Tranny PM and towing
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: new york
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Tranny PM and towing
Hi all,
I have a 2003 Ford Explorer that we purchase two years ago. IT has 64,000 miles on it with no tranny issues. We purchased to be able to pull a pop up camper we purchased which is about 3K loaded so we are about maxed on pulling capacity. We have pulled the camper for two seasons now and I haven't had anything done to the tranny and am wondering if I should do anything. I looked at the maint. schedule for this year and it says the following in the schedule. First, it is a sealed tranny with no dipstick. so the schedule says to check the fluid at 100,000 miles if you have no distick. As far as changing the tranny fluid under normal duty it says to change the fluid at 150,000 miles unless it is a 4r100 tranny which I believe we have the 5r55W. If you use the vehicle under severe duty most of the time then you need to change and check tranny fluid at 30K intervals. Towing is under severe duty but the most of the time statement is subjective. We pull the trailer about 9 times a year ( 18 total back and forth) June-October and probably 60 miles or less each trip. I would probably not consider this severe duty. Vehicle does not seem to have any issues pulling this load and it is not that hilly in New York. Would you guys change tranny fluid for this scenario. I guess I am concerned without ever having a change or fluid flush that problems may arise as I have read horror stories about things happening after changes. Thx.
I have a 2003 Ford Explorer that we purchase two years ago. IT has 64,000 miles on it with no tranny issues. We purchased to be able to pull a pop up camper we purchased which is about 3K loaded so we are about maxed on pulling capacity. We have pulled the camper for two seasons now and I haven't had anything done to the tranny and am wondering if I should do anything. I looked at the maint. schedule for this year and it says the following in the schedule. First, it is a sealed tranny with no dipstick. so the schedule says to check the fluid at 100,000 miles if you have no distick. As far as changing the tranny fluid under normal duty it says to change the fluid at 150,000 miles unless it is a 4r100 tranny which I believe we have the 5r55W. If you use the vehicle under severe duty most of the time then you need to change and check tranny fluid at 30K intervals. Towing is under severe duty but the most of the time statement is subjective. We pull the trailer about 9 times a year ( 18 total back and forth) June-October and probably 60 miles or less each trip. I would probably not consider this severe duty. Vehicle does not seem to have any issues pulling this load and it is not that hilly in New York. Would you guys change tranny fluid for this scenario. I guess I am concerned without ever having a change or fluid flush that problems may arise as I have read horror stories about things happening after changes. Thx.
#2
Member
I am not a mechanic by trade, and you are right in that sometimes problems can arise by disturbing something that was otherwise perfectly fine, but, in this case, I would do it; not from a mileage standpoint, but from the 10 year standpoint.
#3
Not a flush though...just a fluid change. If it has the towing package with a separate cooler just for the trans....it should be doing fine. W/o the towing package...heat can be an issue.
#4
More than the average man would want to know about the transmission.
http://ratstangrestoration.com/5r55w-complete.pdf
http://ratstangrestoration.com/5r55w-complete.pdf