Low transmission fluid

[760magneticranger]

Hey guys,

My 2019 Ranger currently has 59,000 miles on it and has been having some weird shifting issues between 1-3 gear and then occasionally 6-7th gear, for a couple months now. I changed the EGR DPFE sensor but that didn’t help any. I had checked the transmission fluid last week and it was good at the 4.5 mark, but after reading on the forum today I realized that I was checking it wrong. I was checking it with the engine off, rather than on. I’m not sure I was the full 205 degrees but it was after a 90 mile drive with a fair amount of uphill, so I’m sure it was close.

Today I checked it after the same drive, with the engine running, and I’m right at the 6 mark. (lowest mark on dipstick) Do you guys think this would explain the shifting issues ? I did change the fluid in between these dipstick checks but was very careful to make sure I measured exactly what I pulled out (via a pump) and put that exact same amount back. I fear I may have been one of the unlucky fellas that’s Ranger came from the factory with an under filled transmission and the result of that is just now starting to make a difference in the transmission’s performance. Would you this add up and what do you think is the best course forward ? How much fluid should at a time to try and get the level up to the 4-5 mark ? I’ve read overfilling may be worse than slightly under filled, but I have a feeling mine was more than “slightly” under filled.

Note:
The first time changed the fluid and filter, I got just about exactly 7.5 quarts out of the pan. This was after parking the Ranger for 2-3 days (plenty of time for all the fluid to pool up in the pan). I put that exact same amount back in. I then drove it for a few hundred miles, dropped the pan again and got 5.6 quarts out the second time. (The truck only sat for. Few hours this time before changing the fluid, so not as much time for the fluid to drain to the pan). But again, I made sure to add that exact same amount back.The goal was to get as much fresh/cleaner fluid into the transmission without actually doing a full flush. The fluid was also dark as motor oil.

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[Old Red Replacement]

What transmission pan you have?
It spilled a quart on ground when I took off the OEM pan .
I put on the extra capacity PPE pan and added 6 1/2 QTs with funnel and plastic tube from top .
Then I added transmission dipstick .
It barely showed on end. They sent another insert 1/2 in longer.

5K later I drained it, less comes out than you put in? Refill with new Amsoil ULV stuff. Towed trailer 500 miles,stop & go 50%, ran 195F on my temp gauge except for heavy stop go traffic went to 205F.

My point is it hard to get fluid hot enough for correct dipstick reading and OEM cap & dipstick sucks.

I added 8 QTs and it showed high on dipstick than before I drained it so I took out one qt and adjusted it.

IMO it should come with drain plug & dipstick from factory and whoever put cap on it and up by hot converter needs to be talked too.

 

[SKULLZONE]

The transmission let go in my 2020 at 59640 miles. Shifting problems at steady speed between 25 and 55mph. Worse at lower speeds. Replaced under Power Train warranty, going to pick it up this morning.

 

[got3fords]

Throw a bottle of Lubegard in it and recheck level.

 

[harringtondav]

I recently installed a Fitzstick, PPE pan, new OEM filter and a qt. of Lubegard. ...no problems at 32K, but I want to avoid them.
The fluid was low cold, but I wanted to sneak up on the refill to avoid overfilling. When I did the warm up drive I could hear the solenoid valves buzzing and chattering and found the dipstick dry, but shifting seemed OK. So low fluid could have affected your shifting.

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