Overkill fluid changes

[Vr22s]

I think:

3k-5k for oil is fine, 10k feels exessive.
30k for drive train components...might be a bit much...but with the environments I frequent I don't think it is overkill.

Going to do the diffs and transfer case when I get my truck back from the dealership. Luckily I wont have to worry about my transmission for awhile.

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[Frenchy]

I think:

3k-5k for oil is fine, 10k feels exessive.
30k for drive train components...might be a bit much...but with the environments I frequent I don't think it is overkill.

Going to do the diffs and transfer case when I get my truck back from the dealership. Luckily I wont have to worry about my transmission for awhile.

Perhaps you should look at what you deal with. Since you are in Utah, you already deal with Dusty Conditions(even though you may not drive on a dirt road, you are in the Desert), Extreme Heat in the Summer and possibly Extreme Cold in the Winter, you already deal with Severe Conditions and require Severe Service when it comes to the Service Schedule.

Looking at Ford for the Modern Vehicles, they tend to have a bit of an extended interval on that stuff. That said if you look at other Manufacturers like Nissan, you will find more reasonable schedules for Severe Service.

A great example from Nissan is as follows,

Every 5,000 change the Engine Oil and rotate the Tires.

Every 15,000 change the Engine Air Filter, Cabin Air Filter, Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid.

Every 30,000 change the Transmission Fluid, Differential Fluid and Transfer Case Oil(if applicable)

Coolant and Spark Plugs will still depend on the Application as it will change. That doesn't include the times you have to crack open the cooling system as needed.

You would be surprised as to what you can find out there with different manufacturers. That said there is also the Time Factor. If one isn't reaching the Miles, they need to use the Time for the Schedule.

 

[JohnnyO]

Oil and filter every 5k with synthetic.
I have a 2020 with drain plugs on the axles, did them and the t-case at 30k and pretty soon again when it hits 90k. On my old Sport Trac I did the rear every 30k but by the time it hit 90k the axle lube drained out clean.
The 5G Ranger calls for conventional axle lube but the only synthetic I found that meets the Ford spec in the owner's manual is Redline 75w-90.
Redline D6 ATF meets the Ford spec for the transfer case.
Plugs and coolant at 75k, I used to do them at 50k. By 75k the mpg was dropping a bit.
Transmission I'm not going to touch. Manual says 150k but based on past experience, Ford transmissions are sh*t and it doesn't freaking matter if you change the fluid or not, it ain't going to make it to 150k anyway.

 

[ctechbob]

So here's my justifications to add to everyone else's.

Oil at 5k. Yes, many users UOA's have come back fine, BUT, there's a thought out there that GDI soot can take its toll on timing chains. Usually undetected in a UOA and the only way to get rid of it is by changing the oil. 5K seems a good reasonable interval.

10K Trans fluid changes. I do the drain and fill method since I have a pan with a plug. Over 30,000 miles this is effectively a complete change of fluid, give or take a few percent. If I had access to a fluid exchange machine, I would probably only do it once every 30k. So I use more fluid, but end up in the same place as a 30k complete change (Again, give or take).

Diff 30k. I tow heavy, in the south. 2 qts of fluid every 30k isn't going to kill me. Could it go longer? Probably, but I like nice round easy to remember numbers on the odometer.

Plugs - Every 30k. Mostly personal preference. Seems that the EB is hard on plug, and I'm hard on my EB.

Blinker Fluid - Daily. I can't stand to have day-old blinker fluid in the truck.
Muffler Bearings - As needed. Usually every other week, shitty Ford build quality.

--Edit-- Forgot these two.

Coolant - Fine to wait till 100k and then every 60 after that. Reason being is that you'll never get it all out. I just did mine at 65k, mainly because I had the time, and the materials and summer is coming. We're also taking a 2 week trip with about 3400 miles of towing this summer and I wanted everything as fresh as possible.

Brake Fluid - Every 2 years. Give or take. If I'm rotating tires or changing out brake pads I'll do it then. No later than 2 years though. Bosch ESI6 fluid for me.

 

[bbeverag]

I pay for a dealership oil change using the recommended semi synthetic motorcraft blend every 5k. I am just over 30k and think I will do my transmission fluid soon. I will likely do my rear diff fluid soon as well, but am unlikely to repeat it every 30k.

I really think 5k for oil on any turbo engine and much more frequent than manufacturer recommended on the transmission are called for in this particular vehicle.

 

[VAMike]

You aren't going convince people that their lucky charm change intervals don't work, don't bother trying. Humans suck at separating correlation from causality, and if they change their oil every 500 miles and their engine works, they'll be convinced it only works because of the oil changes. ?‍

 

[Jeffrey Babb]

I'm in the "tweener" of your changes...
Oil/filter at 5000 miles
Rear end every 15,000 miles.
Trans fluid via sucky with 12 volt pump method (6-7 quarts) every 15,000 miles along with a bottle of LubeGuard
Still on OE coolant and brake fluid, plugs and battery.
I change often as I tow a heavy trailer, regularly, which is "severe".
So far, after almost 4 years, I have not had any problems or maintaince/warranty issues with Truck.
So, it may cost me $250-$300 a year in fluid products as I am still able to do it myself.
Coming up on probably a battery replacement but Weize/Amazon is just a day away

I only put approximately 3500 miles on a year, so every time it's in for inspection or any service I have the "The Works" done. I have 11,200 miles on my '22 Bronco and have had 5 oil changes done, over kill maybe, but while it's in the shop I have it done. Something that just works for me.

 

[Hethern]

Alright, I'm feeling feisty today so it's time to start an internet fight.

Some of y'all go completely overboard on fluid changes, like completely bonkers. As if changing fluids on your 5G ranger is your only hobby or passion.

The overkill I've heard:

• Trans fluid change/flush every 10k miles
• Engine oil change every 3k miles
• Diff fluid change every 10k miles. (SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!)
• Spark plugs every 15k miles (okay it's not a fluid)
• Annual Battery change

I'm going to throw a wild concept out there. If you have no adverse symptoms - follow the manufacturer's recommendation. Sometimes components fail, yeah it sucks, but it happens. Changing the fluid every drive is not going to guarantee that the component will not fail, and there's a thing in my industry called "Maintenance induced failure" Getting in there and screwing with stuff increases your chances of a failure too.

Not to mention the TIME and MONEY required to do all those excessive fluid changes. Yes I get the argument that a failure of the above components costs more than the individual fluid change, but if you're going as far overkill as above, the argument is muted, and my time to do that unnecessary maintenance is worth money too. There is such a thing as diminishing returns and some of the suggestions I see are FAR diminished.

But if that's your passion, then go for it I guess.

Finally!!

 

[Dereku]

I have mixed feelings.

10k or less for oil, follow through minder.
30k for transmission, filter every other
50k for diffs and t case
Coolant and brake fluid at 100k
Spark plugs every 30k its cheap they have a hard life
October and march wiper blades
October and April wax
Rotate tires every oil change
Brake pads and rotors 125k lol
No questions asked front end rebuild at 150k.
Drive shaft ujoints around 150k as well

Follow this on all my vehicles, 250k plus is my expectation.

Or I could replace the entire truck every 10k for peace of mind.

 

[WOADKIL]

So NO ONE is changing the Damper Oil?!?! Gonna be a rash of tailgate failures soon...

Note: Was just curious about my dif oil level at 30K, found it at least 8 ounces low! I know Ford was notorious on low levels of washer fluid, but scary with low dif oil, I tow a TT.

 

[Grumpaw]

I have mixed feelings.

10k or less for oil, follow through minder.
30k for transmission, filter every other
50k for diffs and t case
Coolant and brake fluid at 100k
Spark plugs every 30k its cheap they have a hard life
October and march wiper blades
October and April wax
Rotate tires every oil change
Brake pads and rotors 125k lol
No questions asked front end rebuild at 150k.
Drive shaft ujoints around 150k as well

Follow this on all my vehicles, 250k plus is my expectation.

Or I could replace the entire truck every 10k for peace of mind.

That's the easy way to go.....just trade in every 10,000 miles.....you'll not only get a new truck, but NEW FLUIDS so you don't have to worry about changing those pesky maintaince items......

 

[Dereku]

That's the easy way to go.....just trade in every 10,000 miles.....you'll not only get a new truck, but NEW FLUIDS so you don't have to worry about changing those pesky maintaince items......

Just need a sugar momma to pay for the ever increasing car note.

 

[bmidd]

I didn't do all three the same day, but the day I did my transfer case....all my gear hunting/surging/hesitation issues disappeared. Shifts smooooth as butter now.

Talk about a placebo effect. You should see how smooth it shifts, when you add new wiper fluid.

 

[Av8or1]

I really think 5k for oil on any turbo engine and much more frequent than manufacturer recommended on the transmission are called for in this particular vehicle.

Based on what exactly? Your 'feeling'?

Hundreds of engineers at automakers, oil manufacturers and little tiny independent agencies you might not have heard of like I dunno ASME and SAE have all found that with properly rated and certified oils like SN+, you are just fine running to 10k miles. But nah they're wrong, 5k feels better. Said with tongue firmly in cheek.

 

[Av8or1]

That's the easy way to go.....just trade in every 10,000 miles.....you'll not only get a new truck, but NEW FLUIDS so you don't have to worry about changing those pesky maintaince items......

Hell I don't even change my gas out! Once that tank runs dry it's time for a new truck.

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