First oil/transmission change

[hmiwb]

Well I just turned 1000 miles on my new 09 Ranger so I changed the oil and filter. I was startled at the green color of the factory oil, strange. I wanted to have synthetic oil in the manual transmission so I changed that to Mobil 1 ATF. I was really surprised to see how much metallic stuff was clinging to the transmission drain plug magnet and also how much foreign stuff appeared to be in suspension in the ATF that I drained out. I'm really glad I changed it as I can't imagine leaving all that crud in there for thousands of miles.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The 'green' stuff in the factory oil is dye so that they can check for oil leaks on the new engines.

Its quite normal for a new manual transmission to have metal on the plug.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Its good to change the transmission fluid early. I swear the two owner's before me, didn't change the tranny fluid. Changed it at 75k miles when I got the Ranger. Came out black with metal flack on the plug. After 2 changes later, its nice and clean. And shifts much better. Synthetic is the way to go too. It helps with the shifting in colder climates.

 

[hmiwb]

Yes, the green engine oil surprised me, but I have seen it mentioned elsewhere. I was sure surprised at the amount of metal on the transmission drain magnet and the amount of crud in the fluid. I expected to see some, but it was way more than I expected. Sure glad I changed it. The rear end will get the treatment next just to be safe.

 

[Toms01PSD]

It's a brand new truck...

 

[manitoba]

I always heard you should break in your motor with regular oil up to 25.000 km. then switch to synthetic if you want it.
Synthetic doesnt break a motor in

 

[bmxryder]

I always heard you should break in your motor with regular oil up to 25.000 km. then switch to synthetic if you want it.
Synthetic doesnt break a motor in

ive seen on a tv show that they didnt put royal purple in right away for the break in. idk if they put regular or synthetic though.

 

[exbass94]

Lots of cars come with synthetic straight from the factory. (Corvettes, BMWs, Porsches, etc) Those engines break in just fine on synthetic.

 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Lots of cars come with synthetic straight from the factory. (Corvettes, BMWs, Porsches, etc) Those engines break in just fine on synthetic.

True, engines are built with much closer tolerances than most. i wouldnt fire a rebuilt old engine with synthetic to break it in, but newer stuff should be fine.

If i was the original poster, i'd clean the trans magnet, run another 1,000 miles to get anything else floating around, then drain/change it all.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Ford is real bad, if you wear your truck in with regular tranny flushes and changes then you gotta keep it up. if you never swap the tranny fluid or filter, then dont do it at high mileage. At least for the majority.

 

[Daniel_187]

just wondering Why? I was thinking of doing a tranny flush on my 02 ranger I bought in 06. not sure if I should do it or not?

 

[LittleHorse]

my haynes manual says that most manual transmissions will never require a fluid change during the life time of the vehicle. I laughed whole heartedly, and then pulled the drain plug.

Of course maybe they figure as long as you're topping off your M5OD as it leaks through the shift rail plugs, you'll basically have a fresh batch of fluid every year anyway.

 

[dhinch279]

I changed tranny fluid in my 94 ranger M5OD at 75k. It had never been done and it looked in really good shape with hardly any metal, I couldn't believe it. So after 15k I changed it again to make sure that the metal wasn't up in the tranny, still not much, so i'm hopin it'll live forever

 

[exbass94]

just wondering Why? I was thinking of doing a tranny flush on my 02 ranger I bought in 06. not sure if I should do it or not?

Yes, you absolutely should. Flushing old transmissions is only bad when the trans is about to die anyway. Otherwise, it is excellent preventative maintenance and is the ONLY way to make it last a long healthy life.

 

[Mac]

I really like to do an early fluid change just to get rid of all the stuff that wears off in the break-in period, it's like leaving sand in there, just increases the wear. Same goes for the differencial. After that I'd just stayed with the normal reccomended fluid changes. Wish they had drain plugs on everything with the magnet in it.
Dave