10th Oct 2018, 14:32

No trans issues on our company cars. The oldest a 2010. The biggest issues are ongoing air conditioning big repairs. Recent bill 2700.00. Fan relays. Even the cooling fan by the radiator. With the My Touch introduced later, very expensive. Whole dash out. New engine in one at 234,000 miles. The upside is the great size and driving. Nice storage. Dependable, but repair bills can be high on the above. Mileage high so not a surprise. Hope this helps.

10th Oct 2018, 15:05

Try adding some Motorcraft "friction modifier" to the transmission along with a fluid change. It just might give you some borrowed time or even another 20-30k more miles.

10th Oct 2018, 19:06

The bad deal is there isn’t a trans dipstick, just a plug. So you have no idea of the actual level. We stopped and did trans flushes at 50,000 miles. Takes a quick stop, maybe 15 minutes to have it done. As a result, no trans issues even over 200,000 miles now.

11th Oct 2018, 16:03

Either they changed it on the newer models or you just can't find it. We had a 2008 Edge in the family and I did a fluid change on it twice, and the only place to add fluid is the dipstick tube.

14th Oct 2018, 19:21

No dipstick on newer models. In fact many newer cars do not have them. Not everybody has a lift to elevate while running and using a finger to see it topped off.

15th Oct 2018, 16:17

Various BMW models don't even have a dipstick to check regular motor oil, imagine that. German engineering at its best.

16th Oct 2018, 12:46

I drive a lot. Hit Quick Lube every month. Even full service, they told me they do not check as it’s sealed. Imagine that. So I make an extra stop at the dealer to see if any is needed to be added. No doubt another cost saving when cars are built. And no spare tire usually. None of my vehicles have a radiator cap any more you fill the reservoir. It used to be easy to change coolant. I usually drop the bottom hose, not the petcock. Pull the thermostat and flush refill. No CD player. I even miss the small window vents from the past.

16th Oct 2018, 14:42

"Not everybody has a lift".

Yeah, now tell that to the manufacturer who designs them so the average car owner can't even check the fluid under the hood standing on their feet using a rag, then people wonder why newer transmissions fail at early mileage... Ahhh, modern technology.

17th Oct 2018, 14:07

Please, I used to work at a Quick Lube many years ago. I'm sure things haven't changed much today. They don't care and all they want is your money.

I can tell you that I was the best employee they had because I treated every vehicle as if it were my own, such as checking ALL fluids and actually topping them off as needed.

Other technicians would just do the obvious and add washer fluid, or have no knowledge and print the paperwork up stating that the chassis was sealed when it had 8 grease fittings or stating the rear differential was N/A on a Chevy Caprice.

I'll never forget the time when a little old lady dropped off her Cutlass Ciera and the history in the data system showed she had only put 600 miles on the car in 3 months and the oil was clean as a whistle. The manager told another employee to wipe the filter clean, check the level and close the hood.

17th Oct 2018, 19:25

Even with a home lift, it involves more jacks making the car exactly level. Then the car is running to perform it. You can’t single floor jack or use ramps to do this in your driveway if that’s your thinking. By the way, free standing lift kits are really inexpensive today. And if you have garage height, they have real appeal for added car storage when you sell. I’d recommend you pay a professional to install. A nice Christmas gift for yourself!

17th Oct 2018, 20:31

Right on, it's almost like things such as transmissions are so complex these days that only the dealership can diagnose or repair them, and cost you an arm and a leg.

18th Oct 2018, 17:30

You're getting a little too excited. I seriously doubt that the average Joe is going to purchase a lift for themselves just to check transmission fluid. The fact of the matter is that it's a ridiculous procedure these days just to check fluids, and shouldn't involve purchasing a lift, whether they are inexpensive or not.

19th Oct 2018, 20:00

You can get a garage lift kit for only 2-3 grand. Free standing. Depends on your ceiling, and that’s often actually able to be addressed even with cutting, moving and bracing wood trusses. And re-drywall. Or maybe not needed cut at all. Have it a while and you can recoup the costs, extending the life of the car being indoors, oil changes etc and perhaps increasing the value of your home with a 3 car garage. These are kits, some do themselves, bolt together, or have a professional do it. Not a lot of money as you are thinking. Worth every penny.

20th Oct 2018, 13:28

All that just to check transmission fluid on a newer vehicle. Yeah, definitely worth it.

20th Oct 2018, 18:00

Not a lot of money as I am thinking??

Again, talking about checking basic fluids and how unnecessary it is to need a lift to check them, whether a lift is expensive or inexpensive. Case closed.

21st Oct 2018, 20:06

What if someone lives in a condominium, maybe then they can get permission from the HOA and install the lift in their personal parking space.

22nd Oct 2018, 02:48

Seriously, where are you trying to go with this? The past few comments are more than likely referring to car owners (maybe not you and maybe not me) whom are not mechanically inclined but yet know how to check vital fluids. Used to be a simple thing to do in your own driveway, but not any more.

My car is a older RWD V8 body on frame configuration. Pretty easy to do anything, and I have the privilege to use my friend's shop to do whatever I want. Nobody touches my car but me.

Let's get to reality here, the average person who checks their own fluids is NOT gonna go through the whole procedure of remodeling their garage (if they have one) and purchase a lift.

22nd Oct 2018, 10:23

An average guy can afford a 2 grand lift. I walked in our garage and the ceiling was perfect. Had a dedicated outlet. No cutting the ceiling.

By the way, changing your oil alone can in time pay for a lift. Especially synthetic oil used on sale. It’s not that complex and beats laying on the ground. A wrench, oil filter wrench and a funnel. Cars are complex; this isn’t at all for many people.

Here’s the routine that I have and others I know with them. We have drive on lifts. Drive in and roll the oil pan underneath. Loosen the oil pan bolt. Go inside and watch TV for a half hour. Replace the bolt. Unthread the old filter. Replace. Lower the car and fill with oil. I did 4 cars including my parents easily in one afternoon.

Also keeping your car indoors, out of elements keeps it nice and safe. It looks new years later. You can park your daily driver underneath and it's the exact same as without a lift. Drive it in and out just like before. I know my wife likes having a space. Look at the Internet under kits. You would spend more remodeling a bathroom. And average people buy them. It’s nice having the free space underneath even without a 3rd vehicle. Even just to roll the recycle can underneath. Just a suggestion. You can park your crossover Edge inside. In a half hour I have a car to use vs drop off somewhere. Cleaning your wheels is nice. I would recommend aluminum accessories lighter to remove ramp pan. If you have existing ceiling height, it’s a strong consideration. Might up the value of your place too. Good luck.