5RW100 Fluid Change
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5RW100 Fluid Change
Is there any truth to what I heard that you can't change the fluid for the 5RW100 without a special heated flushing machine? Does everyone bring it in for a flush or do you generally just drop the pan to get the few quarts out and top it off?
I'm not ready yet, just curious for future reference.
I'm not ready yet, just curious for future reference.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
The tranny is a 5R110. And yes it is true that you cannot fully flush the torque converter and cooler without a heated flush machine. The reason is because there is a thermostat that shuts off flow to the cooler unless the fluid is above 160°F, plus there isn't a drain in the TC.
Many of us do trust the dealer to flush our transmissions. It typically costs about $200, and needs to be done every 30k miles (60k miles on some '08 and later models).
The DIY way to do it is to just drain the pan, and then add 7-8 quarts of fresh fluid. That's a little less than 1/2 the total capacity of the system. If you repeat this process every 15k instead of the usual 30k, it is thought that this keeps the overall quality of the fluid high enough. You will have to judge that for yourself.
Your tranny was designed to use Mercon SP only, but that has been discontinued and now Ford specs Mercon LV. You must NOT use Mercon V or any earlier Motorcraft Mercon product. There are now some aftermarket fluids that might work. The jury is out on that.
Don't forget the external tranny filter.
Many of us do trust the dealer to flush our transmissions. It typically costs about $200, and needs to be done every 30k miles (60k miles on some '08 and later models).
The DIY way to do it is to just drain the pan, and then add 7-8 quarts of fresh fluid. That's a little less than 1/2 the total capacity of the system. If you repeat this process every 15k instead of the usual 30k, it is thought that this keeps the overall quality of the fluid high enough. You will have to judge that for yourself.
Your tranny was designed to use Mercon SP only, but that has been discontinued and now Ford specs Mercon LV. You must NOT use Mercon V or any earlier Motorcraft Mercon product. There are now some aftermarket fluids that might work. The jury is out on that.
Don't forget the external tranny filter.
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