How to Check the Fluid Level on a Ford 5R55X Transmission

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The concepts in checking a late-model 5-speed or 6-speed Ford automatic transmission are very similar to checking the fluid level in a differential. You remove a plug and see if some dribbles out. This article will walk you through the process, step by step.

Steps

1. 1
   Drive the vehicle for 10-15 minutes to warm it up. No need to get racy, just bring it up to operating temperature.

   
   
2. 2
   When you get back to your garage or favorite shade tree, drive it up on equal-height ramps or blocks. Give yourself enough room to work, and make sure it is both secure and level.
3. 3
   Move the range selector lever slowly through each gear. Stop in each position and allow the transmission to engage.
4. 4
   Place the range selector lever in the PARK position.
5. 5
   Set the emergency brake. Make sure the vehicle is stable. Get out and leave it idling in PARK and with the brake set.
6. 6
   Don your protective gear. Carefully crawl under the vehicle. Warning: The hot exhaust pipes will burn you in an instant! Move slowly and carefully; no need to rush.
7. 7
   Position your drain pan underneath the drain. Bring rags.
8. 8
   Hold the larger drain plug with a wrench and remove the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using the Torx bit. Don't loosen that larger plug or you'll be walking! The fluid that will come out will be very hot!
9. 9
   Keep the motor running until you have replaced the drain plug, tightening it to 89 inch-pounds (hand tight with a screwdriver-handled tool).
   • 

     A little bit of dribbling is O.K.
     

     Excess fluid draining out
     A little bit of fluid should dribble out - this is normal.

If you need to add some fluid

1. 1
   Keep the motor running. The transmission needs to have fluid actively being pumped into all the passages.
2. 2
   Screw your (clean) fluid pump onto your bottle of high quality transmission fluid.
3. 3
   Carefully screw the special Ford transmission plug adapter into the drain hole.
4. 4
   Push the output-hose onto the special Ford transmission plug adapter.
5. 5
   

   Pumping fluid into the transmission
   Carefully pump about half the quart into the transmission, then pause to check.
6. 6
   Make sure your drip pan is in place, then remove the hose and watch for fluid flowing out.
7. 7
   Once fluid starts flowing out you're almost done. You just need to be patient for a couple of minutes until the flood subsides, then wrap it up.
8. 8
   Keep the motor running until you have replaced the drain plug, tightening it to 89 inch-pounds (hand tight with a screwdriver-handled tool).
9. 9
   With the engine at operating temperature, and the transmission in park, remove the transmission dipstick located conveniently under the hood. If the level is in the crosshatch area, you are good. If it's low, add til full. If it smells burnt, have it flushed. No need to crawl under the vehicle to check the level unless you have a manual transmission.

   
   

Tips

• Time: Approximately 2.5 hours
• Applications: This was written for a 2004 Ford Explorer equipped with a 5-speed 5R55W automatic transmission. The same procedures should apply for other Ford vehicles with 5R555/5R55N/5R55W transmissions.
• FORD:
  • 2002-2005 Thunderbird
  • 2005-2009 Mustang
  • 2002-2009 Explorer
  • 2007-2009 Explorer Sport Trac
• LINCOLN:
  • 2002-2006 Lincoln LS
  • 2003-2005 Aviator
• MERCURY:
  • 2002-2009 Mountaineer
• As of this writing, the example vehicle has nearly 100,000 miles on it, with over 10,000 of those miles pulling a 4,000 pound full size travel trailer from the Southeastern US to the Southwestern US to the Rocky Mountains and to the Great Lakes. Under these severe conditions, the fluid is changed every 30,000 miles and the vehicle has no problems so far.

Warnings

• You will be doing this with the vehicle hot and idling. There is a world of instant pain and permanent scarring if you're not careful here. Wear long a heavy sleeve shirt with a high wool or cotton content.
• Throughout this whole process you have to keep your motor running, because as soon as you turn it off, fluid will start draining out of passages and cooler lines down and out of your transmission. That's bad.
• About over-filling and under-filling: Others have published research on what happens if you get too little or too much fluid in an automatic transmission. Neither is good. Over-filling can cause foaming, excess pressures, and leaks. Under-filling can cause slipping, starvation for lubricant, and wildly fluctuating pressures. Both cause premature transmission failure.

Things You'll Need

A Torx T-30 driver. A special Ford transmission plug adapter (available from Summit Racing [1]) An oil pump, designed to fit your transmission fluid bottle (available from your local auto parts store). A drain pan to catch drips and overflow. 4 equal-height blocks or ramps to raise the vehicle. Rags. Protective gear: Long pants Sturdy shoes Long sleeve top, such as an old cotton sweatshirt Mechanic's gloves Eye protection Article provided by wikihow the wikihow manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Check the Fluid Level on a Ford 5R55X Transmission. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Supplies for the job, note the tire on blocks