Picture of F250/F350 fluid after 313k miles

[GON]

Simply a picture I came across of a 2017+ F250/F350 trans fluid that never was changed since factory fill. 313k miles.

Lots of conclusions could be drawn here. One might be the truck may not have towed often. Another is the fluid Ford uses in the trans from the factory might be pretty good stuff.

 

[atikovi]

Sure that's not from an oil change on a Powerstroke?

I bet that after they change the fluid and the transmission dies a month later, they will blame the fluid change for causing it, not because it has 313,000 miles on it.

 

[michaelluscher]

Mercon LV or ULV?

We're told that these fluids characteristically darken earlier in service, and that it doesn't necessarily mean the fluid is bad
Mix in the green dye they use at the factory for leak checking, plus some break in debris, and you've got a first D+F that looks nasty

That being said, it's good that it was changed out, probably a few more D+F in the future?

Transmissions would last longer if people would service them more

 

[Kira]

Yup.

 

[Whimsey]

I first changed the ATF in our 2017 Explorer with the 6F35 tranny at 10,000 miles. It was NASTY, black and silver. I did another 10,000 mi change and it was less black and silver. I did further changes in the 20,000 to 27,000 mile intervals. The last change at 27,000 miles came out looking almost new with almost no build on the drain plug magnet.

 

[Whimsey]

I meant to add that the the early changes had lots of material on the drain plug magnet.

 

[meep]

What fluid does that unit call for? Is it a synthetic? As best I can tell, I think the ULV juice in the 10r80 is probably made by valvoline, and this board seems to think that’s a group III. If it wasn’t towing or used hard, it’s plausible that it could be still hanging in there, probably pretty sadly, but still operating, at that point.

 

[MSCH]

 

[paulo57509]

The nastiest ATF I ever drained was from a ~'67 AMC Borg-Warner of unknown mileage/age. It wasn't so much the color (it was still red) but the stench.

Not even washing myself off with solvent would remove the smell. Good thing the transmission service happened close to quitting time.

 

[Number_35]

The nastiest ATF I ever drained was from a ~'67 AMC Borg-Warner of unknown mileage/age. It wasn't so much the color (it was still red) but the stench.

Not even washing myself off with solvent would remove the smell. Good thing the transmission service happened close to quitting time.

ATF, even new, always smells disgusting to me - it makes me think of organ meats from my childhood.

 

[ARB1977]

ATF, even new, always smells disgusting to me - it makes me think of organ meats from my childhood.

I’d rather take the smell of atf over gear oil, lol.

 

[4WD]

I have found FWD vehicles darken the ATF quicker than my inline body on frame units … with our Chevy Cruze it looked like motor oil at 30k … (traded at 140k and shifting like new) …
My 6L80e gets a pan volume per year (put in drain plug) and the fluid stays looking like new … Clean 20 minute job …
(has this thing called a dipstick)

 

[Number_35]

I’d rather take the smell of atf over gear oil, lol.

True! I think it's the sulphur that gives GL-5 oils that unique stench.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

ATF, even new, always smells disgusting to me - it makes me think of organ meats from my childhood.

Most of the time it isn't terrible but older type F smells like cat pee

 

[Fordiesel69]

Without bands and with the electronic throttle bodies, I think tranny fluid is able to last a long time now. My ford C-6 tranny the fluid will be ruined in 30k.!!!

 

[D60]

Without bands and with the electronic throttle bodies, I think tranny fluid is able to last a long time now. My ford C-6 tranny the fluid will be ruined in 30k.!!!

Ya know you got me thinking....I wonder if the relatively modern approach of "torque management" helps at all. That's not the right term but what I'm thinking of is e.g. even GMT800s pull a bunch of timing immediately before shifting. A lot of guys turn this off with tuners but I always figured it probably helps slush boxes live longer lives. Not sure if it specifically affects band wear, though.

 

[MSCH]

Ya know you got me thinking....I wonder if the relatively modern approach of "torque management" helps at all. That's not the right term but what I'm thinking of is e.g. even GMT800s pull a bunch of timing immediately before shifting. A lot of guys turn this off with tuners but I always figured it probably helps slush boxes live longer lives. Not sure if it specifically affects band wear, though.

yes it helps... you can think of torque management being just like the difference between revving the engine and dumping the clutch thru every gear in a manual equipped car or slowing down and being nice and gentle with the gear changes.. and it saves other stuff too.

it might be frustrating at times, but its there for durability and fuel economy reasons

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Ya know you got me thinking....I wonder if the relatively modern approach of "torque management" helps at all. That's not the right term but what I'm thinking of is e.g. even GMT800s pull a bunch of timing immediately before shifting. A lot of guys turn this off with tuners but I always figured it probably helps slush boxes live longer lives. Not sure if it specifically affects band wear, though.

It also helps that the gears are much closer than they were before.

 

[Egg_Head]

True! I think it's the sulphur that gives GL-5 oils that unique stench.

This is the foulest smelling stuff I have ever put in a car

 

[ford250]

This is the foulest smelling stuff I have ever put in a car
View attachment 180828

Who makes that for GM ???