The Ford Edge hasn’t been around for as long as some of Ford’s other nameplates, having only come onto the market with the 2007 model year. Over the three generations it has been available, the Edge has maintained a fairly consistent powertrain configuration. It started with a six-speed automatic and eventually evolved over the years to support an optional seven-speed or eight-speed automatic transmission attached to either the EcoBoost I-4 or the EcoBoost V6. Regarding transmission repair, maintenance, and service schedules, you don’t have to worry about anything too out of the ordinary, whether you have a newer generation Edge or bought an older used Ford Edge for sale to fit your midsize SUV needs.
In the newer generation Ford Edge, the two automatic transmission options are available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and have fairly straightforward maintenance routines. This keeps maintenance requirements and service schedules relatively simple for owners to understand, especially since you don’t have to worry about manual transmissions, dual-clutch designs, or four-wheel drive iterations. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take extreme care with your Edge and keep the transmission running in the best condition possible. Doing so will give your vehicle a long, healthy life on the road.
What Are the Recommended Transmission Service Intervals for the Ford Edge?
Keeping your Edge running like new includes regular service for vital components, including the drivetrain, arguably the most important aspect of a vehicle’s service routine. The transmission, in particular, should be inspected after 30,000 miles. If you drive your Escape hard, putting it through its paces on long commutes or occasionally driving through difficult terrain for work or travel purposes, it won’t hurt to have it serviced for an inspection at 20,000 miles instead of 30,000 miles.
Thanks to apps like the FordPass, you can be reminded when to get vital components like the transmission checked during the scheduled service intervals. This is a good reminder in case you forgot when to get the Edge serviced according to the owner’s manual.
If you drive your Edge casually, it’s suggested that you get the transmission fluid serviced for a fluid flush around the 150,000-mile mark. It’s also common to have the differential fluid flushed and changed at the same time as the transmission fluid. However, some long-time Edge owners have noted that they could get better functionality out of the Edge by changing the fluid between the 60,000 and 70,000-mile mark instead of waiting until 150,000 miles, as the owner’s manual suggests. This comes back to how frequently and hard you drive the Ford Edge. In fact, some owners will get the transmission inspected every 30,000 miles, and the fluid topped off every 30,000 miles, with a full flush in the 120,000 or 150,000-mile range for optimal performance. It all depends on how hard you drive the vehicle and how often you get it inspected, as some mechanics may inform you that everything is fine up until the required fluid flush at 150,000 miles.
As a rule of thumb, there is no harm in inspecting or changing the fluid more often than recommended. If you’re one of those hard drivers, you may extend your transmission’s lifetime by doing so. The only downside is the additional cost of transmission services you may not need if you’re a more gentle driver. However, the cost of a complete transmission repair or replacement by not servicing it frequently enough can be far more than a few extra fluid changes.
Is There a Difference Between Servicing the Seven-Speed or Eight-Speed Transmission?
Older generation Ford Edge models with the six-speed automatic transmission don’t have to worry about whether or not their transmission requires any kind of special service. All of the older generation models run the same transmission. However, since the 2021 model year Edge, most trims have an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the top-of-the-line Edge ST includes a seven-speed. It’s easy to assume the different models might require different maintenance levels, but the maintenance and service intervals for both transmissions are the same. The seven-speed in the Edge ST is exactly the same as the other models but is programmed to skip second gear to enhance performance. There is no difference in the service requirements between these transmissions because, under the skin, they are mechanically identical.
What Sort of Transmission Service Can You Do Yourself to Maintain Your Edge?
Getting your Ford Edge serviced every so many thousands of miles is helpful, but you’re probably wondering what you can do on your own to help improve the transmission performance and longevity without requiring a certified mechanic to look at it every 30,000 or so miles. One of the things you can do is to check the transmission fluid on your own just to see what the fluid levels are. This gives you an opportunity to see if the fluid needs topping off or if you need to change it. You will need some special tools because modern vehicles like the Ford Edge do not come with transmission fluid dipsticks.
It’s still possible to check your transmission fluid the same way you can check the engine oil, but it will require a third-party transmission dipstick. These are fairly affordable, enabling you to check the transmission fluid levels quickly and easily. With a third-party dipstick, you can see the fluid level and whether the fluid is a normal color, burned, or filled with particulate matter. However, if you’re uncomfortable checking the transmission fluid levels yourself, it’s probably best to leave it to a certified technician.
What Edge Transmission Service Should You Leave to the Pros?
If you’re not a serious mechanic and don’t know your way around your Ford Edge, it’s important not to do anything that could jeopardize the vehicle’s integrity. If you’re uncomfortable checking your transmission fluid, then leaving the service requirements to the professionals is fine. If you know your way around the Ford Edge’s transmission and understand how to use a third-party dipstick to measure the fluid, then you could technically refill the transmission fuel at the appropriate intervals, but if you don’t know your way around the vehicle, then it’s not safe at all to try to check or refill the fluid on your own.
Additionally, if you have or notice any issues with how your transmission performs, then it’s clearly time to get your Edge serviced. This can sometimes include issues with a transmission fluid leak, which can result in problems with your vehicle’s performance. Alternatively, if you notice a knocking sound, rough shifts between the gears, or the vehicle has trouble moving forward or backward, then you may be experiencing more serious transmission issues. If this happens, have the vehicle serviced immediately by a professional mechanic so proper diagnostics can be performed.
The most clear indicator you will need to have your transmission serviced is from the service light on the instrument panel. However, if you smell fluid burning or hear knocking, rattling, or experience any other issues associated with delayed shifts from the transmission, then it’s clearly time to get the vehicle serviced, regardless of any warning lights. It will require certified technicians to do proper diagnostics on the Edge and provide you with the necessary feedback on what kind of maintenance may be required.
Keeping Your Ford Edge Transmission Running in Proper Order
Even if you don’t know your way around your Ford Edge mechanically, you can maintain its components and operation in top condition by following the owner’s manual to schedule service and keep the vehicle running as intended. Following the intervals for regular transmission inspections according to the recommended notes in the owner’s manual, or according to some people who have driven the Edge for several hundred thousand miles, is a good way to keep the vehicle around for a long time. If you do know your way around your Edge mechanically, and you are comfortable with manually taking the steps to check the transmission fluid, it can go a long way in increasing the longevity of the vehicle and reducing the potential problems you might encounter over the long run with the health of the transmission.