Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Special Tools

Illustration	Tool Name	Tool Number
	Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) software with appropriate hardware, or equivalent scan tool

Material

Item	Specification
Motorcraft Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid XT-8-QAW (US); CXT-8-LAW12 (Canada)	WSS-M2C924-A

NOTE: MERCON®, MERCON® V, MERCON® SP, Motorcraft Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid and Motorcraft Continuously Variable Chain Type Transmission Fluid are not interchangeable transmission fluids. The use of any transmission fluid other than what is recommended for this transaxle will cause transaxle damage.

Draining

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING AND LIFTING article.
Remove the transmission fluid drain plug and allow the transmission fluid to drain.

Fig 1: Locating Transmission Fluid Drain Plug

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Refill

Install the transmission fluid drain plug.
- Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).

Fig 2: Locating Transmission Fluid Drain Plug

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the transmission fluid fill plug.

Fig 3: Locating Fluid Fill Plug

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fill the transaxle with approximately 4.7L (5 qt) of clean transmission fluid.
Install the transmission fluid fill plug.
- Tighten to 39 Nm (29 lb-ft).

Fig 4: Locating Fluid Fill Plug

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

With the selector lever in PARK, the vehicle should be on a level surface, the engine at idle (680-780 rpm), foot pressed on the brake, move the selector lever through each gear and allow engagement of each gear. Place the selector lever back in the PARK position.
Wipe the transmission fluid level indicator cap and remove the transmission fluid level indicator.
Wipe the transmission fluid level indicator with a clean cloth.

NOTE: In order to get an accurate transmission fluid level reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface. Idle the engine to reach the normal operating temperature. Using the scan tool, verify that the transaxle is at normal operating temperature 60°C-70°C (140°F-158°F), prior to adjusting the transmission fluid level.

If transmission fluid needs to be added, add transmission fluid in 0.25L (1/2 pt) increments through the transmission fluid fill plug located on the top of the transaxle near the transmission fluid level indicator. Do not overfill the transmission fluid. Install the transmission fluid level indicator back in the transmission fluid filler tube until it is fully seated, then remove the transmission fluid lever indicator. The transmission fluid level should be at the uppermost mark on the transmission fluid level indicator. Only fill to the uppermost mark on the transmission fluid indicator. Do not overfill. Damage to the transaxle will occur.

Fig 5: Locating Fluid Level Indicator

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The correct transmission fluid at normal operating temperature of 60°C-70°C (140°F-158°F) is between the top 2 marks on the fluid level indicator.

Fill the transaxle to the correct transmission fluid level.

Fig 6: Locating Temperature Marks On Fluid Level Indicator

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The correct transmission fluid level at cool operating temperature of 15°C-25°C (59°F-77°F), is at the bottom mark on the transmission fluid level indicator.

If the Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) is low, fill the transaxle with transmission fluid to the cold range on the transmission fluid level indicator. Recheck the transmission fluid level when the transaxle has reached the normal operating temperature.

Fig 7: Locating Bottom Mark On Fluid Level Indicator

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.