Scotty, I have a 2017 Ford F250 Super Duty Diesel with 61500 miles. I recently took it in for scheduled maintenance which, according to my owner's manual was only supposed to require changing the fuel filter and a multi point check up. I might mention here that my truck is used almost exclusively for driving around our small non congested town and 10,000 mile of the 61500 was pulling a 16ft enclosed trailer with not much in it. When I came back to get it, I was surprised to find out they had flushed and replaced the transmission, transfer case and differential fluids for an Additional $760. When I pointed out to them that the owner's manual didn't recommend that until 150,000mi [based on how I use my vehicle] they tried to tell me that my manual was not specific for my truck [it actually is] and that they were going off of their computer which was taking into account my location and climate. I live in southeast Missouri and the weather here is pretty moderate. Lastly, according to the manual, changing those fluid at 60,000 mi is only necessary if the truck had been used pulling the maximum loads in harsh climates. My question to you is what is your opinion on when these fluids should be changed given how I use my truck.
60k is kind of a milestone for trucks.
So, I would have done all those services anyway.
But the prices you paid are big time gouging.
(Obviously ... stealership)
fluids for an Additional $760.
I paid $400 to do those same services last year, and the guy is really good.
I was surprised to find out they had flushed and replaced the transmission, transfer case and differential fluids for an Additional $760.
You should not pay for work you did not authorize.
Do not go to dealers or chain shops - they're terrible.
Find a local honest independent mechanic.
what is your opinion on when these fluids should be changed
FIRST OF ALL, the shop SHOULD NOT have done work you didn't explicitly authorize.
Although this not an excuse for their actions,
I'd say 60k is about the right time for a first ATF replacement, perform further replacements (NOT FLUSHES!) each 40k.
Your truck has either a ZF 6HP26 (6R80), same tranny as mid-2000s BMWs, Audis and Jags and on those it's best to replace the ATF every 40k miles - it's well built, but it makes sense just to be sure.
In case you have the awful 10 speed (rare for 2017), then it service it way more frequently - the 10 speed is awful!
ARTICLE ON THE 10R80's ISSUES: https://www.drive2.ru/l/585663390823746266/ (requires translation)
- A design / manufacturing defect in the oil pump gear drive (whining noises)
- The overdrive clutch is known to wear out extremely prematurely (reduced performance)
- Friction packs are of crap quality and get worn out prematurely (slipping, limp mode)
- Valve body faults, stuck TCC solenoid (slipping, shuddering, poor shifts)
- P parking pin were installed improperly / not installed at all (P gear not working)
- The crappy plastic AT oil pan is tiny thus causing overheating (error messages, limp mode, poor shifts)
The article adds: "It's pretty much guaranteed that the owners will encounter an issue at under 45k miles",
"If you think Ford has fixed those issues since launch, you're mistaken." and finally adds
"Ford has a history of releasing poorly built transmissions and failing to remedy issues"
I agree with you
Did they take advantage of you? Is the Pope Catholic?
"Take advantage" is about the mildest way to describe what they did. A more accurate description would not be appropriate for a family-friendly forum. Find a good local mechanic, and stay away from chain shops as well as dealers.
If they did work you didn’t authorize, then they took advantage of you.
The argument here is what constitutes a 60,000 mile service? Is it as stated in the owner's manual or just whatever the dealer thinks they can get away with? Sounds to me like they just got away with it.
I think they were wrong to do the work without telling you, and charged you a dealer-rate. However I think for longevity purposes having that work done definitely was not a bad thing.
I'd try to find someone new to work on the truck moving forward.
