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Should I change ATF fluid?
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hailstreak
New User
May 15, 2016, 5:57 PM
Post #1 of 6
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Should I change ATF fluid?
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I have a '00 Ford Ranger with 157,000 miles on it. The last time I changed the ATF fluid was at 75,000 miles, but that was ten years ago. No towing, just normal driving. For the past year, I have noticed some slightly harder shifting during the first few minutes of driving, but it settles down once it is warmed up. The fluid is a nice red color, but does show some streaks of gray when I first wipe it. Some have told me that changing the fluid after such a long time is not advisable because it may actually cause problems. Others say it is fine as long as the fluid is red. Still others say to do a fluid change, but not a flush. I wish I had kept up the 30,000 mile change interval, but unfortunately I did not. Any advice or recommendations?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2016, 9:20 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: Should I change ATF fluid?
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I'd drop the pan and see what is laying in the bottom of it. Grey isn't a good thing. I'm curious as to what Gary says about changing fluid causing issues. I honestly believe if the transmission got to the point it would fail just by changing the fluid, it was on its way out the door anyway. Pretty sad the transmission fluid was neglected. The protectants, detergents, ect. already designed into the ATF by the manufacture do break down with heat and age. Not servicing the fluid just accelerates the wear and shortens the transmission's service life.
A transmission flush is a nickname given to the transmission fluid exchange process. You are using transmission fluid pressure, the transmission pump already produces in the cooler circuit, to exchange the old fluid inside the transmission and torque converter with new fresh fluid. You're not pressure washing the inside of the transmission...lol. I don't agree with chemicals being dumped into the transmission to "clean or recondition things". Just don't see how "miracle in a can" is going to make clutch material grow back, valves and bores regenerate, or seals magically become new.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on May 15, 2016, 9:22 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 15, 2016, 11:39 PM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: Should I change ATF fluid?
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I'll mostly second that opinion. The site's tranny Guru should be by for his thoughts on this and hope so.
With seeing "grey streaks" on dipstick that isn't good as DS said.
What to do: IMO trans that now isn't shifting perfectly, showing some grew would also drop the pan, clean the muck totally out of it will tell really how much is there and the filter because most are right there and just replace that much which isn't all the fluid but perhaps 1/3rd or so.
Just that and it will either get better or speed up its demise. You have symptoms so a real crap shoot. That's my opinion not the only one you may get.
If it got better and stayed better for some time then would go back and do routine maintenance on schedule just because. Never mind all the electronic controls it is also a mechanical machine that wears and is showing it so unknown how much time and miles you will get.
Ditto again on additives: NO. New fluid even partial has new additives enough by itself.
If you do measure exact amount that came out with dropping pan and put that much back in new exactly before a test drive and final check of level. It either helps it or it doesn't as said,
T
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gsferraro
Veteran
May 16, 2016, 3:27 AM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: Should I change ATF fluid?
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Hello,
When someone comes into my shop with something like this, i go by condition of the fluid if its black or has that varnish scent to it, i wouldnt do a service. Being the fact that yours is red and seems to be in good condition, i would do a service, you mentioned the grey streaks, not doing a service for that long you may have some sediment in the pan, which may be normal, as long as its not excessive. This trans may be the 5R55E,(5 speed automatic) If your going to change the filter, it may come with a new bolt as the filter has been updated, try to get a filter that says filtran(the name of the company) on it. after market filters made in china may give you issues. Gary
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hailstreak
New User
May 16, 2016, 6:14 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1549 views)
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Re: Should I change ATF fluid?
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Thanks everyone for the replies! I think I will bring the truck in next week to a local transmission shop that I know is reputable and get their take on it. The fluid does have a slight smell to it, but I am not sure I would call it burnt.
The gray streak only shows up on the first swipe of the stick if I haven't checked it in a while. The hard shifting, while noticeable during the first few minutes of driving, is more like a "bump" than anything else. Someone told me that it could be a problem with the TPS sensor. Maybe I am being too optimistic.
I am prepared at this point to get a new vehicle, so I will probably just have a fluid change done and live with the results (drive it till it dies). But it would be nice if the truck could last a couple more years. I'll post the results of the fluid change if I do indeed get that done next week, or if nothing else, what the shop said.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 16, 2016, 6:48 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: Should I change ATF fluid?
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Side note on this "Bump" feel: That might be a U-Joint that has made a pattern in it. If so they are NOT always loose yet just have a sticky spot now and some show rust stains OR you would have to remove the shaft to the rear end to check it well. Happens more to rear at differential than the others as that one has to move more than the others and more likely to get abuse from road water/spray than the other washing out its grease.
IDK - some last forever and some don't. Not terribly expensive as things go,
T
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