DRVMN
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- David
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2021
- Threads
- 14
- Messages
- 206
- Reaction score
- 644
- Location
- Saint Cloud, Minnesota
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 Off Road
- Occupation
- High School Mathematics Instructor
I just had my 2021 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 serviced - Transmission Fluid Exchange and Brake Fluid Exchange. 52,722 miles on the odometer. I wasn't having any issues with either system . . . just wanted to have both serviced as preventative maintenance. Transmission fluid checked out fine - no signs of debris in the system, no burning smell, good color, etc. and same with the brake fluid. The brake pedal now has more "firmness" to it, and I've always suspected that there was air in the system from the factory. Transmission fluid exchange was approximately $290 and brake fluid exchange was $110.
They do not have to drop the pan with a fluid exchange. The machine used to flush/exchange the fluid reads pressures so the technician can tell if the filter is starting to build up with debris. A fluid exchange plus filter change is a lot more involved. First, the fluid has to be exchanged, then the pan dropped for filter replacement, followed by refilling fluid. If the only thing done is a pan removal and filter change, a lot of old fluid still remains in the system. That's what makes the cost go up. I will eventually do a filter change as well, but the service writer said the exchange would be fine for now. It would have been nice to replace the filter too, but it really adds a lot to the cost. As it is, I think they used 16 quarts of fluid - even though the transmission system uses just under 13. Part of that comes from flushing the old fluid out and adding the flush kit. I've always had good luck with my dealership and when I walked around the outside of the building, I could see my truck being worked on, and they definitely put the time in and did the job correctly.
Just a thought - If you measure how much fluid you pumped out and replace with that same amount of fluid, you're banking on the fact that the transmission was filled to the proper level to begin with. If it was originally under/over filled, it will continue to be under/over filled. Somewhere I remember reading on the forum that some Rangers came from the factory with the wrong fluid level.
They do not have to drop the pan with a fluid exchange. The machine used to flush/exchange the fluid reads pressures so the technician can tell if the filter is starting to build up with debris. A fluid exchange plus filter change is a lot more involved. First, the fluid has to be exchanged, then the pan dropped for filter replacement, followed by refilling fluid. If the only thing done is a pan removal and filter change, a lot of old fluid still remains in the system. That's what makes the cost go up. I will eventually do a filter change as well, but the service writer said the exchange would be fine for now. It would have been nice to replace the filter too, but it really adds a lot to the cost. As it is, I think they used 16 quarts of fluid - even though the transmission system uses just under 13. Part of that comes from flushing the old fluid out and adding the flush kit. I've always had good luck with my dealership and when I walked around the outside of the building, I could see my truck being worked on, and they definitely put the time in and did the job correctly.
Just a thought - If you measure how much fluid you pumped out and replace with that same amount of fluid, you're banking on the fact that the transmission was filled to the proper level to begin with. If it was originally under/over filled, it will continue to be under/over filled. Somewhere I remember reading on the forum that some Rangers came from the factory with the wrong fluid level.
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