Changing transmission fluid

[wsd890]

How often should it be changed, have a 03 pace arrow, put 7000 miles on it, recently start towing a vehicle behind it. any suggestions ?

[chasfm11]

In your shoes, I'd start with the manufacturer's recommendations (transmission, not MH.) If it is a Ford chassis, they would be the ones to ask.

Our Allison has different change intervals, depending on whether you use their synthetic oil or not. On my passenger cars, 5 years/35, 000 miles is my rule of thumb unless the maker says something different. We had a 1989 Ford Econoline until just over a year ago and I kept the transmission fluid changed in it as described.

MH transmissions take a lot more abuse than a car transmission would, especially if you do a lot of mountains. Changing the transmission fluid on a unit with a pan (ours has a drain plug, just like an engine) can give your mechanic a chance to physically examine what is happening inside. Metal filings and discolored fluid are tell-tale signs of problems. A transmission can fail without either of those but watching them can lower the odds, IMHO.

To me, the transmission may be the most valuable part of the chassis. I always error on the side of too much maintenance rather than too little.

[bbeane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsd890 How often should it be changed, have a 03 pace arrow, put 7000 miles on it, recently start towing a vehicle behind it. any suggestions ?

As O/P said read your owners manual for your chassis, the recomended change intervials will be there. Your trans in a M/H is considered extream duty service, so with that said considering the cost of the trans these days and fluid flush, filter change every 2 years/ 15000 miles by a good trans shop is cheap insurance.

[JimM68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbeane every 2 years/ 15000 miles by a good trans shop is cheap insurance.

Check your owners manual, but I don't believe there is a trans in the world wanting 2/15k

[Gary RVRoamer]

Agree - 2/15k would indeed be extreme. Might be appropriate if its a light truck tranny trying to do duty for a large motorhome, but an '03 Pace is proably on the Workhorse W22 chassis with an Allison tranny. 5/75k is more likely for that.

Allison's website has a change interval calculator that will give you the answer. See
Allison Transmission

[deblas]

Every year I dump only whats in the pan and replace with new. Change the spin-on every other year. Some may disagree with that approach but its cheap, easy and at least some of the fluid is refreshed. I'll never meet the mileage requirement and kind of a PITA to flush.

[bbeane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68 Check your owners manual, but I don't believe there is a trans in the world wanting 2/15k

Jim
I Didn't say required 2yr/15k, all I said was cheap insurance. Heck I change my allison 3060R every 2 years (filters and 5 gallons of syn fluid), it's a bunch cheaper than a new allison Trans. Also mentioned to check the owners manual as well.

[Benny367]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsd890 How often should it be changed, have a 03 pace arrow, put 7000 miles on it, recently start towing a vehicle behind it. any suggestions ?

My 2006 F53 chassis owners manual states to change the transmission fluid and filter every 30,000 miles. I do not believe that you have a spin on transmission filter on your 2003 F53. 2006 was the 1st year for the remote mounted transmission filter.