# 2012 Ford Mustang - should I follow manufacturer ATF advice?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-ford-mustang-should-i-follow-manufacturer-atf-advice/167146>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mustang, ford\
**Created:** [July 11, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-ford-mustang-should-i-follow-manufacturer-atf-advice/167146 "2020-07-11T15:45:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MikeVenaglia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@MikeVenaglia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeVenaglia)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-ford-mustang-should-i-follow-manufacturer-atf-advice/167146/1 "2020-07-11T15:45:37Z")

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Should I follow my owner’s manual instructions that call for never changing the automatic transmission fluid? I have always changed this fluid at 30,000-50,000 miles.

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-ford-mustang-should-i-follow-manufacturer-atf-advice/167146/2 "2020-07-11T16:54:05Z")

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No. Keep doing what you’ve been doing. It will prolong the life of your transmission.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-ford-mustang-should-i-follow-manufacturer-atf-advice/167146/3 "2020-07-12T13:50:21Z")

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There is no harm in changing the fluid more often that Ford recommends, none.

Go ahead and have it changed… and HAVE it changed. The little short dipstick is a real pain to fill and check levels through.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-ford-mustang-should-i-follow-manufacturer-atf-advice/167146/4 "2020-07-13T13:01:59Z")

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I change mine around 40,000 miles, and I’m a cheapskate.