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Ford Freestyle transmission fluid, how often does it need to be changed?

11 messages,  Last post on Jan 17, 2009 at 6:39 PM

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#3 of 11 by barnstormer64 Jan 16, 2009 (6:23 pm)
Funny you should ask this now. I went by Ford today and asked about how frequently I should have the fluid changed in the CVT. The manual only says 60,000 miles, with no mention of time or "hard service". Mine is 4 years old with 30k miles on it. I was considering changing every 30k miles.   The Service Advisor told me that you don't have to change the fluid on this thing. Strange answer. He said that the 60k mentioned in the manual is just a "generic thing" for most transmissions, and shouldn't be in there. I don't think I believe him. Replies to this message: coldcranker (Jan 16, 2009 6:44 pm)
#4 of 11 Re: [barnstormer64] by coldcranker Jan 16, 2009 (6:44 pm)
Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jan 16, 2009 6:23 pm) barnstormer, You are right not to believe that Service Advisor. The "generic" Ford automatic transmission service fluid/filter change is 100,000 miles on most newer Fords. The CVT has a more frequent fluid/filter change interval, unfortunately for us.   It is true that time is not a factor, only mileage, in both kinds of automatic transmission fluids.   If I were you, I wouldn't change it every 30,000 miles. I'm thinking about doing mine at 55,000 miles, just a little early.
#5 of 11 by barnstormer64 Jan 17, 2009 (7:04 am)
He did mention that the new Fords were 100k miles for the transmissions.   I was assuming that at the time I bought my Freestyle (and Five Hundred with a CVT, too) that Ford's transmissions were typically 60k.   I also asked about any fluid for the AWD system (I have that on both vehicles). He indicated that there wasn't anything that needed to be changed. Doesn't seem right to me. Replies to this message: coldcranker (Jan 17, 2009 7:27 am)
#6 of 11 Re: [barnstormer64] by coldcranker Jan 17, 2009 (7:27 am)
Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jan 17, 2009 7:04 am) I don't know about the AWD system, but it wouldn't surprise me that it never needs changing, as car makers have moved toward using synthetic diff oil in those that will last for 10 years, which is all they care about.   When we say "newer" Fords have a 100,000 transmision change interval, I think thats been the case for about 8 years now in Ford's conventional automatics, so thats what I mean by "newer". The CVT is really an aberration. A totally different animal, as that big steel chain inside needs its lube.
#7 of 11 by barnstormer64 Jan 17, 2009 (8:15 am)
Thanks.   Seems surprising to me that the Service Advisor was that unaware of the CVT's requirements.   I honestly don't think that particular dealer has ever serviced the CVT. That Service Advisor has been there at least 5 or 6 years. Replies to this message: coldcranker (Jan 17, 2009 9:10 am) barnstormer64 (Jan 17, 2009 1:41 pm) coldcranker (Jan 17, 2009 6:39 pm) tim156 (Jan 17, 2009 2:27 pm)
#8 of 11 Re: [barnstormer64] by coldcranker Jan 17, 2009 (9:10 am)
Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jan 17, 2009 8:15 am) That service advisor probably just had a brain freeze or something. Ford has put about 350,000 or so CVTs in Ford500s/ Freestyles/Montegos in recent memory. Replies to this message: barnstormer64 (Jan 17, 2009 1:41 pm) coldcranker (Jan 17, 2009 6:39 pm)
#9 of 11 Re: [coldcranker] by barnstormer64 Jan 17, 2009 (1:41 pm)
Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 17, 2009 9:10 am) Yeah, but how many of those have had to have the fluid changed so far? Replies to this message: coldcranker (Jan 17, 2009 6:39 pm)
#10 of 11 Re: [barnstormer64] by tim156 Jan 17, 2009 (2:27 pm)
Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jan 17, 2009 8:15 am) If that particular dealer, or any dealer for that matter, sold only a few or no Freestyles they may not have sent any techs to CVT training. The first question I would ask is "have your transmission technicians received CVT training and does your shop have the proper equipment for a CVT fluid change"? Any cross contamination with conventional tranny fluid can damage your CVT. I asked at my dealer and two techs are certified. Also, if you purchased your Freestyle from a small town dealer, I would consider taking it to a higher volume dealership to have the CVT maintenance done. The reason being, there's a better chance they have the proper equipment and the certified techs, not a transmission tech who has to read a step, perform it, read another step and so on. Since this work is done at approximately 60000 miles, many cars will be past the warranty date. If there was a problem say 2000 miles later because the tech wasn't properly trained and you couldn't prove it, well, I know how ticked off I would be.
#11 of 11 Re: [barnstormer64] by coldcranker Jan 17, 2009 (6:39 pm)
Replying to: barnstormer64 (Jan 17, 2009 1:41 pm) Ford sold more Ford500s than Freestyles, and about half of those had CVTs. Since the average vehicle gets 12,000 miles per year, probably only about 5% of all CVTs sold have had the service. Guessing, of course. Some small percentage anyway. Its probably getting to be a common, hot issue now among the technicians at Ford dealerships. Just a few more months and they will be practiced.

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