
Every 50,000 miles Change rear axle lubricant (F-450 and F-550 only)
Every 60,000 miles Change transfer case fluid
As required Replace cabin air filter
As required Inspect and lubricate U-joints
As required Inspect and lubricate steering linkage ball joints with zerk fittings
30000 MI or 48000 KM
Inspect
Ball Joint Notes
Brakes and Traction Control Notes
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake lines and hoses, and parking brake system for all operating Conditions.
Cooling System Notes
Inspect cooling system and hoses.
Exhaust System Notes
Heat Shield, Exhaust Notes
Steering and Suspension Notes
Inspect steering linkage and suspension.
Vehicle (Multi-Point Inspection) Notes
Recommended by Ford
Wheel Bearing Notes
Inspect wheel ends for endplay and noise.
Lubricate
Control Arm Notes
If using Special Operating Conditions I. Refer to Special Operating Conditions (Read This First). Lube front lower control arm and steering linkage ball joints with zerk fittings, if equipped.
Replace
Cabin Air Filter Notes
Replace cabin air filter, if equipped.
Engine Oil Notes
Replace engine oil for all Special Operating Conditions.
Fluid - A/T (Operating Conditions T, I, D and O only.) Notes
If using Special Operating Conditions T, I, D or O. Refer to Special Operating Conditions (Read This First). Replace automatic transmission fluid on all transmissions.
Fuel Filter Notes
Replace fuel filter. All Operating Conditions.
Oil Filter, Engine Notes
Replace oil filter under all operating conditions.
Rotate
Tires
the bold is the alldata 30k service for this vehicle.
bear in mind, if you have warranty left on this car, you NEED to keep up on all of the scheduled maintenance, or they'll void it.
if ya have any questions, feel free to pm me.
john
