Well after 12 years and 150k miles, the 4R70W in my F150 seems to be on its way out. It started out as a groan at cold that I thought was worn engine mounts, then a vibration in the gas pedal between 40-50MPH, and finally a significant drop in MPG (5-7 MPG per loss city and highway). Now the gas pedal will vibrate very noticeably when lightly accelerating between 40-50 MPH and some slipping is felt when medium accelerating during that range. I can still WOT and it'll downshift for passing.
Quite a shame because I've been very finnicky about maintenance.
I've gone through the five stages of grief and have a new vehicle picked out to purchase in a month or two, but I think I'll keep this truck and in my idle time attempt to rebuild the transmission. I've found more than enough resources on doing so, and rebuild kits and parts are plentiful and fairly affordable.
So with that in mind, are there any things I can do between now and when I get the new vehicle, to put as little stress as possible on the transmission? Below is a list of my initial ideas:
1. Try not to drive it often. I can make this happen now that the weather is nice and ride my motorcycle for most trips.
2. I've put in 20oz of Lubegard Red but haven't noticed any improvement yet. I'm only 50 miles on it so far, though, so that could change.
3. If 2 doesn't work, I'm also going to try some Lubegard Dr. Tranny just for kicks ($5 tube.. no biggie).
4. Turn off OD when driving unless I need to go on the highway. Most of my driving in the area is on 45MPH roads.
5. Go light on the WOT? Or go heavy on the WOT? I was always under the impression that hard shifts were BETTER for a transmission because you engage quicker and cause less friction and heat.
Quite a shame because I've been very finnicky about maintenance.
I've gone through the five stages of grief and have a new vehicle picked out to purchase in a month or two, but I think I'll keep this truck and in my idle time attempt to rebuild the transmission. I've found more than enough resources on doing so, and rebuild kits and parts are plentiful and fairly affordable.
So with that in mind, are there any things I can do between now and when I get the new vehicle, to put as little stress as possible on the transmission? Below is a list of my initial ideas:
1. Try not to drive it often. I can make this happen now that the weather is nice and ride my motorcycle for most trips.
2. I've put in 20oz of Lubegard Red but haven't noticed any improvement yet. I'm only 50 miles on it so far, though, so that could change.
3. If 2 doesn't work, I'm also going to try some Lubegard Dr. Tranny just for kicks ($5 tube.. no biggie).
4. Turn off OD when driving unless I need to go on the highway. Most of my driving in the area is on 45MPH roads.
5. Go light on the WOT? Or go heavy on the WOT? I was always under the impression that hard shifts were BETTER for a transmission because you engage quicker and cause less friction and heat.