Dealer charged $421 for 60K CVT transmission service - CVT Filter and Fluid Change

[timothywwc]

I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle SE and loving it!

I went to Courtesy Ford Dealer in Portland (Oregon) for the 60K CVT transmission maintenance. The dealership charged me $421 to have the CVT transmission service "Change automatic transaxle fluid and high pressure case filter". The price is for both the fluid and case filter.

There is no a repair, just regular 60K service.

$421 seems very expensive just to service the CVT transmission (CVT Fluid Change + Case Filter).

Just curious, how much did you pay for your 60K regular service for your CVT transmission?

[Jack Watts]

I called around when I did mine, and was quoted anywhere from $270.00 to $360.00. So, it seems pretty high, but not crazy.

I did mine myself, and it was under $100.00--and about 3 hours of my life. It'll definitely be faster for me the next time, though.

[timothywwc]

Thanks Jack, unfortunately, I am not mechanical savvy,

I should have followed my instinct. I won't go back to Courtesy Ford Dealer again in Portland, Oregon.

Tim

[Cuda_Jim]

I did it myself and paid $120 for both filters and the fluid, took about 1.5 hours. The dealer is always more expensive. The fluid is $18/qt.

[Jack Watts]

Originally Posted by Cuda_Jim

I did it myself and paid $120 for both filters and the fluid, took about 1.5 hours. The dealer is always more expensive. The fluid is $18/qt.

Jim, did you think that pan filter was worth changing? Was there much dirt in the pan/filter? I'm unsure whether to mess with it at the next change or not, since the HP filter should catch most stuff before it gets to the pan. How much sludge/dirt was in the pan?

[timothywwc]

Wow, the material only costs about $100 but the labor is $300!
Those are good money, I mean for the dealership

[Cuda_Jim]

Originally Posted by Jack Watts

Jim, did you think that pan filter was worth changing? Was there much dirt in the pan/filter? I'm unsure whether to mess with it at the next change or not, since the HP filter should catch most stuff before it gets to the pan. How much sludge/dirt was in the pan?

The pan had a light coating of black material like pencil lead (normal). The magnet was bristling with it. I'm not a trans expert but I think the fluid is cleaned by the pan filter first. The HP filter is probably even finer.

The factory recommends not changing the pan filter or to flush the cooler...."the flush may dislodge debris then allow it into the trans afterwards". They actually expect you to replace the cooler .
Well....the fluid in the cooler was very black, 'pencil lead'. I fell pray to their paranoia and added a Magnefine filter in the return line. Removed it after ~500 miles.....clean as a whistle.

The car had 100K when I bought it....all fluids & filters were changed. I was pleasantly surprised to find the trans had been serviced at least once because the drain plug had been replaced. Hex key vs. the original torx head that usually strips out.

[Palouse]

I paid closer to $500 for mine to be serviced this week at 39k miles, but that included =(2*(drain,fill,drive,drain))+(final fill)+(both filters).

[mmsstar]

FWIW mine it was a little over $500 which included oil change & filter, fuel filter and 4 wheel alignment

[KAH]

FWIW mine it was a little over $500 which included oil change & filter, fuel filter and 4 wheel alignment


Could you please give a break down on your $500 expense. I am
curious what you paid for the fuel filter. My local dealer wants $ 89
to replace the fuel filter.

Thanks,
Ken H.