Incremental Fluid Change Every 5k or Flush at 30k?

[Drew2000]

I have a '06 Mazda Tribute (Ford Escape) with the CD4E transaxle.

The tranny drain plug is right next to the crankcase drain, so it's a extra 5 minutes to dump the ATF.

A ATF dump and fill will change 4 out of 12 quarts,so the question is would it be better to do a partial change at every engine oil change (5000miles) with a regular ATF fluid like Pennzoil, or wait until 30,000 for a full flush? Would I even need to flush at 30K if I've been doing the partial all along? Since a gallon of ATF is like $8, cost really is not an issue.

BTW I did install a Magnefiner filter in the cooler lines that will be changed every 15K.

Thanks!

Drew

 

[unDummy]

I've been doing this for years. For known weak transmissions, very frequent drain/refills will do wonders. No need for full flush ever.

Since MerconV is pretty cheap, and drainplug is easy enough, definitely consider that partial change at every oil change.

NYC traffic and driving style, especially during summer, reguires a big ATF cooler. Consider an aftermarket ATF cooler.

I'd also dump the magnefine for a 1-2 quart filter using something like the Permacool, Transdapt, or B&M mounts. You'll have the same filtering as the Magnefine, if not better, with a cheaper media replacement cost. And, the large filter also increases the ATF sump capacity which should help reduce thermal runaway.

 

[KBFXDLI]

If you have an internal filter you may wish to change that every 50k but I like the incremental change to keep the additive package in your trans oil up to spec.

 

[badtlc]

Does it use MerconV or M-V?

I'm a fan of 50k flushes. I wonder if it is probably cheaper than 5k drain/fills?

 

[Drew2000]

The CD4E tranny uses plain old (cheap$) Dexron III/Mercon. This tranny also has a spotty durability history, suposedly a bit better now. Trans has both in-radiator and external plate-type cooler about 4"x20". No serviceable internal filter, so I figured the Magnefine was better than nothing.

Drew

 

[benjamming]

The Magnefine will be better than nothing for sure. More frequent drain & refills is what I like over some interval flushes. This is what I'm doing with my '02 Accord V6 with the problem tranny.

 

[cmhj]

For over 30 years I've been a fan of frequent drains.

Flushes I've never done as I've seen cases where flushes have caused valve problems mostly due "IMO" to lack of drains.

On many vehicles instead of a flush, most of the fluid can be removed by dropping the return line from the cooler while running the engine for a few seconds. While this can be a bit messy, the trick is knowing your vehicle & I've done this a couple times on problem trannies.

Bottom line, if my vehicle has no internal filter I've generally done a drain every 10-12K miles or so after an initial 5-6K mile drain. Those with an internal filter I stay with frequent drains and drop the pan every 30-40K.

 

[wander2039]

On my 04 with the CD4E I do 15k, every other oil change, pull the plug and refill with M1 ATF. Shifts smooth.. real smooth. The CD4E doesn't have a internal filter so a magnefine or remote filter would be a plus. You didn't list mileage but anything over 20k i'd do a couple drains with regular mercon before going synthetic.

 

[unDummy]

I thought that by 2006 that Ford/Mazda started pushing MerconV in their units. Are you sure it takes regular Mercon/Dexron?

Regardless, Mercon-V would be a worthy upgrade.

 

[mckennaiii]

i realize this is overkill, but i do it anyway. i had the local tire shop i deal with flush out the tranny fluid and replace with amsoil atf. did this with all three of my cars. once a year i have them drop the pan, install a new wix filter and gasket and refill with 3-4 qts. of new atf. never had a tranny problem since doing this once a year service. i usually keep my cars 10-12 years or 200k miles. it's worked for me.

 

[Drew2000]

Quote:

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I thought that by 2006 that Ford/Mazda started pushing MerconV in their units. Are you sure it takes regular Mercon/Dexron?

Regardless, Mercon-V would be a worthy upgrade.

---

The '06 came factory filled w/Mercon, now the '07 is Mercon-V. Ford issued a TSB in '04 not to use any other ATF fluid or any synthetic in the CD4E other than plain Mercon.

Now there is a TSB that Mercon V is ok for all model years since Motorcraft is discontinuing plain Mercon. #@$%!? What has changed with Mercon V so now it's OK?

Drew

 

[Tones]

I do a drain-and-fill every 15k-20k. I don't believe a flush is necessary with this regimen. Every oil change would be overkill.

 

[unDummy]

Every oil change would NOT be overkill on several known lemon transmissions.

 

[ewetho]

Mercon V has just replaced Mercon.

Our new bottles at work are MerconV, Mercon, and Dexron III H spec.

No longer can get just Mercon. We have some left over but no longer available to order. Mercon V it is.

 

[sw99]

I am installing a tranny drain plug to make it easier. I paln on doing every other OCI (Approximately 10-12K). Bebore I do this I will drop the pan and install a fresh filter also.

 

[John_E]

Periodic drain-and-fill makes ALOT of sense to me. I just had a $300 pan-drop on the ZF tiptronic at the 6-year / 36k mi mark, and I plan to do a simple drain-and-fill every 2-3 years from now on.

Incidentally, the Brothers CarTalk like the idea, as well.

 

[Steelers]

One more vote for incremental fluid change. No need to do any flush if you're doing drain/fills all along, the fluid should be in near perfect condition. Cheap insurance for weak (Ford) transmissions. Doing this for years on my cars with excellent and inexpensive results.

 

[TeeDub]

With modern transmission fluids - many of which are actually synthetic blends or full synthetics - doing a partial change every 5000 miles is overkill.

I think your idea has merit, but doing it every 10k-15k miles should be fine if you are indeed changing 1/3 of the fluid each time. With the magnafine filter in place, you should be in good shape.

Changing oil TOO often is like replacing your tires every six months. There is really nothing to be gained by doing this and it's a waste of time and resources.

 

[unDummy]

Tires can be visually inspected for wear. ATF needs a UOA. The cost of the UOA is equivalent to several drain/refills. The cost of looking at a tire for wear is free. No comparison.

If the fluid is recycled, I don't see it as a waste of resources. Time depends on the owner.

Having a known weak transmission fail and needing it rebuilt, has a higher cost when considering the time and resources wasted.

Since the CD4E, even though improved over the years, is a piece of carp, simple maintenance that costs $200-$300 could easily double or triple the life of the transmission which cost several thousand dollars.

A partial drain/refill refreshes the additive package, removes any suspended wear, boosts the viscosity, and IMO is better then waiting for the ATF to completely breakdown before changing.

 

[Drew2000]

Thanks for the input guys. I think for about $8 for a gallon of dino Mercon, I'll do a gallon drain/fill every 5K miles. Cheap insurance. Not like I'm dumping $10/quart synthetic.

Drew