My Ford has no dipstick for the ATF. Does that mean only Ford can service it? How much will that cost?
My Ford has no dipstick for the ATF. Does that mean only Ford can service it? How much will that cost?
I don't know… But Read the manual if you have 1 !
(I read that transmissions rarely need any attention UNLESS you notice slippage, or leaks.). Now I'll wait for a so-called professional to downvote this.
No, it just means that because of improvements in quality control whoch reduce the chances of fluid leaks it is no longer necessary to check the fluid level between routine servicing intervals. Not adding a dipstick also saves production costs.
But yes, it also has the effect of persuading more owners to get their car professionally serviced at least annually, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. But it does not have to be Ford: any repair shop which offers routine maintenance services can do it. To maintain your vehicle warranty the shop must follow the Ford servicing schedule for yout vehicle.
It remains easy enough to check the fluid level though: park the car on flat level ground and unscrew the transmission filler plug. Insert a finger and if you feel fluid level with the hole then it's fine. You should always use a new sealing washer when you replace the filler plug and the drain plug.
If it has an automatic transmission, it has a dipstick. PERIOD. Read owners manual. They will point it out. It is checked as often as you check your engine oil. Which can be daily if you have a leaker. It can't hurt to check. Read manual online in PDF. There's no excuse.
Yes - my last 3 Fords have to go-up on a lift to check the trans fluid - the latest one even needs a special wrench to open the plug.
Since I enjoy checking my fluids & tire pressure regularly, I don't like not being able to check the trans… I ask my garage to do it when they change the oil - but who knows if they do?
Not many owners take the trouble - - I understand that another reason some makes have done away with the dipstick is that people were using the wrong type fluid, putting-in additives (or washer fluid, brake fluid, oil). I guess some of the new transmissions have very specific fluids and using the wrong type can damage them (like regular fluid in a CVT, etc).
To replace the dipstick? Less than five dollars. Full service? A hundred and a half.
Most of these cars that does not have a dipstick are filled with "lifetime" fluid. You will need to check your manual for the service interval (if there's one). And yes, t hey need to be serviced at a dealer or at a garage preferably with a Ford certified technician.
Find local shop at ATRA.COM prices vary depending on shop labor rate and fluid used. My shop we're about 175 bucks parts and labor
Read your manual. It will answer your questions. If you don't have the manual, you can get it on ebay for a few dollars.
At least Chrysler made this EASY, GM and ford not so much…
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