so my wifes 2012 ford fusion has about 70k miles on it and i don't think the transmission fluid has ever been changed. a lot of guys who own these cars highly recommend draining and refilling 3 times, which is what i plan on doing. i drained it tonight and got about 3.5 quarts out, so plan on doing it 2 more times. question is how much/far do i drive it before i do another drain and fill? definitely needs it, the fluid was very dark and in no way transparent. from what i understand a lot of folks like to do a fluid change on these at least every 30k miles. anyways, just wondering how many miles to drive before the new and old stuff is mixed good and ready to change again. thanks!
how long to drive before tranny fluid is "mixed up
- Thread starter sh40674
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Consider a drain and fill every 30 or 60K miles instead of 3 times in a row. I do 60K on my 4Runner.
You want us to guess in how many minutes and seconds your ATF was mixed?
The fluid will be completely mixed in 5 minutes.
What capacity is the transmission?
no.... i'll rephrase. i'm planning on draining and refill 3 times. i did it once, how long do you think i should drive the car before doing it again keeping in mind i'm doing 3 consecutive drain/fills. around the block? drive it 20 miles? drive it 100?
Run it for a few minutes without taking it off the jack stands or ramps.
Originally Posted By: sh40674
and i believe capacity is around 11 or 12
In that case do a cooler line flush.
and i believe capacity is around 11 or 12
In that case do a cooler line flush.
The Fusion, along with the rest of Fords lineup have thermostats in the transmission to bypass the cooler. Driving around the block will only allow you to drain what you have just put in. A heated flush is the only way to exchange the fluid completely.
I would drive it for a week then do another drain and fill. After the second drain and fill have a look at the condition of the fluid and wait another week and do it once more. Then do an annual drain and fill after that.
Mixing the fluid doesn't take long. Start the engine apply the brake and shift through the gears, count to 5 and repeat a few times, it's mixed. Or drive the car around the block, it's mixed. Or you could do as others have done, drive it a day, a week or a month and repeat. I like to finish a project on the same day if possible.
One thing to keep in mind is drive the car to get the transmission to operating temperature. I use a probe so I know the temperature the fluid is. Changing cold fluid and attempting to mix it might leave old fluid in the transmission cooler.
One thing to keep in mind is drive the car to get the transmission to operating temperature. I use a probe so I know the temperature the fluid is. Changing cold fluid and attempting to mix it might leave old fluid in the transmission cooler.
Originally Posted By: JC1
I would drive it for a week then do another drain and fill. After the second drain and fill have a look at the condition of the fluid and wait another week and do it once more. Then do an annual drain and fill after that.
Exactly. Do it on successive weekends.
I would drive it for a week then do another drain and fill. After the second drain and fill have a look at the condition of the fluid and wait another week and do it once more. Then do an annual drain and fill after that.
Exactly. Do it on successive weekends.
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