I am in similar position with my '08 @ 159k miles. Would love some feedback.

As far as I see it if you are ok with the worst case scenario - the tranny shits the bed - then no reason not to. I would like to get another 120k minimum out of my escape, so I am saving up some extra cash in case the tranny goes since it would be worth to me to rebuild/buy a used one. Once I have it saved I am going to start regularly changing my tranny fluid.

 

Not that I plan on following it, but the factory normal service interval for transmission fluid for your Escape is...150,000 miles! I plan on doing it much more frequently (I am at 32,000 in my 2017, likely before I hit 40,000 miles I will do it).

Yes, you should still do it! Mercon LV really seems to oxidise and turn dark pretty quickly. This is my first Mercon LV vehicle, all my more recent ones use Mercon V and have 30k mile drain intervals, and same transmission same fluid in newer years is also 150,000 miles drain interval now. I know there have been some improvements to help, and the last year they did go to Mercon LV, but still seems like a long time.

Special Operating environments like dusty, offroad, high idle periods (taxi, cop), towing, etc it is 30,000 miles.

 

Not that I plan on following it, but the factory normal service interval for transmission fluid for your Escape is...150,000 miles!

Looked it up and you're right.... Looks like I will just go ahead and do a drain and refill.

 

Not that I plan on following it, but the factory normal service interval for transmission fluid for your Escape is...150,000 miles!

Looked it up and you're right.... Looks like I will just go ahead and do a drain and refill.

2008 is C4DE and Mercon V, and 2009 is 6F35 and Mercon LV, so be sure to check and get the right thing, and OP has a 2009 and you have a 2008.

I don't know how many quarts these take for a drain and refill, but on my car with 320,000 miles I have done 11 transmission fluid changes, 10 quarts each, at $4 a quart, and $450 bucks seems like a bargain compared to a new transmission. I would say the transmission is at about 90%, it leaks a tablespoon worth through the front pump (sits in the bell housing, and leaks a little to the ground), and sometimes when I am coasting for awhile then go WOT it doesn't exactly know what gear it should be in, but it never was smooth in that situation.

Other than hating the smell of old transmission fluid, and my old car having a pan and no drain (and I have long hair, which soaks up a lot of fluid), it couldn't be easier with the Escapes, even with an under engine plate.

I have never done a fluid change on a C4DE or 6F35, but will be soon, 2x 6F35, and seems pretty easy other than needing to check the level with the car level but from a plug removed in the side, I will measure what I get out and fill that much and go from there.

 

Check you color before doing anything. If it's red you shouldn't have to do a change. But in my opinion taking to a Tran shop is best but beware the con job.

 

@filbert. I am not sure what you mean by checking the color., and not doing the service depending on that color. I thought we all agreed that Fords fluid change intervals are far too long and only meant to get you past the oe warranty period.

I would change it every 50K miles if I had a garage.

I was under the impression that, unless you have 200K mikes and never changed the ATF, you should do it .

@enwez. You should be OK, with a simple drain and fill. I wouldnt attempt to try and pump out all the fluid. They are all correct about the fluid difference between 08 and 09+. If you do end up with replacing the transmission, 40-50 K miles is a good interval.

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Hi everyone,

I did change the ATF, I used Mercon LV, not any substitute. I read a lot before doing it and ended doing 2 changes, the first I used SeaFoam TransTune to dissolve anything in there, let it on there for the recommended amount of miles, and then replaced all the fluid again.

I now like the color, and I feel it drives smoothly, I changed it around 9k miles ago and everything is still going good. My only recommendation is to really pull back the lid, if not the fluid can make a mess on your working area.