transmission fluid change?

[sandyranger]

i got a 2000 ranger with a manual transmission and am about to go on a 3000 km drive, the truck has 96000 km on her and wondering if getting a fluid change for the tranny is good idea... i have heard that manual transmissions do not need fluid changes but i have a feeling that is manufacturer specific

thanks

 

[pcollins]

yep my haynes manual says the fluid in your Manual transmission never needs changing. i think its a good idea to do it just once during the life of the vehicle. so if you haven't done it before, do it now and then you'll never have to worry about it again. just like the differential. if you change the fluid just once it will normally last the life of the truck and beyond.

Remember, its Dex/Mercon 3 ATF. thats what i put in anyways.

 

[exbass94]

Ford actually says to change it every 60k. And you got the fluid type backwards, it's Dex III/Mercon. I would definitely recommend changing it. Some fresh fluid would only cost you about $10 and 10 minutes of your time. It's cheap insurance.

BTW, I would never follow the Hayne's manual on fluid changes. My Hayne's says the auto trans fluid on 2005 and earlier models needs to be changed every 24k miles. Then they say 2006 and later models never need it changed because it's "lifetime fill." Umm hello, it's the exact same transmission and the exact same fluid! They also say "fluid change is not recommended by Ford." Umm, that's not what my FORD owner's manual says!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

It is still a good idea to check your flud levels regular anyway no seal is made to last forever and just by changing the fluid you can tell the condition of the gearbox by the amount of shavings you see but if your full and it makes no noise and the fluid smells not burnt your probably fine taking the trip without the change.

 

[pcollins]

well considering it isn't really under as much pressure as an auto tranny, i would put Dex 1,2, or 3 in for all i care. its all ATF. hell if gear oil didn't get so thick i'd be putting that in! like br1 said above me, open the fill hole, if tranny fluid comes out, great. get some on your finger, check it out, look for metal shavings, smell it. if it doesn't smell burnt and looks clean, then put your FILL plug back in, examine the whole tranny for leaks, and leave it alone. if its burned or theres a bunch of metal shavings, change it.

My family has had 5 speed cars since the day i can remember, and we've never changed the fluid in them, and never had a problem. hell. we've never even changed a clutch before in our own cars. but i'm breaking that streak because my slave cylinder is shot