I have a 99 Ranger with the 5 speed manual transmission and the 3.0L engine. I know you need to change the transmission fluid every once in awhile. I have heard that changing it may cause more problems but i have only seen people say this for automatics. Will changing the fluid on the manual cause problems? about how often do you need to do it on a manual? I googled and found the manual pdf which says use "2.65L (2.8 Quart) of MERCON ATF" for the 5 speed, should i use that or use something more specialized? any other tips?

 

How many miles are on your '99?
For automatics Ford revised the fluid to MerconV.
I bet the newer MerconV makes little difference in a manual but I do not know.
It'll be good to lose 23 years of wear bits.
Measure the volume of the fluid you drain from your gear box.

I drained my in-law's 5 speed and over half the fluid was gone!
There were no apparent leaks nor any after fully refilling.
It sure made shifting feel solid.

 

+1 ^^^

The drain and fill holes/bolts are both on drivers side of trans

Its good to go for a drive for 15+ minutes to warm up the trans fluid
Then park it and drain it

You do need a "pump" of some sort to get ATF back into the Fill hole, or some remove the shifter and pour it in that way, users choice, if you remove the shifter BE SURE TRANS IS IN NEUTRAL before pulling it out
You can buy "bottle pumps"

I have a funnel with a hook and a long hose, I strap it to drivers door mirror and put hose in Fill hole, lol

Mercon V is what Ford recommends, some like the Synthetic version, again users choice

Generally when I have refilled my current and past M5OD-R1 transmissions it will only take either just under or just over 2 quarts, never the full 2.8 quarts

 

it has around 165000ish miles
thats why i was asking, i dont know if putting the V vs non will do much in a standard but i have no clue.