How to check the transmission fluid on a 2015 explorer sport?

[igell]

Cant for the life of me figure out how to get my hand in there....i can see the cap but cant get to it without removing the air box completely.

 

[Bobs2018ExplorerSport]

Yep, you're correct, in that you do need to remove the airbox assembly first... before you can get your mitts on the tranny fluid cap!

 

[igell]

i see.... ford engineering "geniuses" at work again..

 

[Bobs2018ExplorerSport]

i see.... ford engineering "geniuses" at work again..

Yeah... I've never really understood just why they didn't figure out a way to have a thin, extended-neck off of that spot down below. Seems to me they could have done it, using a longer dipstick, which would also have allowed to be able to add a little more tranny fluid easily from above, if you ever had to top it off a little (or, after draining it using the drain plug on the bottom of the tranny housing). It's a pain, for sure!

 

[Odrapnew]

Yeah... I've never really understood just why they didn't figure out a way to have a thin, extended-neck off of that spot down below. Seems to me they could have done it, using a longer dipstick, which would also have allowed to be able to add a little more tranny fluid easily from above, if you ever had to top it off a little (or, after draining it using the drain plug on the bottom of the tranny housing). It's a pain, for sure!

As an engineer, I bet the $$ pinchers said no.
$1 savings per vehicle adds up quick (and that savings probably doesn't get passed to the consumer).
$1 here, $1 there......cha-ching says the manufacture.

 

[Bobs2018ExplorerSport]

As an engineer, I bet the $$ pinchers said no.
$1 savings per vehicle adds up quick (and that savings probably doesn't get passed to the consumer).
$1 here, $1 there......cha-ching says the manufacture.

Yep, I am sure that the potential for a "little added cost" was a factor, in their decision to make it more difficult for everyone, to perform what should be a simple task!

 

[56_F100]

Yep, I am sure that the potential for a "little added cost" was a factor, in their decision to make it more difficult for everyone, to perform what should be a simple task!

That same no access needed concept was applied to the "never needs fluid changed" for the PTU on this same family of vehicles. Replaced my PTU at 85K. It hadn't broken but the passenger side seal was leaking badly. Added a 1/2 inch ID fill tube to the PTU which is accessible from the engine bay. I replace fluid in PTU with each oil change. The magnet on the drain plug shows a minute amount of metal, but no more than the original unit did.