Hi, good afternoon. We took in our 2014 Ford Fiesta automatic today for a recall on the shuddering transmission/clutch. It could be as simple as a computer reprogram to a full clutch change. Our local mechanic who we trust and have used for years says that after the work is completed we should have the transmission fluid changed regardless. However the service tech at the Ford dealership said that is not necessary. Any suggestions on which way to go? I don't want to not do anything and possibly damage the car but I also don't want to pay $130 for a flush I don't need. Thanks and I appreciate the help.
If your dealer actually services the transmission, i.e. removes transmission parts using hand tools and wrenches and buckets for fluid, etc. They *will* refill your trans with fresh fluid, and will probably replace the filter as well, as the car would not drive well at all without those. So there should be no need to visit your independent mechanic. If the dealer simply does a software update, they probably won't touch the transmission at all except (maybe) to see if your fluid level is good. Modern transmission fluids can last as much as 100k-200k miles without being changed, so unless you're one serious mega-commuter (like 60+ miles a day), you're probably safe on the transmission fluid the car received at the factory.
Also, speaking from my experience you should NEVER flush a transmission, the only reason to do so would be to completely remove a foreign substance(like motor oil or antifreeze) from the transmission. It's safer to just change the filter and whatever fluid is in the pan, as a "flush" doesn't necessarily mean you're getting your transmission fluid filter changed.
Thank you for responding. The dealer's reason for not having to do it was that it is a 'dry transmission.' My mechanic said the reason for doing it is that with the shuddering during first and second for all the miles on it it would be a good idea to do a change. The recall was sent out over a year ago but for some reason the dealership we bought it from must have not registered it correctly. My mechanic found out about the recall and let us know. When I contacted Ford they showed the vehicle's VIN in their system but not that the car was registered to us. This is the fourth Ford we've owned and all the others have shown as being our cars.
As far as intervals I would love to get your take on when to have it done. The car has about 53,000 miles on it but it is driven about 95 miles a day.
The trans is a manual trans modified to shift electronically. It has TWO clutches and Ford has had pure fits with them. The trans though not much trouble. You wouldn't do a 'flush' there as a fluid change would be like doing one on a manual transmission. Ford just calls it an automatic because driver doesn't shift it.
The DCT or 'dual clutch transmission' and I would keep any mechanic other than a dealership one as far away from it as possible as you may well be looking to use warranty, thousands are.
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