How To Change The Transmission Fluid On a Super Duty

by Dan Ferrell

Mark Renders/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the transmission oil at proper intervals, usually between 15,000 and 24,000 miles (24,000 and 32,000 km), to get rid of metal, dust and other particles that accumulate and cause internal damage over time. However, to make the most of this maintenance task, you should drain the oil when warm and follow the proper procedure to help the pan gasket seal and prevent it from developing leaks.

Removing the Transmission Oil

Step 1

Park your Super Duty on flat, level ground.

Step 2

Start your vehicle and let the engine and transmission warm up, if you have not driven the truck just prior to the oil change. Then turn off the engine.

Step 3

Set the transmission to neutral (N), raise the front of the truck with a floor jack, and support it on jack stands.

Step 4

Chock the rear wheels.

Step 5

Place a drain pan underneath the transmission oil pan.

Step 6

Using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket of the appropriate size, begin to loosen and remove the side and front bolts from the oil pan. Be careful, as hot oil might begin to flow out of the pan as you finish removing the bolts.

Step 7

Separate the pan from the transmission, if necessary, by striking the pan lightly with a rubber mallet.

Step 8

Start to loosen the pan rear bolts with the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

Step 9

Hold the bottom of the oil pan with a shop rag before removing the rear bolts completely. Then use the ratchet extension and socket to remove the rear bolts.

Step 10

Lower the oil pan in a level position over the drain pan and gradually tilt the pan to drain the remaining oil.

Step 11

Remove the pan, pan gasket and drain pan from the vehicle.

Replacing the Transmission Oil

Step 1

Remove oil, dirt and grease from the oil pan and transmission mating surface using a shop rag and soft brush.

Step 2

Cover one side of the new pan gasket with a light coat of petroleum jelly to help it hold to the oil pan.

Step 3

Set the oil pan and gasket in place underneath the transmission and start the mounting bolts by hand.

Step 4

Begin to tighten the pan mounting bolts evenly and alternately. The pan gasket should form a good seal between the pan and the transmission but should not be overtightened.

Step 5

Lower your vehicle and add the type and amount of new transmission oil recommended for your particular truck year and model. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual, if necessary. Add the oil through the oil dipstick tube and use a funnel to prevent spills.

Step 6

Start the engine and bring the transmission up to operating temperature, between 150 and 170 Fahrenheit (66 and 77C). Then turn off the engine.

Step 7

Pull out the transmission oil dipstick and wipe the oil off the dipstick with a clean shop rag or towel.

Step 8

Insert the dipstick fully again in its tube and pull it out. The oil level should be in the cross-hatched area of the dipstick. If you have to, add transmission oil in increments of a half-pint (0.24-liters) to avoid overfilling the transmission.