Tranny fluid change

[88OrangeLX]

OK my Exploder has 50,000 miles on it and I was wondering if it would hurt to have the trannsmission filter and fluid changed? I know when the mileage gets up on a tranny you shouldnt change the fluid, is 50,000 miles too many miles to do the first change? Also is there a Haynes/Chilton manual other than the $80 one for the 04 Explorers?

 

[Glacier991]

I think changing your fluid is a good idea.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I'd let a shop to your flush for you (atleast the flush), because one - I believe your transmission is sealed and there is a procedure to checking the fluid correctly which can get messy and hard to do without a lift. Two - because it only cost like 100 for a shop to do it. Short and simple

-Drew

 

[hlenoble]

Synthetic?

I have a 2003 explorer with just under 30K miles. I am about to have the trans fluid changed, and I was planning on using snythetic fluid. Does anyone have any comments as to benefits/problems with synthetic trans fluid? If it matters, I will be towing a 3000 lb travel trailer a few times a year. The explorer is equipped with the towing package.

Thanks,
- Hal

 

[Glacier991]

I think using a full synthetic is an excellent idea, as is changing it every 30,000 miles. As it is Mercon V is a semi syn. The full syn withstands temperatures better. Also when you tow, unless it is a nice flat stretch, it is a good idea not to tow in OD.

If you have a V-8, you have a pretty strong transmission for towing. If you have the 6 cyclinder, you need to be more careful towing with it. It is not a bad idea to install a trans temperature gauge if you want to really keep an eye on how the trans is doing. On the V-6 it is also not a bad idea to have a shift correction kit installed in the transmission valve body to firm up shifts for towing.

 

[spindlecone]

Whats the diff in the tranny used with the V6 or the V8?, thought both where the same,5R55Es

 

[EXPLORER05]

Fluid

In the explorers since 97 in the 5r55 trans they use synthetic trans. The fluid is Xt.5.QM which is mercon 5 synthetic. We tow a trailer to and I change our fluid every 30,000 miles. The trans has to work anytime you tow.

Mark
05 EXPLORER 4.6L V8 3.73 4X4
03 SPORT TRAC 4.0L V6 4.10 4X4

 

[Glacier991]

The V-8's used the 4R70W and 4R75W....MUCH beefier animal.

Mercon 5 is not a full syn. It is a semi syn.

 

[EXPLORER05]

Trans

Thats right it s semi. The only V-8's that use the 4r100 or 4r70w are the trucks, vans, and the all wheel drive explorer and moutaineer and this is the earlier body style.

 

[spindlecone]

The V-8's used the 4R70W and 4R75W....MUCH beefier animal.

Mercon 5 is not a full syn. It is a semi syn.

other than the 06, did prior V8 models use the 5r55e, say 04 /05

 

[EXPLORER05]

trans

In 1997 the explorer and ranger with the v6's used a five speed tranny, since 1997 there has been about 5 to veriations of the trans. In the 1997 and 2001 explorers with the 5.0l v8 all wheel drive used ither the 4r70w. In 2002 -2005 the explorer with the 4.6l v8 USED A 5R55. In 2006 explorer with the v8 use a 6zf 6 speed trans with the v8 same used in the 07 sport trac. The 4.0 v6 still uses a 5r55. a List of 5 speeds:

5R55E
5R55S
5R55N
5R55W
6ZF 6 SPEED( USED ON 06 EXPLORER W/ 4.6 3V AND 07 SPORT TRAC W/ 4.6 3V)

 

[EXPLORER05]

tranny

xt.5.qm is a full synthetic fluid I checked the bottle