Transmission in a Ford F150 keeps the wheel spinning by maintaining the engine in a specific range of revolutions per minute.
How to Add Transmission Fluid in Ford F150? In general, you can add the transmission fluid to Ford F150 by checking its level using the ring-shaped dipstick. After checking its exact status, slowly add the fluid using a funnel. Recheck the transmission level to prevent damage to the truck due to excessive or insufficient transmission fluid in the system.
How to Add Transmission Fluid in Ford F150?
The transmission fluid used in the Ford F150 depends upon the type of engine and the year of the truck. It comes in different ranges in the market, and every fluid has its specific properties.
Choosing the correct product can increase the engine’s life and decrease excessive wear and tear.
These types of fluids are used for the truck’s automatic transmission system that increases its lifespan and works perfectly in hot temperatures.
These oil-based fluids utilize in transmission systems increase lubrication and prevent oxidation in the engine. It makes transmission smoother by moving gear shifters and wheels more swiftly.
It is essential for the proper functioning of your vehicle to check its level, a low level of fluid can decrease the pressure.
As a result, this system works slower when you change the gear assembly of your truck. The method to change your fluid inside the truck is easy to follow. Some of the steps are as below:
Check the Ford F150
It is essential to check the truck’s transmission fluid when the engine is warm.
For this purpose, drive the vehicle for approximately 15 to 20 minutes or to cover the distance of 10-20 miles until your engine reaches its average operating temperature.
The average operating temperature of the engine lies between 82°C to 93°C. The warming of the engine helps to give the precise reading of it in the truck because the fluid expands with heat.
After warming the vehicle, change the gear shifter into a park position and leave the truck running. Make sure to set the parking brakes for more safety.
You need to use a pair of gloves and safety glasses, a funnel, and rags.
It is essential to know that the addition of too much liquid or the wrong type can significantly impose damages to your truck.
Open its hood
The next step is to open the bonnet of the truck; for this purpose, find the hood release lever.
This lever is usually located on the lower side of the driver compartment near the truck’s door with a hood lifting sign on top of it.
Pull the lever, and the bonnets will open up. There is a safety catch attach to the front of the bonnet.
You need to slide the safety catch and raise the truck’s hood with the help of an internal prop.
Check the transmission fluid level
You need to check its exact transmission fluid level before adding more. For this purpose, locate the dipstick used to measure the precise fluid level.
The dipstick is usually present on the passenger side of the engine bay with a bright yellow ring on the top.
You can remove the hidden dipstick inside the bolt by turning it counterclockwise, and the bolt becomes detached from it.
Now pull the dipstick from the dipstick tube by holding it from its ring. Take a clean rag and wipe away the fluid on the end of the dipstick.
Again put the dipstick in its tube, make sure that it inserts entirely. Now pull the dipstick out and check its level.
It should be between the lines of the cross-hatched operating area of the dipstick. Make sure to perform this task when the engine is running.
If your vehicle is parked, try to drive it for 10-20 minutes before checking the fluid level.
Some of the dipsticks have a warm and cold indicator that helps to identify the accurate fluid temperature.
When the truck is in driveable condition, the fluid reaches the maximum level on the dipstick because it expands on heat and shows the correct level.
The fluid level below the operating area of the dipstick indicates that the transmission body needs a refill.
Add the transmission fluid
It is crucial to know which type of fluid is approved by the manufacturer.
The type of fluid used for the transmission system is present in the owner manual capacity and specifications section.
It is vital to use the recommended fluid because using the wrong one can damage your vehicle by causing different pressure, corrosion of transmission parts, clogging, and overheating.
As a result, the transmission system fails to work correctly, and it can also shorten the lifespan of your vehicle.
Different fluids have distinct purposes; the pickup with manual transmission needs an entirely different fluid than automatic transmission.
Check its level after turning the vehicle in average operating temperature. For this purpose, get the precise speed of the pickup by converting it into different gears.
You need to park the vehicle, remove the dipstick and add the funnel to the dipstick tube.
Now add the fluid slowly; you need to be very careful in this step because the transmission system fills quickly.
If you add fluid more than the capacity of the transmission system, it will become foamy that will decrease the lubricating property of it and slow down the crankshaft movement.
The addition of too much or too light fluid is harmful to your vehicle that why it is essential to measure its exact level.
Testing the level of transmission fluid
You need to check the procedure by turning the vehicle ON and change it in different gear to get a precise speed again.
After that, put the dipstick in its tube for the second time and check its level; it will give an accurate reading. Place the dipstick in its original position and fix it.
The dipstick that hides in the transmission body adds the bolt to its top and turns it clockwise to fix it in its original place.
How often to change it?
The hot weather of the area where you live, plow snowing feature of the truck, excessive towing of the heavy loads; all these factors can significantly increase the demand for transmission fluid.
The continuous stopping and driving of the pickup also increase its requirement.
It is essential to change them in the Ford F150 after covering 30,000 to 60,000 miles in approximately 2 to 4 years.
It would be beneficial if you changed the fluid after covering 15000 miles in 1 to 2 years; the truck performs any of the tasks mentioned above. You can also replace and refill it by knowing its level and consistency in the dipstick.
How to check its quality?
You can inspect the fluid quality by visually examining it and replace it. You need to park your truck on a smooth surface for this purpose.
Open the vehicle’s hood and pull out the dipstick of the transmission system.
Wipe out the dipstick fluid in a white rag and inspect its color and consistency. If the rag has a bright pink color, it indicates that it is clear.
If the fluid is brown with slight shades of pink, it shows that it is high time to replace the transmission fluid.
The truck owners who do not change it for an extended period have a dark brown color with metal particles in it.
It indicates that your transmission system is damaged and does not perform its lubrication function.
The dirty fluid can not disperse heat effectively, increasing the wear and tear in transmission parts and clutch assembly.
The dirty fluid makes the shifting of gear slower. As a result, excessive heat production will happen with strange noises.
You will also sense a burning smell inside the truck. The display panel also shows the sign of engine light that indicates that you should change the Ford F150 transmission fluid with a new one.
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