Automatic Trans Fluid Change 2006+
 

Hey guys,

I went to change my transmission fluid today, took one bolt out of the pan, and then decided to flip through my Haynes manual before I went any further just to make sure I took all of the proper steps. Well, there was a note in there that stated that on 2006 and on 4.0 SOHC Rangers (5R55E) the transmission is "filled for life" and that the manufacturer does not recommend replacing the fluid. Skeptical, I took out the owners manual, flipped through to the back and found the section on checking automatic transmission fluid. It stated that the transmission does not consume fluid, and that the fluid should be checked in the event that the transmission is not operating properly, or develops a leak. I've heard of sealed for life transmissions before, but not on a Ranger, but sure enough, when I checked the dipstick, the level was fine and the fluid was a clean, clear red. I'm pretty convinced that I can take the 10 quarts of Mercon V and the trans filter back to Pep Boys. Is there anybody out there who thinks this "filled for life" stuff is voodoo and that it should be replaced anyway at normal intervals?

Thanks,
Mike

I'd return the stuff. How many miles do you have?

I'm at 65,000. Way overdue for a fluid change on a conventional automatic, but I think I might be lucky enough to put 75 bucks back in my pocket.

I wonder if thats for the 5R55E on a 3.0L too.. cause i'm coming up on 50 000KM

I think you might be out of luck man, the Haynes manual said 2006 and higher, but for 75 bucks in your pocket, it's definitely worth looking into.

call the dealer and ask?

Believe it or not, I did that. They were kind enough to quote me a flush for $130 and a fluid/filter change for $70....although I don't think that I was talking to a tech.

hmm I need to check mine, will do before leaving today...

You have the 5r44e

i've changed the atf in my 2005 twice in 60k like i should. im not a real believer in fluid for life..

This is quite common for the ford 5speed auto tranny. Our 2003 mountianeer didn't even have a dipstick. I never changed it either. Up around 60k miles you could tell it wasn't shifting as smooth as it did when new. We traded it off (for the ranger) so I never go into changing it.

Fluid degrades and gets dirty. That is a fact of life. Now maybe the tranny filter and the top quality mercon V fluid will go 150k miles.. but in my truck 4 qts gets drained every 10k miles. ;)

Rich

Hahaha.....
Do you remember Ford's advertising slogan from the sixties 'lubed for life' ball joints? Not sure if these actually had plugs that were removable or not, but I prefer to squirt some grease in my '00's periodically.
Same goes for my 5-spd. slushbox, I replace the fluid every 4th. oil change (12k). Adding a drainplug in the pan makes this super easy. Your truck probably calls for Dexron/Mercon type 5 which I believe is all synthetic as opposed to type 4 for which my dipstick commands. Changing the fluid every 12k might sound like overkill, but with all the stop and go driving I do I think it's worth it. Besides that, not all of the fluid is replaced, just whats in the pan, about 6 quarts I believe.
Go with your intuition, if you tow with your truck or carry loads regularly I'd change it. Remember that saying " An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" ?

I put a drain plug in my pan.. 4qts is what drains.

Rich

Ford claims 100,000 miles till a changing but i never believed in that so every 50k for me

My 69 Cougar had the lubed for life upper control arm bushings and the lubed for life ball joints. Most of the damn things started squeeking right off the assembly line i bet.

Well, I can tell that it doesn't shift as smoothly as it used to, it gets a slightly noticeable amount hung up on the 1-2 shift, but, the fluid looks clean and the level is fine. If it starts acting up, I'll change it anyway. Rich, when you added the pan drain plug, did you just tap the pan or weld on a bung?

a stamped steel pan won't be thick enough to simply tap a hole.

That's what I was thinking, but I've never taken the pan off before, so I wasn't sure if there was a spot thick enough to do it. Either way, I'd probably still weld on a bung or at the very least a nut.