🔧 Escape - Automatic Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill

This repair replaces the old automatic transmission fluid in your Escape with fresh Ford-spec fluid. A drain-and-fill service does not remove every drop inside the transmission, but it refreshes the fluid that protects the clutches, gears, and valve body.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work only on a flat, level surface. The final fluid level depends on the vehicle being level.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands any time the vehicle is raised. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot enough to burn you. Let your Escape cool before draining.
• ⚠️ Keep hands, hair, and clothing away from belts and fans when the engine is running for the level check.
• ⚠️ Use only MERCON LV automatic transmission fluid. The wrong fluid can cause shift problems.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 7mm socket
• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 11mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• Torque wrench (foot-pound)
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Long-neck funnel
• Measuring container (quart marked)
• Infrared thermometer (specialty)
• OBD scan tool with transmission temperature data (specialty)
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• MERCON LV automatic transmission fluid - Qty: 5 quarts
• Transmission drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1
• Transmission level/check plug sealing washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park your Escape on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 📋 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 📋 A drain-and-fill usually removes about 3.5-4.5 quarts, but measure what comes out and use that as your starting refill amount.
• 📋 An OBD scan tool reads live vehicle data. For this job, it is used to read transmission fluid temperature accurately.
• 📋 If you do not have a scan tool, an infrared thermometer can estimate temperature at the transmission case, but the scan tool method is preferred.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support Your Escape

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use the floor jack to raise the front of your Escape at the approved front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the front support points.
• If needed, raise the rear with the floor jack and support it with jack stands so your Escape sits level.
• Level vehicle, accurate fluid level.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a 7mm socket, 8mm socket, or 10mm socket with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lower splash shield fasteners.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive extension if a fastener is recessed.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside.

Step 3: Drain the Transmission Fluid

• Place the drain pan under the transmission drain plug.
• Use an 11mm socket with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen and remove the transmission drain plug.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to a drip.
• Use the measuring container to measure the drained fluid amount.
• Clean the drain plug area with shop towels.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install a new transmission drain plug sealing washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first so it does not cross-thread.
• Use the 11mm socket and torque wrench (foot-pound) to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 12 Nm (106 in-lbs)
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 5: Add Fresh Transmission Fluid

• Open the hood and locate the transmission fill cap/dipstick area.
• Use a long-neck funnel to add MERCON LV automatic transmission fluid.
• Add about 0.5 quart less than what drained out.
• Example: if 4 quarts drained out, add 3.5 quarts first.
• It is easier to add than remove.

Step 6: Warm the Fluid and Cycle the Gears

• Connect the OBD scan tool with transmission temperature data to the diagnostic port under the driver side dashboard.
• Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake.
• Move the shifter slowly through P-R-N-D-S, pausing 3 seconds in each position.
• Return the shifter to Park and leave the engine idling.
• Watch transmission fluid temperature on the OBD scan tool.
• For a final level check, warm the fluid to about 85°F-95°F (29°C-35°C).
• If using the infrared thermometer, aim it at the transmission case near the level/check plug.

Step 7: Remove the Level/Check Plug

• Keep the engine idling and your Escape level.
• Place the drain pan under the transmission level/check plug.
• Use an 11mm socket with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the level/check plug.
• A small drip or thin stream means the level is close.
• If nothing comes out, add fluid in small amounts through the fill opening using the long-neck funnel.
• If fluid pours out strongly, wait until it slows to a thin drip.

Step 8: Reinstall the Level/Check Plug

• Install a new transmission level/check plug sealing washer.
• Thread the level/check plug in by hand first.
• Use the 11mm socket and torque wrench (foot-pound) to tighten the plug.
• Torque to 12 Nm (106 in-lbs)
• Clean the area with shop towels.

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Splash Shield

• Position the lower splash shield back in place.
• Use the 7mm socket, 8mm socket, or 10mm socket with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to reinstall the fasteners.
• Use the torque wrench (inch-pound) if tightening small screws.
• Torque to 2-3 Nm (18-27 in-lbs)

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift your Escape slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape slowly with the floor jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Test drive your Escape for 10-15 minutes with light throttle.
• ✅ Make sure shifts feel smooth and normal.
• ✅ Park on level ground and check underneath for leaks.
• ✅ Recheck for seepage around the drain plug and level/check plug after the first drive.
• ✅ Dispose of used transmission fluid at a recycling center or auto parts store.
• ✅ No battery registration, programming, or infotainment reset is required.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$320 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $135-$230 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.