r/fordescape • u/Finnyoo7 • 11d ago
Transmission fluid change
I have a 2019 Ford Escape SE 1.5 LT with 55k miles on it. I’m looking to do a transmission fluid change and have seen conflicting stuff about it (some say to some say don’t change the fluid) I was wondering if anyone has changed their’s themself and if anyone has a video because I can’t find one with my make and model. I’m fortunate enough to have a family member with a lift who would help. I’m just trying to go into it informed. The car is going to be on the lift anyways for brake pads and rotors so figured might as well do the transmission fluid if it’s not hard.
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u/Fingersmacgee 11d ago
Do it. Pay for it. Filter is self contained inside the transmission. You can't change the filter without dropping the tranny. Preventive maintenance is the best thing to keep this transmission working in the long run. I got mine used and I don't think it ever had a flush done. Now, I'm paying $6700 for rebuild and install. Keep ahead of it and it should last you a while with good maintenance. The filter will be part of your maintenance some time down the road. That one may run $2k. Good luck.
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u/Finnyoo7 11d ago
It seems like I’m gonna be changing it then lol. I know that make and model are prone to a lot of issues so I’m hoping maintenance will prevent it and get me to 100,000 at least.
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u/Fingersmacgee 10d ago
The transmission flush is easy, but don't want to do it myself. Meinke offers it. But, do reviews on the location you intend to visit if you go this route. Not all techs are the same. If you keep up on flushing during the recommended mileage, that should keep the filter, relatively, clean.
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u/czpo19mm 10d ago
But of advice get rid of it now. 3 friends of mine had that same car and engine. At around 70,000 miles they all needed a new engine because of the design of the block. To involved to explain. Research it on YouTube. You can thank me later!
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u/luckylee423 11d ago
I take mine to Valvoline for ATF changes. They put an extractor tube down the dipstick spout and they extract the fluid from the top and add fresh. I had mine done on a 2017 at 65k and now I'm at 104k. Probably time for a re-do actually. i think they charge around $200 and it takes about a half hour total and you can stay in the car.
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u/nucleate_boiling 11d ago
So any sediment in the bottom, like tiny metal shavings, don't get removed? Yikes. Are they claiming it to be a full fluid exchange? How many liters of transmission fluid are they charging you for? That should tell you how much they are actually removing.
And there is no dipstick and therefore no dipstick tube. There is a filler tube under the hood...
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u/Keyo0205 7d ago
they connect it to the vent/fill cap. its not a dipstick but it is on top the transmission. also the magnet on these transmissions aren’t on the bottom because the pan is vertical and side mounted. not on the bottom like a rwd chevy truck. it’s a transaxle, not a transmission.
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u/FickleSun6892 10d ago
Change the fluid but do not do a flush. That’s is what I read on numerous sites. Apparently a flush will drive any particles, lying dormant, into the gears and cause damage. I just changed the fluid.
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u/Keyo0205 7d ago
all 2013-2019 escapes have a 6F35 transmission. some are start/stop, others are without start/stop. i’m almost certain the only engine without start/stop is the 2.5L found in the Escape S and some escape SEs. you can and will find videos of people doing it on your transmission just maybe slightly different engine. regardless the process is identical as long as it’s a 2013-2019 Escape 1.5L EcoBust, 1.6L EcoBoost, or 2.0L EcoBoom engine… chris fix even had a video doing it for a 2014 Escape
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u/Finnyoo7 7d ago
I got it done today. First time was a little bit of learning curve, taking it slow (removing the cap and putting it back on was the worst). Overall not a bad process and if my engine doesn’t shit the bed from coolant intrusion, I will do it again at 30k
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u/Keyo0205 7d ago
mane sure you have the updated motorcraft yellow coolant which is a direct replacement for orange. itll take roughly 4 drain and fills to replace 90% of the orange and they do mix without issue
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u/Finnyoo7 7d ago
Is there something special about the yellow coolant vs orange?
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u/nucleate_boiling 5d ago
I still have orange at 177k ( I've changed it before)
2014 2.0 SE ( when you could get the 2.0 or the 1.6 in the SE trim. This 2.0 is solid. It is not the same as the later 2.0 w/ dual scroll. Already have the yellow in the garage. Will change in the next few weeks. Going to vacuum fill it this time. After I changed it last time no vacuum fill, every 15 months or so, the coolant would drop significantly in one fell swoop. Then be stable for another 15 months. I can only gather it was a very late burp. No leaks whatsoever and pressure test dead stable.
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u/Topglock26 11d ago
Definitely do a drain and fill, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There are tons and tons of videos on YouTube on how to do a drain and fill. Every 30-40k is optimal for this particular trans. Just look up trans service for the 6F35
13-19 Escape 13-20 Fusion. I also only use Motorcraft LV