I appologize in advance if this had been asked before (I looked but didn't see anything on it) but I'm wondering if someone could walk me through how to perform a drain and fill for the transmission fluid on a Tribute (2005 to be specific but any year will do for reference).

 

I would have it done at your dealer or at an independent shop that has a power flush machine. Doing a standard service only removes about 1/4 of the old fluid. A power flush removes all of the old fluid and replaces it with new fluid. Whatever you do, make sure you use Mercon V transmission fluid.

 

thats correct,go with the total transm.flush and get all of the 12 qts. out.do it every 30,000 or so . about $125-145.

 

I have an 06, AWD V6 with 31K Miles. The user manual say to use only MERCON not MERCON V, however there is a service bulletin for the 06 to change the fluid to MERCON V so we should ignore what's in the manual.
I just did a flush at my dealer. they said it looked "dirty" it actually did. I was wondering if this is due to the high number of tranny failures they are having.
The manual also say to use only MERCON for the power steering - anyone changing that to MERCON V? I say changing because the two are incompatible.
tony g. in NJ

 

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE DIRTY TRANS FILTER! A TRANS FLUSH DOESN'T CHANGE THAT. I have a 06 Mazda3i Touring and had a trans flush service from a local shop, took the car to Mazda for warranty work and they checked my fluids and told me my trans fluid need to be changed because it was dirty and I had 30,000 miles I told my service tech I had it serviced already by a local shop and that they performed a flush service he responded by telling me that some cars have metal screens in their trans and that a flush will work good in those vehicles but if you have a cotton filter it needs to be changed at every service.

 

I could be mistaken here, but I don't think the Tribute's tranny has a serviceable filter. A tranny flush should flush any debris from the screen or whatever is in the transaxle anyway.
I have heard from a few mechanics that flushes can cause damage by loosening small particles in the tranny and not getting them all out before the new fluid goes in. Anyone else hear this?

 

Oh yeah, I forgot to answer the initial question. Use Mercon V, it supercedes the manual's recommendation because Mercon V was not yet created in 2006. Mercon V is a semi-synthetic fluid that resists heat degradation better than regular Mercon. I have had Mercon V is my transmission for 30,000 miles and have nothing but smooth shifts to report. I am debating whether or not to have it done again because I tow with my Tribute.