You may already know that transmission fluid is important for any car. It lubricates the parts of your car’s transmission fluid, so the engine runs at its best.
With all the different types of transmission fluids on the market, it can be hard to decide which one to buy. Different grades of transmission fluid have different sizes and other specs.
Depending on your type, the fluid can either clean the engine, stop it from wearing out too quickly, or stop it from going bad. There are a lot of uses. Because of this, it’s important to choose the right one.
Modern cars don’t need much maintenance as they did 25 years ago, but they still need to change their fluids, inspect, and adjust their parts. You don’t have to get a tune-up every six months or change the oil every three months, but your car still needs regular service and check-ups to last as long as possible.
Most of these recommended maintenance tasks are easy enough to do at home for almost no cost if you have a few simple tools and the time.
What kind of transmission fluid goes in a Ford F-150?
The Mercon series is used in Ford cars.
This type is called Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), and most cars today use it. It is an oil-based transmission fluid that is known for working well in hot weather and making car engines last longer. This product also works well in automatic transmissions that are controlled electronically.
Ford Motor Company only lets MERCON fluids be used in the way they are supposed to be used. The different MERCON® fluids are all unique and made for different uses. Their requirements DO NOT overlap, and if you use fluids that aren’t on the list, it could hurt the transmission or make it work less well.
When should you change the fluid in Ford F150’s transmission?
You’ll agree that Ford is one of the cars that is built to last the longest. Even so, you still have to check your car often to ensure everything is running smoothly.
When the transmission fluid is not pure, it can damage the transmission parts or cause the car to overheat.
As part of regular service and maintenance, the transmission fluid needs to be checked. In this case, you’re looking for signs that your car’s transmission fluid needs to be changed.
Ford says that you should change the transmission fluid in your Ford F150 every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or every two to four years as a general rule.
Keep in mind that this is what the average driver should do. If you often drive farther distances, you need to change the fluid more often.
Aside from how you drive, other things affect how often the transmission fluid needs to be changed. You may need to change it every 15,000 miles if you live in a warm area, drive a lot, or have a lot of stops.
If you have to push snow around a lot or if you are always pulling or hauling heavy loads. If you often drive with a lot of stops and starts.
When and how to check the transmission fluid in a Ford F-150?
It is very important for people who drive trucks, especially those who do a lot of towing and hauling.
Today, we’ll talk about how and when to check your F-150’s transmission fluid. After reading this, you’ll know if your Ford F-150’s transmission fluid needs to be changed.
Every 30,000–60,000 miles, you should change the transmission fluid in your Ford F-150. That’s about every two to four years. In Addition, if you live in a hot place, plow snow, do a lot of towing/hauling, or drive a lot of stop-and-go, you may need to change it more often, about every 15,000 miles. This means that it happens about once a year. You can only be sure if you regularly check your transmission fluid levels or schedule a Ford-certified technician to do so.
How do you check a Ford F150’s transmission fluid?
Follow these easy steps to check the transmission fluid in your Ford F150:
- Find the dipstick.
- First, you should open your car’s hood and find the dipstick.
- Use the lever inside your car to open the hood and the internal prop to hold it up securely. But be especially careful when you open the hood of your car.
- The engine is probably warm if you’ve been driving your car and could burn your fingers.
- We’d say to wait until the engine is no longer hot. But because transmission fluid expands when it gets hot, you’ll get a more accurate reading if the engine is warm instead of cold.
- Most Ford F150 trucks, especially older ones, have the dipstick on the passenger side or right to your left. And it looks like a yellow ring.
- In most newer cars, it’s usually on the transmission body.
- Check the level of the transmission fluid.
- The next step is to check the level of fluid in your transmission. Even though your dipstick has indicators for both the cold and warm levels, you want to look at the warm level.
- If your car engine is warm, you can expect an accurate reading. However, you want to find out if you can drive the car. If your car has been sitting still, drive it for a mile before checking the fluid level. When the engine is hot, the temperature of your transmission fluid should be between 150oF and 170oF. If it goes any lower, it’s time for a change.
- Look at the quality of the transmission fluid.
- You also need to check the fluid’s quality. Make sure to park the car on a flat surface. Take the dipstick out and check the fluid’s color and consistency.
It should ideally be bright red or, in some cases, clear. If the fluid looks dark red or black, it’s time to change it and filter. Don’t forget to keep the dipstick back in once you finish!
Important: If you aren’t sure how everything works, it’s better to take your car to a professional workshop.
Have you ever noticed that where you parked your car, there were oil stains?
This means that your oil is leaking, which could be a sign that something is wrong with the transmission fluid.
But to be sure, use the steps below to physically check the level and quality of the transmission fluid.
Related and frequently asked questions
1. Are Mercon LV and Mercon V the same?
Mercon LV is the most recent Ford ATF. The factory used to fill Fords from 2008 and later. “Low viscosity” is what “LV” stands for. It is a completely made-up ATF. It won’t work with older Mercon fluids, so you shouldn’t mix it with Mercon or Mercon V, which replace older Mercon fluids.
2. Can you use Mercon LV instead of SP?
Customers may still want SP sometimes. Even though LV is what Ford recommends as a replacement and what we use, you can choose to order SP fluid below. But Mercon LV and Mercon SP are different types of lubricants that are mostly the same. Hence, users can use both types of fluids in Ford cars.
3. When should I change the fluid in my 2016 Ford F-150 transmission?
Every 30,000–60,000 miles, you should change the transmission fluid in your Ford F-150. That’s about every two to four years.
4. How many quarts does the transmission of a 2015 F-150 need?
I put 4 quarts of Mercon LV in the transmission while the engine was off before it started to overflow.
5. What is automatic transmission fluid Type F?
Mobil Type F ATF is an automatic transmission fluid made from high-quality base oils with viscosity index improvers, antioxidants, anti-wear agents, and defoamants. Other special additives give it the controlled frictional characteristics of a Type F fluid in automatic transmission applications.
6. What is the same Mercon LV as a transmission fluid?
Dexron® VI/Mercon® LV Automatic Transmission Fluid is a high-quality, fully synthetic, multi-vehicle, low-viscosity automatic transmission fluid that is recommended for use in General Motors and Ford vehicles that call for Dexron® VI or Mercon® LV fluids.
7. What happens if I put the wrong fluid in my car’s transmission?
If you use the wrong fluid, you could end up with poor lubrication, overheating, or even a broken transmission. Even by flushing the transmission, a mechanic might not be able to fix the damage. You can also ruin your transmission by accidentally adding motor oil or brake fluid.
8. What kind of transmission fluid does a 2010 Ford F-150 need?
Your 2010 Ford F-150 may be the best car you’ve ever had. Or you may just be having trouble keeping it road-worthy. No matter what, Advance Auto Parts has the Automatic Transmission Fluid product you desperately need. One gallon of DEXRON®-VI ATF Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid from Valvoline.
9. How do you know what kind of transmission fluid a 2006 Ford F-150 needs?
Mobil 1, 1 Quart Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid.
10. What kind of transmission fluid does a 2015 Ford F-150 need?
DEXRON®-VI ATF
One quart of DEXRON®-VI ATF Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid from Valvoline.
11. What type of transmission fluid does a 2012 Ford F 150 need?
Lubegard Synthetic Transmission Fluid Synthetic 1 quart of Dexron VI.
Conclusion:
From what you’ve read, it’s clear that the transmission fluid you use in your Ford F150 is very important. The good news for you is to guess what type of fluid to use because it is available in your car’s manual.
If you lose the owner’s manual, go to the website of the company that made it. There, you’re sure to find what you need.