Anyone know what the proper interval is? Every 20k miles or so?

 

The ford maintenance guide says every 30K.

 

If it's not done regularly, don't touch it.

 

My car has 15k miles.

 

Thanks!

 

Why?

 

Not sure why. It's just not a good idea. A Lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time ago we had a post on this.

 

Best way to do it if it hasn`t been done in a long time is drain it, pull and clean out the pan, replace filter, reinstall pan and fill. This doesn`t get 100% of the fluid, but at least you get all the gunk out of the pan. Then if you want, get a trans flush a few days later to have all the fluid to be new. This would be on an auto trans. You really don`t need to do the flush afterwards though. I did this on my 94 Z28 when I bought it at 4 years old with 52K on it. According to records, it was never changed and it was fine. Never had a trans problem. Then when I bought my 95 jeep at 9 years old with 102K on it, I did the same thing. The trans fluid was NEVER changed, and it was fine. These were both automatics. On a manual, there is no filter to be changed. Just drain and refill. No need to be worried if the fluid was never changed before or has been a long time.

 

i was a tranny mech. for 5 years w/aamco...what mike said about not touching it is very true "only" if the fluid is dirty brown and smells really burnt like a rotten egg type smell.the reason tranny fluid gets brown is because of clutch particles being that the clutches themselves are paper and that's why filters get clogged,the trans neutrals out 'cuz it can't suck fluid thru a clogged filter...that being said,one of the biggest differences between motor oil and trans fluid is that trans fluid has an abrasive detergent so clutch packs can "stick" as opposed to "slip" because of it's lubrication properties....long story short,if you put brand new fluid in a burnt transmission there is a strong chance that the fresh detergent will strip away whatever weak clutch material was left on the disk and it will "neutral out"......i'm sure people here have heard of someone servicing the trans and a few days later they all of a sudden have no 2nd,or no 3rd,happens all the time and i've seen it, however i've serviced old th350's and 400's with a pound of clutch stuck in the filter and they would survive a trip to the strip.so every trans is different and in my years of experience all i can say is that it's your call and it is a crapshoot.good luck!

 

Check this out.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...les/GetYMM.asp

I looked in my manual. They don't mention anything about changing the fluid. I have a 2002 GT 5 speed. I asked a Ford mechanic how often to change it. He said 70-85K. His words were
" they don't get dirty", referring to manual trans. It probably won't hurt to change it if it will make you feel better. I don't think a tranny will complain about clean fluid.