focus trans change at 150k?!
- Thread starter jay929
- Start date
- Status
If it were me, that fluid would have been drained and filled at 30k. The manufacturers have the 150k requirement because A. they think it works and B. it lowers the "cost to own" that magazines use now.
Yep, at least a drain and fill.
If your transmission is in good working order, you should do the fluid change. Changing the filter (if it has a disposable filter), removing sludge from the magnets, and cleaning varnish from the pan are also good preventive maintenance practices.
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
If it were me, that fluid would have been drained and filled at 30k. The manufacturers have the 150k requirement because A. they think it works and B. it lowers the "cost to own" that magazines use now.
Or simply reflects what the majority of owners who have a maintenance manual do anyway, ignore it. At least they accommodate by putting synthetic fluid in hoping it will last that long vs putting in regular stuff expecting the consumer to change out and never does.
If it were me, that fluid would have been drained and filled at 30k. The manufacturers have the 150k requirement because A. they think it works and B. it lowers the "cost to own" that magazines use now.
Or simply reflects what the majority of owners who have a maintenance manual do anyway, ignore it. At least they accommodate by putting synthetic fluid in hoping it will last that long vs putting in regular stuff expecting the consumer to change out and never does.
I'd say roll with the owner's manual...it's a 2010....most modern vehicles are coming from the factory with synthetic fills now, to last...now if it's driven under severe stop and go conditions, you might "meet in the middle" just for safety sake...
If it said not to change the fluid at all, I'd say change at 60k (That's what I do with my Charger), the fact that it at least says to change the fluid at 150k tells me that, that recommendation is based more by the engineers than the accountants. For that reason, I vote for keeping it until 150k.
Originally Posted By: ahoier
I'd say roll with the owner's manual...it's a 2010....most modern vehicles are coming from the factory with synthetic fills now, to last...now if it's driven under severe stop and go conditions, you might "meet in the middle" just for safety sake...
Ford used to recommend changing the fluid in the 4F27 every 30K miles. Then for some reason they stopped.
I'd change it now and every 30K if you want the transmission to last. And throw a cooler on
I'd say roll with the owner's manual...it's a 2010....most modern vehicles are coming from the factory with synthetic fills now, to last...now if it's driven under severe stop and go conditions, you might "meet in the middle" just for safety sake...
Ford used to recommend changing the fluid in the 4F27 every 30K miles. Then for some reason they stopped.
I'd change it now and every 30K if you want the transmission to last. And throw a cooler on
You can't hurt it by doing it more often. If it has a drain plug, and you don't have to drop the pan, I'd drain and full it once a year, drop the pan and change the filter every 3-5 years.
Point is, it's your car. Totally ignore it like most people, or drop the pan and change the filter every year. Do what you want.
Addendum: If it doesn't have a drain plug, you can buy a pan made by Dorman than does. Makes things much easier.
Point is, it's your car. Totally ignore it like most people, or drop the pan and change the filter every year. Do what you want.
Addendum: If it doesn't have a drain plug, you can buy a pan made by Dorman than does. Makes things much easier.
Last edited:
My dad had a 04 Focus ZXW which he bought new and was maintained strictly at the dealer. Transmission oil was not changed for 4 years & approx 120k km. The transmission died a few weeks after the first oil change.
Change it. 60k is a good interval for synthetic transmission fluid.
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
If it were me, that fluid would have been drained and filled at 30k. The manufacturers have the 150k requirement because A. they think it works and B. it lowers the "cost to own" that magazines use now.
It really depends on the transmission. For example, Ford recommended 150K mile ATF changes for the short lived Ford 500, and considering the activity on 500 forums, this hasn't hurt the longevity of transmissions as I don't see anyone discussing AT problems or their options for rebuilding transaxles. On the other hand, the Aisin transaxles in the Ford Taurus were terrible. The manual stated 30,000 mile ATF changes, and a lot of guys on forums did the ATF changes, installed coolers, and the transmission still ate itself with less than 100K miles. I don't recommend following manuals blindly. However, having a look at the forums discussing the vehicle in question can reveal some things.
If it were me, that fluid would have been drained and filled at 30k. The manufacturers have the 150k requirement because A. they think it works and B. it lowers the "cost to own" that magazines use now.
It really depends on the transmission. For example, Ford recommended 150K mile ATF changes for the short lived Ford 500, and considering the activity on 500 forums, this hasn't hurt the longevity of transmissions as I don't see anyone discussing AT problems or their options for rebuilding transaxles. On the other hand, the Aisin transaxles in the Ford Taurus were terrible. The manual stated 30,000 mile ATF changes, and a lot of guys on forums did the ATF changes, installed coolers, and the transmission still ate itself with less than 100K miles. I don't recommend following manuals blindly. However, having a look at the forums discussing the vehicle in question can reveal some things.
Last edited:
Yes, it is a good idea to change the transmission fluid. The only time you shouldn't change it is if it's already on its way out, like if you already feel it jerking.
MAG-1 Synthetic ATF is a high quality synthetic at a great price. Maxlife and Castrol are fine products too, but they do cost more.
Unfortunately Ford was too stupid to equip the Focus with a drain plug on its transmission, even though the Mazda Protege--which has the exact same transmission--as a drain plug. So, get a new transmission pan for a Mazda Protege. You already have to remove it to change the ATF on your car, so why not.
MAG-1 Synthetic ATF is a high quality synthetic at a great price. Maxlife and Castrol are fine products too, but they do cost more.
Unfortunately Ford was too stupid to equip the Focus with a drain plug on its transmission, even though the Mazda Protege--which has the exact same transmission--as a drain plug. So, get a new transmission pan for a Mazda Protege. You already have to remove it to change the ATF on your car, so why not.
- Status
