🔧 Fusion - Automatic Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill

Changing the automatic transmission fluid on your Fusion means draining the old fluid from the transmission, reinstalling the drain plug, then refilling with the correct fluid through the transmission fill point. This helps protect the internal clutches, valves, pump, and AWD drivetrain from worn or overheated fluid.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Transmission fluid gets hot enough to burn skin. Let the exhaust and transmission cool before touching anything.
• ⚠️ Your Fusion must be level when filling and checking fluid. An uneven vehicle can cause an incorrect fluid level.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held up only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Use only the correct Ford-spec automatic transmission fluid. The wrong fluid can cause shifting problems or transmission damage.
• ⚠️ Do not flush the transmission with a machine on a high-mileage or unknown-service vehicle unless a Ford service procedure specifically calls for it.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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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
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 10mm socket
• 11mm socket
• 8mm hex socket
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Long funnel
• Fluid transfer pump
• Infrared thermometer
• Clean shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid meeting Ford Mercon LV specification - Qty: 5 quarts
• Transmission drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Fusion on a flat, level surface.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Drive the vehicle for 10-15 minutes first so the fluid is warm and drains better.
• Shut the engine off before raising the vehicle.
• A fluid transfer pump is a hand pump used to move new fluid from the bottle into a hard-to-reach fill opening.
• An infrared thermometer reads surface temperature without touching the part. You will use it to estimate transmission pan temperature.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Level the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of your Fusion at the front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper front support points.
• If needed, raise the rear with the floor jack and support it with jack stands so the vehicle sits level.
• Use wheel chocks on the wheels that remain on the ground during lifting.
• Gently shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the splash shield fasteners.
• Use an 11mm socket if your shield has larger rear fasteners.
• Lower the splash shield and set it aside.
• Keep bolts grouped by location.

Step 3: Locate the Transmission Drain Plug

• Use a flashlight to locate the transmission case on the driver-side area of the powertrain.
• Find the drain plug at the lower portion of the transmission case.
• Place the drain pan directly under the drain plug.

Step 4: Drain the Old Transmission Fluid

• Use an 8mm hex socket and ratchet to loosen the transmission drain plug.
• Remove the plug by hand while keeping pressure on it to reduce splashing.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to a drip.
• Measure the drained fluid amount if possible. This gives you a helpful refill starting point.
• Clean the drain plug with shop towels.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install a new transmission drain plug sealing washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 8mm hex socket and torque wrench to tighten the plug.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Lower the Vehicle Enough to Access the Fill Area

• Use the floor jack to carefully adjust the vehicle if needed.
• Keep your Fusion level if you are checking the final fluid level underneath.
• Leave the splash shield off until the fluid level is checked and no leaks are present.

Step 7: Locate the Transmission Fill Point

• Open the hood.
• Use a flashlight to locate the transmission fluid fill cap or fill plug on top of the transmission area.
• Clean around the fill point with shop towels before opening it.
• Use your hand to remove the fill cap if equipped.

Step 8: Add New Transmission Fluid

• Place a long funnel into the transmission fill opening.
• Add automatic transmission fluid meeting Ford Mercon LV specification.
• Start by adding the same amount that drained out.
• If you did not measure the drained fluid, start with about 3.5-4 quarts, then check level carefully.
• Do not overfill. Too much fluid can foam and cause shifting problems.

Step 9: Warm the Fluid and Cycle the Gears

• Start the engine with your foot firmly on the brake pedal.
• Move the shifter slowly through each gear position: Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, then back to Park.
• Pause 3-5 seconds in each position.
• Leave the engine idling in Park.
• Use the infrared thermometer to monitor the transmission pan area temperature.

Step 10: Check and Adjust Fluid Level

• With the engine idling and the vehicle level, check the transmission fluid level using the transmission level check point for your Fusion.
• If equipped with a dipstick, remove it, wipe it with a clean shop towel, reinstall it fully, then remove it again to read the level.
• If equipped with a level/check plug, use the correct socket and remove the plug carefully while the vehicle is level.
• A small controlled trickle at the check plug indicates the level is near correct.
• If no fluid comes out of the check plug, add fluid slowly using the long funnel or fluid transfer pump until a small trickle appears.
• Reinstall the check plug by hand first, then tighten it securely.
• Torque to 12 Nm (106 in-lbs)

Step 11: Recheck for Leaks

• Use a flashlight to inspect the drain plug and fill/check area.
• Use shop towels to wipe away any spilled fluid.
• Confirm there are no drips while the engine is idling.

Step 12: Reinstall the Lower Splash Shield

• Shut the engine off.
• Position the splash shield under the vehicle.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to reinstall the fasteners.
• Use an 11mm socket for any larger fasteners removed earlier.
• Tighten the splash shield fasteners snug by hand tool only.

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift your Fusion slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Take a short 10-minute test drive with light throttle.
• ✅ Confirm smooth engagement from Park to Reverse and Park to Drive.
• ✅ Recheck underneath for leaks after the test drive.
• ✅ If shifting feels delayed, harsh, or abnormal, stop driving and recheck the fluid level.
• ✅ Dispose of used transmission fluid at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$350 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $135-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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