See posts 47-50.
got it! thanks
If you're going to split open the HF45 hybrid drive to replace the filter, you might as well also replace the roller-bearings & oil-seals - once every 150-200,000 miles
You don't really need to lift the vehicle up any higher than what it is, you just need to be able to take the wheel off. In a pinch you could use the jack that came with the truck. But you can buy a jack stand and a jack pretty cheap at Walmart and they work good
If you can shimmy under to get the under body cover off and the drain bolt out, then it could be done. You can fill the trans. by turning the wheels to the left to get access to the plug.
My guess is the cover is probably gone already from the dealer doing the oil changes. I wonder how much that affects mpg?
For reference, the HF55 - 2025+ has moved the fill plug. It cannot be accessed from the wheelwell.I did this recently on my 2023 Lariat Lux Hybrid. While Ford and other manufactures say some fluids are lifetime, that's just because they want to say that it is cheap to own a vehicle. Due to the driving style and conditions that the truck operates on I have to preform regular transmission drain and fills. You can do this with Walmart or Harbor Freight tools. If you have done an oil change you can drain and fill a transmission. While this is specific to the Hybrid, it likely is the same for the EcoBoost (and JK jeeps for what it's worth just different sockets and fluid).
You are responsible for your actions and assume all risk.
Tools
Supplies
- 3/8 ratchet
- 3/8 extension - 5 inches
- 14 mm socket - Transmission drain bolt
- 10 mm hex socket - Transmission fill
- 21 mm socket - lug nuts (or use the one that came with truck)
- 4 mm hex socket - under engine splash guard
- Flashlight
- Funnel
- Mop bucket or oil receptacle
- Safety glasses
- Mechanix gloves
- Truck Jack
- Jack Stand
- Tire chock
Step By Step
- Paper towels
- Nitrile gloves
- degreaser
- 6 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon ULV (toxic)
- I always get extra if I spill
Lifting the truck
Draining the Transmission
- Activate the parking brake
- Loosen but do not remove the lug nuts (21 mm socket)of the front driver tire
- Chock the rear tires
- Jack the truck up
- Put the jack stand and lift to appropriate height
- Remove the tire and side it next to the jack stand
- If the jack and stand both fail the tire will function as a stand as a last resort
- Remove the under engine splash shield
(Note: the blue line is me bolt marking it after I filled it. It is not there from the factory)
Filling the Transmission
- You will open the fill plug first (picture 1)
- This is to ensure that you can fill the transmission. If you cannot remove the fill plug abort and call a mechanic
- With the 10 mm hex socket remove the transmission fill plug
- Mine was pretty tight and I had to use a breaker bar
- Place the mop bucket or oil receptacle under the oil
- Remove the Transmission drain bolt using the 14 mm socket (picture 2)
- Let the transmission oil drain
- It is normal for some metal flakes but they should be small
Finishing
- Tighten the transmission drain plug. I did 1/4 extra after it got tight
- Measure the amount of transmission oil that wan removed. This is the same that you will add. I had 4.2 quarts come out and I put 4.5 back
- Using the funnel begging to fill the transmission through the fill hole
- Transmission fluid will start to leak as you get near the amount you removed
- When full, tighten the transmission fill bolt. I did 1/4 extra turn after it got tight.
- Congrats you did a transmission drain and fill!
- Replace the tire
- Finger tighten the lug nuts
- Make sure there is nothing under the truck
- Jack the truck up some to remove the jack stand
- Slowly lower the truck
- Tighten the lug nuts
- Turn the truck on
- Cycle from parking>reverse>neutral>drive 4-5 times
- Road test the truck by driving it to a local car part store to recycle the transmission fluid
- Enjoy a cold beverage when you get home
