Transmission fluid

DO u guys think its better if i drain/flush my transmission fluid myself or do u think its better if i give it to a mechanic to do it for me?

For those who think u should do it urself: How the hell do I drain the fluid? I dont know where the cap is under the car. anyone know?

Based on all the trouble I read about Explorer transmissions, I would recommend only a full fluid flush...it can be done by yourself by disconnecting one of the cooler lines, dumping it into a bucket, pouring the good stuff down the dipstick tube.
My 2000 came with Mercon V, which I understand is a semi-synthetic, which ought to come out maybe every 50,000. I'm gonna put in a full synthetic, that will last 100,000 plus the trans will love it!

so what type of transmission fluid should i use? mercon V?

Can't tell the players without a scorecard. What year, engine, and miles. I'v found a lot of these very dirty. If it is, several pan drops are recommended. Whatever you find in the pan, twice as much sediment is still in the transmission. Flushes are popular because, let's face it, people are lazy. If this is an earlier V6 then make sure you get a felt filter and not a metal screen. Throw in extra magnets. Fluid won't save your transmission, get an additional cooler. Those that change fluid often are masking transmission heating problems. The seals are still cooking and that is where most of the problems develop. Don't use Mercon V pre 97.

There is no drain plug on the Tranny pan. The most common method to drain the old fluid is to drop the pan. I have heard that is to "encourage" you to change the filter at the same time. It IS a good idea. You CAN tap the pan and install a plug the first time you drop it. (I wouldn't. Changing tranny fluid is not like changing oil. You might do it twice during the time you own it.)

I do lots of stuff myself, but was convinced to do a real "flush". It involved circulating new fluid under pressure for 10 minutes or so, draining that out and doing one final fill with brand new fluid. It made a HUGE difference! Normal cost is around $60 - $65 but I thought it was worth it. Doing several changes to "clean it out good" is going to add up. Tranny fluid is quite a bit more than oil (non-synth).

BE REAL CAREFUL about type of fluid. I have a '96 V8 and the Ford website gave me a different answer than my local dealer. (No, I did NOT let the dealer do the flush! :grinno: )

Noxfer which ford website did u go to?

Noxfer which ford website did u go to?

http://www.fordvehicles.com

You have to go to "My Ford" (tab in upper right) and sign up. They didn't ask anything too difficult :biggrin: or too personal. That's where just about all of the service/maintenance info was.