I need advice for servicing schedule and pricing of stuff

[GhostStrykre]

OP, I, like you, have had a pretty decent transmission experience in my 2019. At 40k miles the works + brakes sounds like the way to go. Maybe start thinking about the diffs and transfer case fluids. Those diffs and the transfer case are insanely simple to swap. That’s a premium opportunity to utilize a local shop that costs less than the stealership. Ain’t no electronics involved in that process so no plugging into a computer or anything. Just drain and fill.

my personal OPINION is the transmission can be dealt with between 60-80k miles for one that isn’t misbehaving (which sounds like your transmission is treating you well). My Ford dealer in Ohio quoted me like $500ish for a “drain and fill” on my transmission that included a filter swap. I was told I needed to specifically say “drain and fill” because a “transmission fluid flush” was a different procedure that the 10R80 transmissions do not like. Why? I dunno. Just what I was told. All I know was the dealer was encouraging me to take the cheaper drain and fill rather than the more expensive flush. That doesn’t happen often. Good luck!

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[5thranger]

OP, I, like you, have had a pretty decent transmission experience in my 2019. At 40k miles the works + brakes sounds like the way to go. Maybe start thinking about the diffs and transfer case fluids. Those diffs and the transfer case are insanely simple to swap. That’s a premium opportunity to utilize a local shop that costs less than the stealership. Ain’t no electronics involved in that process so no plugging into a computer or anything. Just drain and fill.

my personal OPINION is the transmission can be dealt with between 60-80k miles for one that isn’t misbehaving (which sounds like your transmission is treating you well). My Ford dealer in Ohio quoted me like $500ish for a “drain and fill” on my transmission that included a filter swap. I was told I needed to specifically say “drain and fill” because a “transmission fluid flush” was a different procedure that the 10R80 transmissions do not like. Why? I dunno. Just what I was told. All I know was the dealer was encouraging me to take the cheaper drain and fill rather than the more expensive flush. That doesn’t happen often. Good luck!

I would not do the flush only the drain and fill. The flush can dislodge debris and the deposit it into the delicate components of the valve body which is already a problem on these transmissions. The solenoids in the valve body are a known problem.

 

[GhostStrykre]

I would not do the flush only the drain and fill. The flush can dislodge debris and the deposit it into the delicate components of the valve body which is already a problem on these transmissions. The solenoids in the valve body are a known problem.

yep, this is essentially what the service advisor told me, but I didn’t feel educated enough to risk saying it wrong on here. I only felt smart enough to say to do the drain and fill lol. So I appreciate you adding in the more educated bits that I didn’t feel competent enough to share.

 

[CP0861]

They're simply trying to get every penny they possibly can out of you. That's the service advisor's job basically - I think they may even get a commission at some places.

I would drain/fill the transmission fluid. And the diff. New metal, lots of moving parts, I'd rather do it early just to get any potential new engine stuff out.

I did do the fuel system cleaning....at my last service (55K miles) - some will say that's a rip off, maybe it is, but I did notice an improvement after, so whatever. I plan on keeping this truck until it falls apart, so if I'm over maintaining a bit - so be it. I run 93 in mine. They also suggested a coolant flush at my last service, but I'll have that done at my regular independent guy.

 

[Chris M]

They're simply trying to get every penny they possibly can out of you. That's the service advisor's job basically - I think they may even get a commission at some places.

I would drain/fill the transmission fluid. And the diff. New metal, lots of moving parts, I'd rather do it early just to get any potential new engine stuff out.

I did do the fuel system cleaning....at my last service (55K miles) - some will say that's a rip off, maybe it is, but I did notice an improvement after, so whatever. I plan on keeping this truck until it falls apart, so if I'm over maintaining a bit - so be it. I run 93 in mine. They also suggested a coolant flush at my last service, but I'll have that done at my regular independent guy.

That's what I need.
A competent independent guy.

 

[AzScorpion]

That's what I need.
A competent independent guy.

I told you I have one right in Goodyear.

I know you didn't like the Brakes Plus in Surprise but you can't compare the two because they're not the same workers and manager. I can call Johnny (the manager) and let him know your situation and you can deal with him directly. The other workers there (Scotty & Armando) and great guys too. I think you know me by now with my OCD and they've been doing all my work for the last 5 years I lived there with zero mistakes. Also, he usually tries to add coupons to the oil changes and mine are $80.00 for full synthetic with a tire rotation.

 

[JimG_AZ]

I told you I have one right in Goodyear.

I know you didn't like the Brakes Plus in Surprise but you can't compare the two because they're not the same workers and manager. I can call Johnny (the manager) and let him know your situation and you can deal with him directly. The other workers there (Scotty & Armando) and great guys too. I think you know me by now with my OCD and they've been doing all my work for the last 5 years I lived there with zero mistakes. Also, he usually tries to add coupons to the oil changes and mine are $80.00 for full synthetic with a tire rotation.

I would go with Dave's recommendation. I live in Northeast Phoenix, so I have no knowledge of repair shops in the Northwest valley. I have had good luck with Heaths Auto Service in the Scottsdale Airpark, but that is a road trip from Surprise. The only reason I do not use Heaths for my Ranger's service is that I got a really good deal on the Ford pre-paid service when I purchased my Ranger. So, all my Rangers service is done by Sanderson Lincoln.

Sanderson Lincoln has been excellent for the regular maintenance on my Ranger. After New Years, my Ranger will be going in for its first warranty repair. There is a ticking/clicking sound coming from the HVAC box in the center of the dash. Sounds like an actuator is going. I'll take it to Sanderson Lincoln or Ford of North Scottsdale. I'll use Sanderson as long as I can get a ride to my office. Otherwise, it will go to Ford of North Scottsdale, since they are close to my office. I'll let you know how the repair goes. I have to get it in soon because my 3/36 bumper-to-bumper warranty runs out at the end of January.

 

[Frenchy]

When it comes to normal vehicle service, I like to follow a particular schedule that I learned from Nissan with the Frontier.

Every 5,000 miles do the Engine Oil change and Tire Rotate.

Every 15,000 replace Engine Air Filter, Cabin Air Filter, Power Steering Fluid Exchange and Brake Flush.

Every 30,000 service Transmission, Transfer Case and front and rear Axles.

Engine coolant, spark plugs and other items I say to have inspected and go by the Maintenance Schedule of the Vehicle Manufacturer.

Of course there may be some things like fuel additives and what not. Those are bit different.

 

[fusseli]

My 2019 is at 73k miles and I decided to do some fluids earlier than the 150k recommended. Here are the results:

Rear diff: I used Royal Purple synthetic 75w90, maybe took 1.3 qts or so. The fluid came out dark and visibly had separated into a darker more viscous part and a lighter frothier part. I'd say it definitely needed changed. This was very easy to do with the spare tire dropped.

Front diff: I used Royal Purple synthetic 75w90, maybe took 0.8qts. The fluid came out light colored / looked great. Probably didn't need it or could have gone a lot longer. This is tricky to get to and was only possible with a hand pump to put new fluid in.

Transfer case: used Motorcraft Mercon LV, maybe took 1.5qts . The fluid came out dark and probably benefits from a change. This was very easy to do, just crawl under. I used a fluid pump from the Mercon bottles to add fresh fluid.

Total cost, 3 hours of DIY (I'm not in a hurry), 3qts of 75w90 and 2 qts of Mercon LV total cost... $80. Maybe $100 total if you need a fluid pump. And half a bottle of each leftover... for whatever that's worth.

 

[JimG_AZ]

So Chris, what did you end up doing? Right now my truck is at Ford of North Scottsdale getting a HVAC actuator clicking noise investigated. I had to get it into them since my 3/36 warranty expires on 2/8/25. I had them doing some maintenance work on it too and they called me yesterday and said my rear axle seals are leaking, so they are fixing that under warranty too. I just about fell out of my chair when he told me that if I was paying cash, that would have been @ a $2k repair.

 

[Chris M]

So Chris, what did you end up doing? Right now my truck is at Ford of North Scottsdale getting a HVAC actuator clicking noise investigated. I had to get it into them since my 3/36 warranty expires on 2/8/25. I had them doing some maintenance work on it too and they called me yesterday and said my rear axle seals are leaking, so they are fixing that under warranty too. I just about fell out of my chair when he told me that if I was paying cash, that would have been @ a $2k repair.

Thanks for poking me!

I went to my very local Brakes Plus shop (@AzScorpion ) recommended I check them out, so I did) and got a quote from them for synthetic oil change and brake fluid flush. Approximately $100 less than Ford.
They were careful with my truck...I watched them do stuff...walked all around under it with flashlight looking for any problems (found a seeping rear shock), explained everything they did, and treated me like a human. Absolutely no upsell on any service. Did what I asked and turned me loose.
I will definitely go back for future service!

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks for poking me!

I went to my very local Brakes Plus shop (@AzScorpion ) recommended I check them out, so I did) and got a quote from them for synthetic oil change and brake fluid flush. Approximately $100 less than Ford.
They were careful with my truck...I watched them do stuff...walked all around under it with flashlight looking for any problems (found a seeping rear shock), explained everything they did, and treated me like a human. Absolutely no upsell on any service. Did what I asked and turned me loose.
I will definitely go back for future service!

Glad it worked out at that location for you Chris! As you know customer service just about everywhere in the valley is terrible so it's nice to find a place that still has it. I never had a problem with Peoria Ford when Justin was there but as soon as he left and they got a new service manager it seems like things went downhill from there. I don't mind paying for good service but I'm not overpaying for bad service with an attitude.

When I wanted to replace my HVAC unit (it was still working just getting up there in years) it took me 3 years to find a good one. I was having a couple of "hot spots" throughout the house and every one of them had a different solution and of course the prices were all over the place. I finally found a great company who had an awesome salesman that told me to just replace the unit (compressor and condenser) because everything else looked good. He said we can always add another supply or return later but let's see how it works before we spend a bunch of money. They fixed a few leaky ducts and replaced my old Carrier with a Trane and it was a night/day difference all for a very reasonable price. They also gave me a free (I'm sure it's baked into the price) 3 year maintenance warranty along with the factory one from Trane. Twice a year they'd come out and check the system and all their guys were very professional and friendly which is also rare there.

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