Have a 2016 Escape, 1.6L with auto transmission. at 20,000 miles went to check the transmission fluid and could not find a dip stick. It has a filler cap but with no dip stick on it. It doesn't have the long stem type with a yellow handle either so I can't check the fluid level. Was it assembled wrong and should have one attached to the filler cap? Or does all the Escape transmissions come without a dip stick? Is that how they make them now?

 

Did you refer to the owners manual? Page 221.

Some Ford transmissions are "sealed for life" and do not have a dip stick.

Also refer to the regular service interval for your vehicle. Taking the vehicle in for check ups saves money in the long run.

 

It won't be long before they weld the hood shut.

 

There is no dipstick on the 6F35 Trans. Proper level is determined by level plug on side of case.

Just hope the factory fill was correct and was double checked during NC prep @ the dealer.

 

The 2009 (first year of the 6F35) through 2012s have a dipstick.

It looks like the 2013 redesign did away with the 6F35's dipstick.

A quick look at the owners manual for a 2013 @ fordservice.com has underhood ID drawings, no trans dipstick. Says later in text that the dealer should check it, there is no dipstick.

Which brings up the rhetorical question... Why would someone bring their dipstick-less auto trans car to the dealer to have the ATF level checked, unless they were having shifting problems? And then drive it to dealer, where there is a good chance they may be told "it's toast, Bud, ya shouldn'ta been driving it with the ATF low!"

"But I couldn't check the dipstick occasionally, cause it don't have one!"

The concept of a sealed gearbox is a good one... if it can be made leak-free!

I guess we should not talk about the driver's side inboard CV joint that had the improper (too rough) finish on it's shaft into the transaxle, that wears away the output bushing, causing the output seal to leak, often discovered after enough ATF has been lost to croak the trans. This was on the 2009 - 12 generation.

It is the one pre-emptive replacement I have not done (yet), as ours is still relatively low miles. But I am always checking garage floor for any ATF, and often looking at the area where it will leak. So far, so good...

 

The CVS TSB covers the 2013/ 6F35 also. I have a Transit that had the failure. They only replaced the seal and not the shaft/bushing even though it was made clear by FORD that they had to be replaced also. Dealer option I guess.

Many are shipped without a full charge of ATF and dealer prep (joke) isn't catching it. More than likely any component failure will occur after drive-train warranty expires.

And don't forget the trans filter is not serviceable unless the trans is broken down. FORD and GM worked together to design this one.