TRANNY

 I am bothered by "Lifetime Fill" transmission fluids that some automakers are now going to. My vehicle has NO engine oil dipstick (but it does have an electronic one on the media display) and it has NO transmission dipstick and NO transmission fill tube either. Lifetime??? Not so sure about the wisdom of never changing or checking the tranny fluid if it's being used to tow.

There is usually a fill hole in the side of the transmission. When that plug is removed fluid is added until it comes out, then the fill plug is replaced. This is how it is on my VW.  I want to drop the pan and check the magnets when changing fluid, as I did on my former 4Runner. If the pan is dropped, it means installing a new gasket and sometimes a filter (usually there is a metal pickup screen, but no filter element). Time consuming and messy when you don't have a lift and are working on your back on a creeper.

There are two ways to change the fluid. One is to drop the pan & the other is fluid exchange. Pan drop partially changes fluid as a third of fluid remains in torque converter, if you change every 50k not a real problem. Pan drop usually under $100. If filter present they change it. The other way is to hookup exchange machine and it switches out all fluid. Usually about $150. If you drop the pan uself don't over tighten bolts during reinstalled
Or you will crush gasket and cause a pan leak.l don't think your f150 has a filter.

With our Dodge Caravans I did it myself, not a difficult job, took a bit over an hour.  I would do it at 50,000 miles.  Sold our 90 caravan with 260,000 and our 97 caravan with 218,000 miles.  Great vehicles and the 3.3 L seemed to be bulletproof, like the old 318's that Mopar produced in the 60's.  Now I get to our 08 Explorer and I have to have someone else do it, I don't have the ability or tools to do it myself, bummer and yes, just like the VW and Escape, they don't want you to work on your car anymore.

Last week however I stopped and spoke with a fellow from Pennsylvania driving a 55 Desoto with a 390 Hemi, the hood was up.  He had the distributor cap off, and was using some 300 grit sandpaper to smooth the contacts.  That took care of the problem and off he went.  Remember those days when all you really needed was a extra set of plugs, points, condensor, spare distributor cap, a few tools, and you didn't have to take it in to get repaired.

Originally posted by hogone probably hogones goofiest question yet! my f150 has a tranny gage, but doesn't show actual temp; just range. how accurate (or inaccurate) would it be to get the tranny good and hot, then shoot my temp gun on the pan? oh my; hogone

I don't think I'd trust that measurement. Too many unknowns in series. I'd recommend a ScanGuage. You can get a much better indication of trends as you drive. You want to have some idea of how hot and how long to determine fluid changes. A cheaper alternative would be any of the OBD II plugin devices for iPhone or Android. Just less convenient. My Tacoma and Pilot both have transmission idiot lights that have never come on, but I cannot find any documentation on the set temperatures. Even the dealership "trained and certified" techs could not find it. My impression is when the lights come on you're already toast! Who knows what your panel meter shows.