Transmission fluid level

[jtzako]

I ended up getting ahold of some ULV and added enough to get it into the right range. It seems to have also quieted the loud whining that was coming from the bottom of the engine bay.

I also tested with the B&M dipstick and before I added fluid, there was NO fluid on that dipstick. Now I get enough on there to call it good.

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[9zero1790]

sad so many left ford low on fluid. no wonder the hate for the 10r80 lol it may be a decent transmission if ford would have put the damn fluid in correctly lol.

 

[Tcarter]

I'm doing some checks on my new 2023 Ranger and wanted to make sure the transmission fluid is correct. It is on the diamond 2nd from the bottom. (between 5 and 6). This is with the engine running and up to temperature and on a fairly level surface.

Isnt that a bit low? If so, is there a specific fluid I need to add? (not remotely close to a dealership or I'd go there). I see it is 'Mercon ULV' but nobody around here seems to sell that. Not sure if there is an equivalent that works.

2020 SC FX2. 11, 700 miles. My dealer told me they can't check fluid due to sealed for life nature of the tranny which I now know is bs after reading this forum. My tranny seems sometimes to skip or search for gears. Usually around 2-4th. I plan to talk to the service Mgr on next oil change in Sept. SINCE I am concerned with it coming from the factory with low levels. How can you be sure they check it and don't bs you? If I would have known this was an issue I would have insisted it be checked when I purchased the truck before signing. Not much of a mechanic type guy and certainly don't want to get burned with up to temp check. Thx for the help!

 

[Msfitoy]

2020 SC FX2. 11, 700 miles. My dealer told me they can't check fluid due to sealed for life nature of the tranny which I now know is bs after reading this forum. My tranny seems sometimes to skip or search for gears. Usually around 2-4th. I plan to talk to the service Mgr on next oil change in Sept. SINCE I am concerned with it coming from the factory with low levels. How can you be sure they check it and don't bs you? If I would have known this was an issue I would have insisted it be checked when I purchased the truck before signing. Not much of a mechanic type guy and certainly don't want to get burned with up to temp check. Thx for the help!

Can't prove they checked the level but at least you'll know they took the cap off...

 

[Tcarter]

Can't prove they checked the level but at least you'll know they took the cap off...

Thx. So is that already on the bolt? I thought there was a short dipstick for checking fluid level per other posts.

 

[Msfitoy]

Thx. So is that already on the bolt? I thought there was a short dipstick for checking fluid level per other posts.

No...that's torque paint...Amazon or your local parts shop...do the same to the dipstick cap...

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=torque+paint

 

[Tcarter]

No...that's torque paint...Amazon or your local parts shop...do the same to the dipstick cap...

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=torque+paint

Good idea. Thanks again. Too bad we can't trust our dealerships.

 

[Rickfar]

ULV is very hard to find in my area too. I had to go to several places. Valveoline is the only brand i could find.
Unavailable from Local Vendor

Rock auto is your friend

 

[Swede726]

I found a pair of 11 inch 90 degree bent needle nose make checking the fluid easy. Just reach up with these to grab the dipstick.

 

[OldHippy]

ARE YOU SAYING THAT THERE'S A KIT TO EXTEND TO DIPSTICK?

Mike's has a perfect fit long transmission dip stick. I purchased mine about a year ago. But have been waiting for factory warranty to expire before installing it. Didn't want them saying that I caused the trans to blow up cause if adding the dipstick.

 

[Fitzmotor]

Here is a extended dipstick option if you are interested:

https://mikesbuildshop.com/

Except I'm on vacation at the moment, I will have more in stock in about a week!

 

[OldHippy]

Here is a extended dipstick option if you are interested:

https://mikesbuildshop.com/

Except I'm on vacation at the moment, I will have more in stock in about a week!

Thank you for updating. I do appreciate you for building these for us. Love mine.

 

[TJC]

Before filling CHECKING make absolutely sure your transmission fluid is hot, between 206F - 215F. You won't get it there by simply driving your truck until it is hot. You'll usually be at 195F - 200F and that 15F makes all the difference in the world. ULV has a dramatic expansion rate. It is very easy to overfill the transmission....

And you won't know it until you do hit the higher temps, when the fluid foams up and pukes out the transmission vent. Foaming fluid is not good for an already fragile transmission.

I started my truck and let it idle, tracking fluid temps vs time using a time piece and a ScanGauge III, which reads off the transmission's internal sensor. It took almost 39 minutes to reach 180F. I also tracked my fluid temps while driving a 40 mile round (shopping) trip, I stopped for 30 minutes at the 20 mile mark, then drove the last 20 home. When I pulled into the driveway my fluid temps were just reaching 175F. This was sustained speeds up to 55mph from most of the trip - 2 lane state highway with 4 of 5 stops / stop lights each way, but largely rural highway.

These are my results calibrated on the FitzStick (MBS Dipstick). These are definable/repeatable measurements taken on a 75F day (Truck sat 10 hours overnight, initial fluid temp (key on engine off) started at 77.9F.

The first measurement was taken after starting the truck, immediately shifting through the transmission from park to drive and back to park, then immediately taking the first measurement. The fluid just touches the tip of the dipstick...no more than 1/8". It didn't make it to the bend.

The Fitzstick makes this check very simple, accurate, and quick. The ScanGauge insure you know the exact temperature of the fluid.

Forscan may work as well. Disclaimer: I haven't tried to do this with Forscan, but I suspect you can see the temps using it.

 

[TerryW]

I'm doing some checks on my new 2023 Ranger and wanted to make sure the transmission fluid is correct. It is on the diamond 2nd from the bottom. (between 5 and 6). This is with the engine running and up to temperature and on a fairly level surface.

Isnt that a bit low? If so, is there a specific fluid I need to add? (not remotely close to a dealership or I'd go there). I see it is 'Mercon ULV' but nobody around here seems to sell that. Not sure if there is an equivalent that works.

Go with the level described in YOUR owners manual. I recall that it is different between some years.

 

[VESH]

Before filling make absolutely sure your transmission fluid is hot, between 206F - 215F. You won't get it there by simply driving your truck until it is hot. You'll usually be at 195F - 200F and that 15F makes all the difference in the world. ULV has a dramatic expansion rate. It is very easy to overfill the transmission....

And you won't know it until you do hit the higher temps, when the fluid foams up and pukes out the transmission vent. Foaming fluid is not good for an already fragile transmission.

I started my truck and let it idle, tracking fluid temps vs time using a time piece and a ScanGauge III, which reads off the transmission's internal sensor. It took almost 39 minutes to reach 180F. I also tracked my fluid temps while driving a 40 mile round (shopping) trip, I stopped for 30 minutes at the 20 mile mark, then drove the last 20 home. When I pulled into the driveway my fluid temps were just reaching 175F. This was sustained speeds up to 55mph from most of the trip - 2 lane state highway with 4 of 5 stops / stop lights each way, but largely rural highway.

These are my results calibrated on the FitzStick (MBS Dipstick). These are definable/repeatable measurements taken on a 75F day (Truck sat 10 hours overnight, initial fluid temp (key on engine off) started at 77.9F.

The first measurement was taken after starting the truck, immediately shifting through the transmission from park to drive and back to park, then immediately taking the first measurement. The fluid just touches the tip of the dipstick...no more than 1/8". It didn't make it to the bend.

The Fitzstick makes this check very simple, accurate, and quick. The ScanGauge insure you know the exact temperature of the fluid.

Forscan may work as well. Disclaimer: I haven't tried to do this with Forscan, but I suspect you can see the temps using it.

Appreciate this diagram. Used it for my fluid change and at cold start matched up with your line and after a 3 hr drive at high speeds fluid was in the 200-215 temp range lines

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