New Trans Fluid Change Interval??

[SmokinGator]

Included in the packet with the Owners Manual for my new truck:



Owners Manual Addendum



This addendum replaces the information for all automatic transmission maintenance intervals found in the maintenance schedules section of your owner's manual:



Schedule A:



If following the Sched A mtc intervals use the following intervals for changing the auto trans fluid:



EVERY 100,000 MILES

-Drain and refill auto trans fluid. Replace filter and adjust bands



Schedule B:



If following Sched B mtc intervals use the following intervals for changing auto trans fluid:



EVERY 30,000 MILES

-Drain and refill auto trans fluid. Replace filter and adjust bands.









If I'm reading this correctly (I've read and re-read) it says under light duty use the fluid only need be changed at 100,000 mile intervals and heavier duty use at 30,000???!!! That's a big change from the manual itself (every 30k light duty, every 15k heavy).



Am I reading this correctly? Were there changes in the transmission?





Any comments?





Thanks,



Matt

 

[SFord]

Matt, down the road you may want to buy the Mag-Hytec Double Deep trans. pan. This pan allows for the addition of an additional four Quarts of ATF and will help keep the trans fluid cooler thus keeping the change intervals a little longer. It also has a provision for mounting a temp. sending unit as well. I plan on changing my fluid and filter every 30,000 miles even though I have this pan to help the longevity of the transmission... ... . Hopefully..... Steve



P. S. it also looks good too!!!!!!!!

 

[Fireman Dave]

In my opinion, it would be foolish to go 100k on trans. fluid. I changed mine for the first time at 12k (1 year old). It was nice and pink and didn't look like it needed to be changed - just what I wanted to see. I plan on changing mine every year whether it needs it or not. It doesn't cost much, so cheap insurance in my estimation. Besides, it's fun getting all dirty under there!



I also installed a temp gauge in the cooler line to monitor things. I tow, so I'm especially aware of the health of the transmission. It's definitely the weak link on the truck. I may go for the deep pan, too, and possibly synthetic fluid. Just gotta save up for that pan.

 

[SmokinGator]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I've been away from the computer for a couple of days (fishing yesterday!! caught some permit, grouper, and snapper about 40 miles off Marco Island).



S, definitely thinking about the higher capacity cover especially with the auto.



Fireman, I agree -- 100k without a change is kinda scary. I'll probably split the difference somehow also. Once a year will probably be about 50k miles for me so that's probably what I'll do also.





Any idea why the interval was changed? Were there improvements that allow for this? I've got a buddy who's changing on the 15k interval on his '00, this change would save him some $$.