I plan to change my fluid to MTL tomorrow with 800 mile on the odometer. Can someone tell me a) where the drain plug is located, b) where the fluid fill point is located, and c) what special tools (long funnel, tubing, etc.) are needed.

Thanks in advance

 

Why wouldn't you get the dealership to do it? If you do it yourself, the dealer can void your warranty on your trans if you have problems.

 

Easy do it yourself job. Took me no more than 30 minutes. I got a hand pump at my local NAPA store. Check out this link:

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=940&viewfile=Transmission Draining and Filling.pdf

 

Will the dealer put MTL in it?!?

 

Doubt it.....but you can ask. They have the recommended fluids from Ford.

 

That's what I figured....


On a side note I'm thinking about taking my in for the notchy shifting and see what they say. When I bought mine they said "We haven't had anyone come in complaining of tranny issues yet"

 

Now that it's colder out my notchiness is back and I'm running MTL.

 

Dan, now with the colder temps, any notchiness with the MTL fluid too?


.

 

I also have MTL and have slight notchy shifting from 1-2 since it's colder out. However what I am finding, the notchy shifting is nowhere as bad as it was with the stock fluid junk. After a mile or two the MTL warms up and the shifting is smooth again.
I changed mine to MTL with 900 miles on the car. I would also make sure you have a fan to circulate the air. The stock fluid smells like a chemical and the fumes will irritate your eyes and throat.

 

Where can you buy MTL? Online only?

I swapped my own fluid using Ford's new, recommended stuff awhile back. It's very easy to do, just tedious. Having a pump makes a huge difference too. Make sure you drive the car to get it warmed up really well though.

 

Yes, MTL buy online. There have been some people to find it in auto stores.

 

Just a word of caution..if you use a fluid that Ford does recommend, you may face a problem getting the transmission serviced if you have a warranty problem. I let Ford replace the original fluid with the fluid recommended in the TSB. It is free, and the shifting has improved, especially the 1-2 shift in cold weather. This car comes with a 5/60,000 mile warranty on the drivetrain, so you may want to let Ford do the TSB change to protect your warranty. Can't hurt.

 

Except that the TSB fluid is a dual clutch automatic fluid that is in no way the correct fluid for the manual tranny.

Ford has no idea what fluid this trans needs and is just spinning it's wheels.

 

I'm curious to know why people are so down on putting ATF in a manual trans? My ZF6 in my '99 Powerstroke has used ATF since new and sees a hell of a lot more torque than a 5.0 puts out. I seriously doubt Ford "has no idea what fluid this trans needs" since they are some **** good automotive engineers. The problems with the trans are not due to the fluid as evidenced by the tens of thousands of transmissions that have the OEM fluid and are working flawlessly.

 

I would assume with a build date of 9/26/11 mine already has the fluid specified in the TSB. I suppose I should wait until there is more evidence that MTL corrects shifting issues and is a proven alternative for the long term, or wait until i start to have problems and swap it then.

Thanks for all the comments. Does anyone have documented proof that MTL prevents the problems some are having and that it's a long term alternative?

 

Cannot really tell since i'm barely driving the car since it's been getting cold out, but the shifting is still fine especially with the Steeda tranny mount. Will be storing mine this week, so i'm not gonna be of much help after that.

 

I hear crickets....

 

Send a PM to Sam Strano. I'm sure he can answer your questions.

 

Here is a link to Redline, specifically the MTL fluid. You will notice it does not mention the Mustang, but does mention the Focus...perhaps an e-mail to Redline to confirm the MTL is a Ford approved substitute would help you make a decision.

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7

 

Mine is coming out next week for the tsb. The mtl worked great in warm temperature, but I don't reccommend it in colder weather. I'm no expert, nor do I have proof, but having it in my car for the last 5k there's a very noticeable difference under 55 degrees out.