How do I know if I need to change my Ford F-150 transmission fluid?

By Product Expert | Posted in Service and Repair on Thursday, April 30th, 2020 at 5:23 pm
Mechanics inspecting car undercarriage

When and How to Check Ford F-150 Transmission Fluid

For those of us that drive trucks, especially those of us that do a lot of towing and hauling, checking transmission fluid is incredibly important.

Today, we’ll talk about when and how to check the transmission fluid in your F-150. After reading this, you’ll how if you need to change the transmission fluid in your Ford F-150.


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When to Change Ford F-150 Transmission Fluid

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It is recommended that you change the transmission fluid in your Ford F-150 every 30,000-60,000 miles. That comes out to about every 2-4 years. However, if you live in a hot environment, plow snow, do a lot of towing/hauling, or you do a lot of stop and go driving, then you may need to change it more often, around every 15,000 miles. That translates to about once a year. The only way to know for sure is to check you transmission fluid levels regularly or schedule a time for a Ford-certified technician do so.

How to Check F-150 Transmission Fluid

Checking your transmission fluid is easy; finding the dipstick is the hard part. Most F-150 models transmission dipsticks will have “ATS” stamped on them. Once you’ve found the dipstick, remove it, wipe it off with a paper towel or rag, reinsert it, and then remove it again without wiping it off. The transmission fluid should go up to the “Full” or “Max” mark on the dipstick. If it doesn’t, you may need to add a little bit. If the fluid isn’t clear or pink in color or smells burnt, you need to change your transmission fluid right away.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure about your F-150 transmission fluid, give our service department a call. They’re Ford-certified to work on your F-150, so you know that they’ll do it right the first time.

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