My truck, 1996 F150 with 5.0 has 371,000 miles on it and I have never had the Automatic transmission fluid or filter changed. Is it safe to change it without damaging the transmission?

First, check to make sure your fluid level is correct. That is most important. 50k miles is a bit too many miles on a transmission oil change. Off the top of my head I think Chevy want it every 35k? Could be wrong. Whatever you do, DO NOT do a flush, do a oil change WITH filter. If your pickup filter is plugged that could cause a ton of problems.

If your automatic transmission fluid has not previously been changed, it would be a good idea to change the fluid at this point. With 100,000 miles on the transmission, it would also be a good time to drop the transmission pan and change the internal filter, too. That's a messy job, and one that I have started paying people to do--good thing you only do it about every 75,000-100,000 miles.

Ordinarily, it's a pretty good idea to change the transmission fluid every 50-60,000 miles, especially if you do a lot of start and stop driving or especially if you use your vehicle to tow anything. Fresh transmission fluid will probably help your truck shift a bit more smoothly. More importantly, the fresh dose of lubricants and the like will reduce wear on the transmission bands. I'd rather change my fluid more often than have to rebuild my transmission. With proper maintenance, though, your transmission should last well past 150,000 miles; I've seen Toyota transmissions with well over 200,000 miles on them with fluid changes as their only maintenance. Some have made it close to 300,000 miles with only fluid and filter changes, but I wouldn't count on that for the average transmission.

The 04 was pretty straight forward.

Change the oil and filter when the display tells you to. (Don't forget to reset Oil Life system!)
when the display tells you to change engine oil... Do the following as well:
~Lube Chassis Components
~Check Tires for Air and Damage
~Inspect Break System
~Check Engine Fluids and Washer System
~Check Power Steering System
~Check Wiper Blades
~Check Restraint System
~Lube Body Components (See manual)
~Replace Cabin Air Filter (Located in firewall on passenger side.)


Every 25K miles do the following:
~ Inspect Fuel System, Exhaust System, Accessory Drive Belts for damage or wear.
~ Replace Air Cleaner

Ever 50K Miles
~ If used for Towing - Replace Transfer Case Fluid :: If not change fluid ever 75Kk miles.

Every 100k Miles
~ Change Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter
~ Change Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter again at 150k if heavy service
~ Replace Spark Plugs

Every 150k miles
~ Change Engine Coolant (Or every 5 years which ever comes first!)
~ Replace Engine Accessory Drive Belt

optional y are supposed to change the transfer case fluid every 50k if towing

WELL BACK IN THE DAY.OLD RULE CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 6000 MILES AND CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER 24000 MILES OR 24 MONTHS.

It's listed in your owner's manual. Schedule A is normal driving conditions.
SCHEDULE "A"
7,500 miles (12 000km) or at 6 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.

15,000 miles (24 000km) or at 12 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.

22,500 miles (36 000km) or at 18 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.

30,000 miles (48 000km) or at 24 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (4.7L).

37,500 miles (60 000km) or at 30 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (5.2L/5.9L).
- Drain and refill transfer case fluid.

45,000 miles (72 000km) or at 36 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.
- Flush and replace engine coolant at 36 months, regardless of mileage.

52,500 miles (84 000km) or at 42 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if not done at 46 months.

60,000 miles (96 000km) or at 48 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace ignition cables (5.2L/5.9L).
- Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace as necessary (5.2L/5.9L).
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid (4.7L).

67,500 miles (108 000km) or at 54 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.

75,000 miles (120 000km) or at 60 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (5.2L/5.9L).
- Drain and refill transfer case.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if required.

82,500 miles (132 000km) or at 66 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.

90,000 miles (144 000km) or at 72 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace as necessary.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid (4.7L).

97,500 miles (156 000km) or at 78 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.

105,000 miles (168 000km) or at 84 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000 miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if required.

112,500 miles (181 000km) or at 90 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (5.2L/5.9L).
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000 miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.

120,000 miles (192 000km) or at 96 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace ignition cables (5.2L/5.9L).
- Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace as necessary.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid (4.7L).

Thanks for using FixYa -a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

check the tranny fluid, make shure the fluid is pink and not brown, when was the last time the fluid and filter where changed?

No. It is still safe to change the transmission fluid and filter, in fact, it is recommended. Just make sure your fluid level is correct when you are done.

It's very possible. Crud builds up over time due to the heat in the transmission. A fluid flush and filter change is a good idea. You may end up doing it twice - automatic transmission fluid is a great detergent and new fluid may dislodge crud inside the transmission, which will fill the new filter and clog it. Swap it out a second time and you're golden.

Check the transmission oil cooling radiator [and fan(s)] to check for proper cooling--blow out the radiator fins with compressed air. Check the color of the transmission fluid to make sure that is not being contaminated.

It is most likely a plugged filter. I would try performing a transmission service on it and change the filter. What is happening is that the pump will only **** for a bit until a greater demand is on it. Once the pump is stopped ( shutting engine off) the fluid migrates back into the filter and fills it up. Engine is started and trans will work ok until all fluid is exhausted out of filter and it "gives out". Try this out first, it is a cheap start, and most likely is the problem.