Transmission oil change in Ford Taurus HELP

yes, you pull off the pan. get a new filter while your at it. its not hard to do just very messy because there is about a gallon of fluid waiting for you inside

So, a gasket and a filter ? I assume you get a new gasket. How about atf. , is there a certain kind ? Thanks, Raz

You didn't mention the year, but it probably takes Dexron/Mercon which is still available at your auto parts stores at "formerly Dexron/Mercon". Anyway, check your owners manual for the spec because I didn't see what year you have. You should get a gasket along with your filter and probably a couple of O-rings along with it that attach to your filter. I prefer the rubberized gaskets, but some people like the cork. Because your torque converter doesn't have a drain plug, you will probably only need about 3-4 quarts of oil.

It is a 1996

It's not as you might think... here is the procedure:

1. Place the transaxle range selector lever in PARK and set the parking brake.

1. Note: The amount of fluid (fluid level) in the transaxle will affect the time it takes to drain the transaxle. Make sure to check the fluid level before proceeding.

Start engine and check fluid level of the transaxle.

1. Turn engine off.

1. Note: If the vehicle is equipped with an air suspension system, the switch must be placed in the off position before raising the vehicle.

Raise and suitably support vehicle.

1. Remove the retainer clip from the lower transaxle fluid cooler tube and fitting.

1. Note: On vehicles equipped with 5/16 inch cooler lines, use Disconnect Tool T82L-9500-AH to disconnect the transaxle cooler tube. Place the tool on the cooler tube and push the tool into the cooler tube fitting. This action releases the plastic retaining tabs which holds the cooler tube in place. Then, pull the cooler tube from the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle fluid cooler. On vehicle with 3/8 inch cooler tubes, pinch the plastic retaining tabs of the push connect fitting and pull the cooler tube to separate it from the cooler tube fitting.

Disconnect the lower transaxle cooler tube from the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle.

1. Attach a flexible hose approximately 0.9 meters (3.0 feet) in length to the end of the transaxle cooler tube and gently fasten the hose with a hose clamp.

1. Place the opposite end of the flexible hose into a suitable 14.2 liter (15 quart) container.

2. Note: When plugging the transaxle cooler tube fitting, make sure the plug is made of soft material to prevent damage to the internal seal of the cooler tube fitting.

Insert a plug into the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle to prevent any residual fluid leakage.

1. Lower vehicle.

1. Note: When the steady stream of fluid stops flowing the engine should be turned off to prevent damage to the transaxle. Engine rpm should not exceed curb idle speed while draining transmission fluid. Place selector lever in PARK and start engine. Run the engine at idle while observing the flexible hose attached to the transaxle cooler tube.

Run the engine at idle speed for approximately 40-60 seconds until the steady stream of transmission fluid stops flowing. This step will drain approximately 1.9-2.8 liters (2-3 quarts).

1. Fill the transaxle with 9.5 liters (10 quarts) of Motorcraft MERCON® (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting MERCON® specification.

1. Note: When the steady stream of fluid stops flowing the engine should be turned off to prevent damage to the transaxle. Engine rpm should not exceed curb idle speed while draining transmission fluid. Place the selector lever in PARK and start the engine. Run the engine at idle while observing the flexible hose attached to the fluid cooler tube.

Run the engine at idle speed for approximately 2-3 minutes until the steady stream of transmission fluid stops flowing. This step will drain approximately 9.5 liters (10 quarts).

1. Raise and suitably support vehicle.

1. Remove the plug from the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle.

2. Remove the flexible hose from the cooler tube.

1. Note: Carefully clean the cooler tube before installing it for a good connection and to prevent fluid leaks.

Install the cooler tube into the transaxle cooler fitting by pushing straight into the cooler tube fitting until a click is heard. Then, gently pull on the cooler tube to make sure the tube is locked in place in the cooler tube fitting.

1. Install the retaining clip over the cooler tube and fitting.

1. Lower vehicle.

2. Add 1.9 liters (2 quarts) of Motorcraft MERCON® (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting MERCON® specification.

1. Place the transaxle range selector lever in park, apply the parking brake and start the engine. Move the transaxle range selector lever through all ranges allowing the transaxle to engage in each position and return selector lever to PARK.

2. Check the transaxle fluid level. The fluid level at normal operating temperature should read within the crosshatched area of the fluid level indicator. If the fluid level reads below the crosshatched area of the fluid level indicator, adjust the fluid level by adding fluid in 0.2 liter (1/2 pint) increments until the correct fluid level is obtained.

1. Place the air suspension switch to the on position (if equipped).

Rob

These guys don't know what they're talking about. Here is the proper procedure:

1. Place the transaxle range selector lever in PARK and set the parking brake.

1. Note: The amount of fluid (fluid level) in the transaxle will affect the time it takes to drain the transaxle. Make sure to check the fluid level before proceeding.

Start engine and check fluid level of the transaxle.

1. Turn engine off.

1. Note: If the vehicle is equipped with an air suspension system, the switch must be placed in the off position before raising the vehicle.

Raise and suitably support vehicle.

1. Remove the retainer clip from the lower transaxle fluid cooler tube and fitting.

1. Note: On vehicles equipped with 5/16 inch cooler lines, use Disconnect Tool T82L-9500-AH to disconnect the transaxle cooler tube. Place the tool on the cooler tube and push the tool into the cooler tube fitting. This action releases the plastic retaining tabs which holds the cooler tube in place. Then, pull the cooler tube from the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle fluid cooler. On vehicle with 3/8 inch cooler tubes, pinch the plastic retaining tabs of the push connect fitting and pull the cooler tube to separate it from the cooler tube fitting.

Disconnect the lower transaxle cooler tube from the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle.

1. Attach a flexible hose approximately 0.9 meters (3.0 feet) in length to the end of the transaxle cooler tube and gently fasten the hose with a hose clamp.

1. Place the opposite end of the flexible hose into a suitable 14.2 liter (15 quart) container.

2. Note: When plugging the transaxle cooler tube fitting, make sure the plug is made of soft material to prevent damage to the internal seal of the cooler tube fitting.

Insert a plug into the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle to prevent any residual fluid leakage.

1. Lower vehicle.

1. Note: When the steady stream of fluid stops flowing the engine should be turned off to prevent damage to the transaxle. Engine rpm should not exceed curb idle speed while draining transmission fluid. Place selector lever in PARK and start engine. Run the engine at idle while observing the flexible hose attached to the transaxle cooler tube.

Run the engine at idle speed for approximately 40-60 seconds until the steady stream of transmission fluid stops flowing. This step will drain approximately 1.9-2.8 liters (2-3 quarts).

1. Fill the transaxle with 9.5 liters (10 quarts) of Motorcraft MERCON® (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting MERCON® specification.

1. Note: When the steady stream of fluid stops flowing the engine should be turned off to prevent damage to the transaxle. Engine rpm should not exceed curb idle speed while draining transmission fluid. Place the selector lever in PARK and start the engine. Run the engine at idle while observing the flexible hose attached to the fluid cooler tube.

Run the engine at idle speed for approximately 2-3 minutes until the steady stream of transmission fluid stops flowing. This step will drain approximately 9.5 liters (10 quarts).

1. Raise and suitably support vehicle.

1. Remove the plug from the transaxle cooler tube fitting at the transaxle.

2. Remove the flexible hose from the cooler tube.

1. Note: Carefully clean the cooler tube before installing it for a good connection and to prevent fluid leaks.

Install the cooler tube into the transaxle cooler fitting by pushing straight into the cooler tube fitting until a click is heard. Then, gently pull on the cooler tube to make sure the tube is locked in place in the cooler tube fitting.

1. Install the retaining clip over the cooler tube and fitting.

1. Lower vehicle.

2. Add 1.9 liters (2 quarts) of Motorcraft MERCON® (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting MERCON® specification.

1. Place the transaxle range selector lever in park, apply the parking brake and start the engine. Move the transaxle range selector lever through all ranges allowing the transaxle to engage in each position and return selector lever to PARK.

2. Check the transaxle fluid level. The fluid level at normal operating temperature should read within the crosshatched area of the fluid level indicator. If the fluid level reads below the crosshatched area of the fluid level indicator, adjust the fluid level by adding fluid in 0.2 liter (1/2 pint) increments until the correct fluid level is obtained.

1. Place the air suspension switch to the on position (if equipped).

below is FLUSHING procedure, you probably want to stick to a filter change.

There is no Ford in-vehicle service procedure for a AX4S transmission filter change on this Taurus.

You could do it.

Rob

$$$$$$$

probably because you need it replaced or rebuilt before the time comes ;)

Not if you follow Ford's service schedule, especially using Mercon V.

Rob

I think your lucky! Mine only made it about 80k, well maintained, driven easy. Cracked drum.....

I don't miss that car much, but it was pretty good other than that.

I wish mine was so lucky. I had it service every 20K up to 140K when a stuck thermostat fried it. !@#%! stock temp gauge never let on there was a problem!

Calvin