Change Transmission Filter: How Important?

My 2000 is over due for a fluid change and I was thinking of extracting the fluid, overfilling, and running about 4 quarts out of the disconnected top radiator cooling line.

And NOT dropping the pan and removing filter.

There is Mercon V in there and I'm going to replace it with Mobil 1 I think.

But what is the usual experience with filter replacement?

Do most people find the filter dirty and in actual need of replacement? Or not dirty at all but might as well replace since pan is off?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

PS. Don't like the default font (like in this PS), how to change default to Ariel?

I have changed my tranny filter several times ....but it probably is almost never necessary. What the filter usually catches, is not sludge, but small metal slivers ... and not many of them. It would be different, if there has been some major mechanical failure ... shedding a lot of metal. But for normal wear and tear ... forget it! From now on, I don't intend to drop the pan.

The filter is advised to be replaced every 100k miles only; if it's less than that since the last replacement, then forget about it.

It surely filters small particles; if left unattended for a long time it will clog and keep the fluid from flowing. It happened once to me with another car and it would act like it was in neutral until pressure from higher revs caused it to break free. took it to a shop and they wanted to install a new transmission, a friend told me to replace the fluid and filter first and the car is still running with no problems at all.

Oscar.

In 140K-ish miles on my '00, I've only changed the transmission filter once.

However, I've use the drain-through-a-cooler-line-and-refill method to change the fluid on a regular basis. Fresh, frequently-changed fluid is the key to long life for Windstar transmissions. My transmission is still original - no service outside of the above-mentioned frequent fluid changes and one filter replacement - in spite of many miles of trailer towing (note that I added an auxiliary cooler for towing).

I guess it depends on where one lives. In areas with severe winters I was told it helps a lot to have a very clean filter when temps get real cold. If you don't fluid flow will be slower until oil warms up and tranny won't shift on its own for several minutes, you have to manually engage second gear and then wait for OD Off to stop flashing before you can shift back to D. PITA every winter and the Windstar is but one of many Ford models that have this issue. You know Ford is in deep trouble when we experience transmission issues that even a CARAVAN does not have. :D