Automatic transmission fluid change on a ford focus?

Answer 1

The owners manual and the Ford Website state the fluid is to be changed at 60,000 miles, a flush and filter change at 150,000 miles.. My dealer keeps trying to get me to do a fluid change at 30,000 miles, where the service only requires the fluid level to be checked at this mileage.

Counterpoint to the above; while it might not be required, and the dealership service department is in business to make a profit, it might be in this one instance they are actually giving good advice to do a flush and fill every 30,000 miles. Consider that replacing your transmission will cost you somewhere between $2500 and $3500 and during that time you'll have no transportation. There is no doubt that more frequent fluid changes will not harm your transmission, and will most probably extend it's life. Spending $100-$150 every 30,000 miles seems like insurance to me. But the choice is certainly up to each individual.

As for the original question, Ford recommends flushing and filling your automatic transmission verses simply changing the fluid. This is because when draining the fluild in a conventional manner, you leave roughly 2/3 of the dirty Transmission Fluid in your torque converter. Flushing the system captures most of this fluid and replaces it with fresh fluid, therefore extending the life of your transmission. Just about any quality transmission shop can do flush and fills, in addition to the dealership.

If you have to do it yourself for financial reasons, I would suggest buying a good manual and spending some time with it before attempting it, rather than trying to do it by following instructions online.