Originally posted by unisys12:

Now Ford recommends that you drain and refill with 4 quarts every 30k I think it is. That is what I was told by the service manager at my local Ford dealer, but I trust the folks around here a lot more. Most here will agree that doing this every 15k is about right. Exspecially if you drive your car hard.



FORD recommends Transmission service every 30,000 miles.
Transmission service requires COMPLETE fluid replenishment.
This requires the use of special machine that draws and replaces the ATX fluid completely,
via the transmission cooler line as the engine is running.

As the fluid gets older, it doesn't get thicker, it gets oxidized and becomes abrasive as unisys12 has stated.
This is NOT something you want to leave in your tranny.
Since you already have 50k miles, it is safe to say the tranny has NEVER been serviced.
I would suggest changing 4 quarts of ATX oil with every motor oil change for the next few oil changes, to gradually flush the transmission.
If you do it all at once, you will flush out all of the grit that is currently keeping your transmission working,
and it will force you to have to spend an exhorbitant amount of money
to have the transmission dropped, rebuilt and reinstalled.

Pete... 2004 Mercury Marauder 300A Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER DOB 10/31/2003 DOP 1/2/2004 www.mercurymarauder.net