Fluid - A/T: Service and Repair
Transmission Fluid Drain and RefillRemoval
All vehicles
1. NOTE: All gasoline vehicles will have new adaptive shift strategies. Whenever the vehicle battery has been disconnected for any type of service or repair, the strategy parameters stored in the keep alive memory (KAM) will be lost. The strategy will start to relearn once the battery is reconnected and the vehicle is driven. This is a temporary condition and will return to normal operating condition once the powertrain control module (PCM) relearns all the parameters from the driving conditions. There is no set time frame for this process. If a concern is present during downshifts or converter clutch apply, it is not the fault of the shift strategy and will require diagnosis.
The customer needs to be notified that they may experience slightly different upshifts (either soft or firm) and that this is a temporary condition and will eventually return to normal operating condition.
Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
3. If the vehicle is equipped with an inline transmission fluid filter, remove and discard the filter.
Vehicles equipped with a fluid pan drain plug
4. Remove the drain plug to allow the fluid to drain.
5. NOTE: Do not discard the gasket unless damaged. This is a reusable gasket.
Remove the transmission fluid pan and gasket.
Vehicles not equipped with a fluid pan drain plug
6. CAUTION: When replacing the transmission fluid filter and seal assembly, the torque converter should be drained. The transmission cooler, cooler lines and cooler bypass valve must be thoroughly flushed to remove any contamination.
NOTE: Do not discard the gasket unless damaged. This is a reusable gasket.
Remove the transmission fluid pan and gasket.
1 Loosen, but do not remove the bolts.
2 Remove the front and side bolts.
3 Lower the front of the fluid pan and allow the Fluid to drain.
4 Remove the remaining fluid pan bolts and the fluid pan.
All vehicles
7. NOTE: After removal, discard the filter and seal assembly.
Remove the filter and seal assembly by carefully pulling and rotating the filter as necessary.
8. CAUTION: Be careful not to scratch or damage the aluminum bore. The new seal may leak and damage to the case will result.
If the seal remains in the pump bore, remove it carefully with a small screwdriver so as not to scratch or damage the aluminum bore.
9. Remove the torque converter drain plug cover.
10. Remove the torque converter drain plug.
11. NOTE: If equipped with a radiator in-tank transmission fluid cooler (5.4L) and an oil-to-air (OTA) cooler, the in-tank fluid cooler will need to be flushed, and install a new OTA cooler.
NOTE: If carrying out the drain and refill procedure for maintenance, it is not necessary to install a new oil-to-air OTA cooler. If carrying out an overhaul, a new oil-to-air cooler (OTA) must be installed.
Thoroughly flush the cooler lines and the cooler bypass valve.
Installation
All vehicles
1. After the torque converter has drained, install a new drain plug.
2. Install the torque converter drain plug cover.
3. CAUTION: Mixing the 4x2 style and 4x4 style transmission fluid filters and transmission pan assembly components can cause transmission damage.
Select the appropriate 4x2 style or 4x4 style filter assembly and transmission pan.
1 4x2 filter and pan assembly.
2 4x4 filter and pan assembly.
4. CAUTION: Make sure the pump bore is clean and the old filter seal has been removed. Damage to the new filter and seal can occur.
NOTE: Prior to installation, lightly lubricate the seal with clean automatic transmission fluid.
Press a new fluid filter and seal assembly into the pump bore until seated.
5. NOTE: Transmission pan gasket is reusable unless damaged.
NOTE: Apply a light coat of petroleum jelly to hold the gasket to the fluid pan.
Position the gasket onto the cleaned fluid pan. Make sure the magnet is positioned over the dimple in the fluid pan.
6. CAUTION: Mixing the 4x2 style and 4x4 style transmission fluid filters and transmission pan assembly components can cause transmission damage.
Install the correct pan with gasket for this application. Alternately tighten the bolts.
Vehicles equipped with a fluid pan drain plug
7. Install the drain plug.
All vehicles
8. NOTE: If the vehicle was not equipped with a fluid filter, install a fluid filter service kit (XC3Z-7B155-AA), following the instructions supplied in the kit. If the vehicle was equipped with a fluid filter, install a new filter (XC3Z-7B155-AB).
Install a new inline transmission fluid filter kit or filter.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Connect the battery ground cable.
11. CAUTION: The use of any other fluids can result in the transmission failing to operate in a normal manner or failure.
Refill the transmission clean automatic transmission fluid.
12. Start the engine. Move the transmission range selector lever through all the gear ranges.
13. Check and adjust the transmission fluid, in 0.24-liter (0.5-pint) increments, to the correct level (cross-hatched area of the fluid level indicator) at normal operating temperature.