I just got this car as a graduation gift from my dad. I’m super grateful, but I know these cars have a reputation for unreliable transmissions. I want to make it last as long as possible since I’ll be driving it for a few years before I can think about selling it. Any advice on how to take care of it and avoid major issues?
Just flush the transmission fluid every 50,000 miles and don’t drive it like you’re in a race. You’ll be fine.
Funny enough, I’ve heard from a Ford mechanic that driving it hard sometimes is actually good for it. I’ve got 125k on mine, and it performs better when I avoid stop-and-go traffic and give it a good highway run once in a while.
As an engineer, I can say that occasional hard driving can help with engine wear. Pistons stretch slightly under stress, and if you only baby the engine, it could develop uneven wear in the cylinder sleeves. That can cause problems if you push the engine later.
Makes me feel better about how I drive my 300k-mile Corolla. Still running strong!
Wait, so the pistons extend further when revving high? Never knew that.
Yep, but it’s only by a tiny amount. Still, it matters when we’re talking about metal stress.
So flooring it once a week or so is a good idea?
Once a month is fine as long as it’s safe. Also, change the oil regularly—clean oil means less wear overall.
Good to know. My car has 250k km, and I don’t know its full history, but I’ve been keeping up with oil changes. Do you recommend changing other fluids like brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid?
Absolutely. Brake fluid every 2-3 years, coolant and transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. Changing fluids on schedule is one of the best ways to extend a car’s life.
My dad used to call it ‘blowing the carbon out.’ He drove slow most of the time but occasionally pushed the car hard.
Older engines needed that more because of carbon buildup. Fuel additives and a good hard drive could help clean them out.
It’s a race-style transmission. Drive it hard—it’s better that way.
It’s basically a manual transmission controlled by a computer. Avoid creeping in traffic and give it firm acceleration when needed. Also, check if all the recalls and software updates have been done.
I got 150k miles out of mine before the transmission clutch failed. It lasted surprisingly long for a car with that reputation.
Make sure to use Ford’s transmission fluid specifically. Don’t just grab any ATF.
Change all the fluids—oil, brake, transmission, coolant—and check all the filters. If it’s been a while, replace the belts, too. A well-maintained car will last you longer.
Honestly, trade it for a Toyota if you can. Way more reliable.