Trans fluid change preventative maintenance

R

Rob Y

New Member

Sep 30, 2012

7

0

1

Nov 17, 2012

#1

• Nov 17, 2012

• #1

Need to have fluid changed in my 2003 GT trans. My mechanic who is also my nephew won't touch it and told me to go to the dealer. Said when he changed my brother in-laws fluid car never shifted right again. Called Ford and they wanted 170 dollars. Don't feel like spending that but I also don't want it to go to some hack. Could any qualify transmission shop do this correctly?

 

Jhussey1280

Member

Jan 31, 2012

185

4

19

New Pal, Indiana

Nov 18, 2012

#2

• Nov 18, 2012

• #2

Automatic or 5spd? I've changed my tranny fluid in my 98 Gt 5spd plenty of times without any issue. You should have a T-3650 trans (if it's a 5spd) in that car, just check your vehicle tag. If there's a K where it says TR then it's a T-3650. If I remember right all Ford transmisions, both auto and 5spd use Mercon. Though I'm not sure if your year would use Mercon V or not. Have to check on that. If you change it yourself just make sure you put enough fluid back in. In my dealings with some shops I've noticed they never top off the trans completely.

 

R

Rob Y

New Member

Sep 30, 2012

7

0

1

Nov 18, 2012

#3

• Nov 18, 2012

• #3

Sorry it's an automatic. Thanks for the post

 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member

Jan 31, 2003

3,125

81

99

Canada

Nov 18, 2012

#4

• Nov 18, 2012

• #4

What makes you think you "need" to have the fluid changed?

 

Reactions: Kilgore Trout

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

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134

Nov 18, 2012

#5

• Nov 18, 2012

• #5

Need to know if auto or manual and like trinity suggests, how many miles on fluid?

 

R

Rob Y

New Member

Sep 30, 2012

7

0

1

Nov 18, 2012

#6

• Nov 18, 2012

• #6

Shifting funny. When I bought the car there was a sticker sayin it would b due at 80k. Its an auto. Thx.

 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member

Jan 31, 2003

3,125

81

99

Canada

Nov 18, 2012

#7

• Nov 18, 2012

• #7

If you want help you're going to have to stop offering up information only in drips and dribbles, first omitting what sort of transmission it is and now only giving a vague "shifting funny" when asked why you think the fluid needs changing.

Unless the fluid is low it will not be a cause of "funny" shifting, whatever that means.

Is the fluid level correct?

Is the fluid bright red in color or does is have a brown tinge to it?

Does the fluid have a "burnt" smell to it?

What, exactly, do you mean by "funny" shifting? Is it slipping? Shifting early? Late? Are the shifts hard or soft?

 

Reactions: Kilgore Trout

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

95

134

Nov 18, 2012

#8

• Nov 18, 2012

• #8

If it is the original fluid it needs changed. Trans fluid is expensive so 170 is not that bad. Take it to the stealership.

 

0

007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

3,287

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69

Broke

Nov 19, 2012

#9

• Nov 19, 2012

• #9

You should change 4R70W trans fluid every 20k miles ideally. Stealership is fine.

 

0

007

Founding Member

Jan 29, 2002

3,287

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69

Broke

Nov 19, 2012

#10

• Nov 19, 2012

• #10

Read up here:

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/transmission/