[skibender]

I'm new to the Escape world (2006 XLT 4WD Auto 36k miles) as I just downsized from a F250. Anyway, I've been looking around the site and trying to learn as much as possible. Just changed oil last weekend. I'm seeing questions about the durability of our tranny's. What is the recommened tranny fluid change interval. The maintenance guide calls out at 30 k miles for a tranny that isn't what I have in the Escape. At least not the same name as what I saw on this site.

 

[Squishy]

A 2006 would have the CD4E transmission. With Mercon V, do a drain-and-fill every 15-20,000 miles. Every 10,000 miles with Mercon.

You can also do a complete fluid exchange every 50,000 miles or so, but I prefer the drain-and-fill method as the fluid never really wears out.

 

[skibender]

Thanks for the reply. Right now, I have the Mercon per the factory specs. I see by reading other posts that Mercon might be harder to find due to Ford discoutinuing. I think I'll do a complete flush over to Mercon V and then use the intervals you stated. I'll use the Prowler 4,6,3,7 method or whatever it was called. I'm sure many people on this site have switched to Mercon V. My biggest concern is getting all of the Mercon out of the system because I read that Mercon V doesn't play well with Mercon.

 

[jpark]

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=3656&p=68985&hilit=prowler+flush#p68946

 

[kkreit01]

I'm stickin with Squishy's method -- as it's the easiest. I just did my first ~4 qt dump & fill @ 11K. I used Max Life.

 

[Squishy]

I also added a transmission fluid filter, which takes a spin-on oil filter similar to a Fram PH2. If there's any interest I can dig up my install thread, or you can search for "external transmission filter install" - I think I posted that in the Powertrain Mods forum.

 

[skibender]

I found your write up - very nice. I'll have to add it to my Escape improvement list. Once again, thanks for all the info. I also like your idea about the magnets. Do you see alot of shavings during the oil changes? Where did you get your magnets from?

 

[Squishy]

I took the magnets out of old or useless (<100 MB) hard drives. You can also buy the neodymium magnets from eBay or maybe ask for scrapped drives from a computer repair shop. There are commercial filter "sleeves" made out of strong magnets, but I find those overpriced.

I haven't cut open an oil filter properly to look for shavings, but I do find a lot of fine metal particles stuck to the magnetic drain plug for the transmission. I can usually clean quite a bit of gunk from there.