🔧 Fusion - Transmission Fluid Change

Your Fusion uses an electronically controlled HF35 hybrid eCVT transaxle. A fluid change means draining the old Motorcraft-style hybrid transmission fluid, reinstalling the drain plug, then refilling through the fill port until the fluid level is correct.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Fusion is a plug-in hybrid. Do not touch orange high-voltage cables, high-voltage connectors, or high-voltage components.
• ⚠️ Work on a cool drivetrain. Hot transmission fluid can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Keep the vehicle level while checking and filling the transmission fluid.
• ⚠️ Never run the vehicle with the transmission underfilled.
• ⚠️ Use only the correct Ford-spec hybrid eCVT fluid. Regular automatic transmission fluid can damage the transaxle.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this fluid service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan 10-quart minimum
• Ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive
• Extension 3/8-inch drive 6-inch
• 10mm socket
• 11mm socket
• 8mm hex bit socket
• Torque wrench foot-pound
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Measuring container marked in quarts
• Shop towels
• Brake cleaner non-chlorinated

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• HF35 eCVT transmission fluid meeting Ford MERCON LV specification - Qty: 5 quarts
• Transmission drain plug seal - Qty: 1
• Transmission fill plug seal - 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.
• Let the drivetrain cool until the transmission case is safe to touch.
• A fluid transfer pump is a hand pump that pushes new fluid from the bottle up into the transmission fill hole.
• Measure the amount of fluid drained. This helps you refill close to the correct amount before final level checking.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Level the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your Fusion at the approved front jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• If needed, raise the rear slightly too so the vehicle sits level.
• Confirm the vehicle is stable before crawling underneath.
• Level vehicle equals correct fluid level.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a 10mm socket, 11mm socket, ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive, and extension 3/8-inch drive 6-inch to remove the lower splash shield fasteners.
• Lower the shield and set it aside.

Step 3: Locate the Fill Plug First

• Find the transmission fill plug on the side of the HF35 transaxle case.
• Use an 8mm hex bit socket, ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive, and extension 3/8-inch drive 6-inch to loosen the fill plug first.
• Do not drain the fluid until you know the fill plug can be removed.
• Always open fill before drain.

Step 4: Drain the Old Transmission Fluid

• Place a drain pan 10-quart minimum under the transmission drain plug.
• Use an 8mm hex bit socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to remove the drain plug.
• Allow the fluid to drain until it slows to a drip.
• Use a measuring container marked in quarts to measure how much old fluid came out.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Clean the drain plug with brake cleaner non-chlorinated and shop towels.
• Install a new transmission drain plug seal on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first.
• Use an 8mm hex bit socket and torque wrench foot-pound to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Add New Transmission Fluid

• Install a fluid transfer pump into the new transmission fluid bottle.
• Use the fluid transfer pump to pump new HF35 eCVT transmission fluid meeting Ford MERCON LV specification into the fill hole.
• Add approximately the same amount that drained out, then slow down.
• Continue filling until fluid begins to trickle from the fill hole while the vehicle is level.

Step 7: Install the Fill Plug

• Install a new transmission fill plug seal on the fill plug.
• Thread the fill plug in by hand first.
• Use an 8mm hex bit socket and torque wrench foot-pound to tighten the fill plug: Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Clean and Recheck for Leaks

• Use brake cleaner non-chlorinated and shop towels to clean around the drain and fill plugs.
• Start your Fusion and let it idle in Park for 1-2 minutes.
• Press the brake pedal and shift slowly through Reverse, Neutral, Drive, then back to Park.
• Look under the vehicle for leaks around both plugs.

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Splash Shield

• Position the splash shield under the vehicle by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket, 11mm socket, and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to reinstall the fasteners.
• Snug the plastic shield fasteners only. Do not overtighten them.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Fusion slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Take a gentle 5-10 minute test drive.
• ✅ Park on clean pavement and check underneath for drips.
• ✅ Recheck the drain plug and fill plug area for wet fluid.
• ✅ Dispose of used transmission fluid at a recycling center or parts store that accepts used fluids.
• ✅ No battery registration, programming, or infotainment reset is required for this service.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$130 (parts only)

You Save: $160-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-1.5 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.