[Nevada]

(clip)...Doing multiple subsequent changes is sort of a diminishing return situation since the cost and amount of waste generated goes up quick.

Mercon LV does get dark really quick. Unlike other ATFs, you can't really judge the fluid condition by the color because it gets dark so quickly (fluid is still fine). Part of me thinks Ford deliberately formulated it with an unstable red dye to scare people into changing their trans fluid sooner.

It is interesting that it was slightly overfilled from the factory. Perhaps they err on the side of caution in case their fluid guns lose calibration or if the vehicle were to experience a leak. But the other interesting question is if you could get away with draining it and filling it with exactly 4 quarts and skipping the level check. Did you happen to measure how much came out on your final fill?

You are correct about diminishing returns. By my calculations, the first drain/fill leaves you with 44.4% new fluid, the second drain/fill leaves you with 69.1% new fluid, and the third drain/fill leaves you with 82.9% new fluid....it does drop off quickly. If the weak red dye was a strategy for Ford, they got me. I kept draining and refilling because the color of the fluid stayed unusually grey, even after multiple drain/fill cycles. Also, I had plenty of fluid, I bought the 6-gallon box from Rock Auto for about $ 90. See photo. The part number is XT-10-6GLV.

I did not measure how much came out from the final drain cycle, although that is a very good idea. I will update in 25,000 miles with that info.

 

[Nevada]

Hello Nevada, thanks for taking the time to post this. I'm getting ready to do a tranny fluid change in my 2017 and it's a bit different from changing the fluid in my 2013.


Question: did you reassemble everything before you took your warm-up drives or did you leave the hard pipe over the fill cap off until you finished?


Again, thanks for your post - very helpful.

I reassembled everything except the cover that goes under the engine/transmission.

Drain and refill the PTU while you are under there. You will be glad you did.

 

[Nevada]

Does this procedure apply to the 2016 model or were there changes between '16 & '17. Also what is "PTU"

It would apply to your Escape if you have all wheel drive.

The PTU is the device that transfers power to the driveshaft that powers the rear wheels. It is on the passenger side of the transmission, right behind the engine oil pan. It takes about a half a quart of 75W-140 synthetic gear lube.

 

[Nevada]

I usually use Motorcraft fluids. Having a hard time location the Motorcraft 75w-140 for the the PTU. What brand did you use when you changed your PTU oil?

Does it really matter as long as it is a full synthetic 75w-140?


Thanks for your help!

I used Motorcraft fluid that I purchased from the dealer because I am still under warranty. I think any 75W-140 synthetic is fine, but I like to play it safe until the warranty runs out.

 

[Nevada]

Some if not all have no drain plug, just a fill. You would need to suction it out through the fill. I have a mity-vac fluid extractor that works great for things like this. Handy gadget, mine is the pneumatic type which runs off an air line/compressor. Works great for lawnmower oil changes and things as well.

What klc317 said. No drain plug. It looks like they used different fill plugs over the years. My 2017 is just a 3/8" square. I was able to coax a 3/8" breaker bar into the space to get it open when I did mine. I was not able to extract as much as I would have liked, I think my hose was too stiff. I wasn't too worried about it because the condition of the fluid I extracted was very good. I did it at about 26,000 miles.