Ford Edge: Transmission Fluid Check and Engine Bay Walkthrough (Lincoln MKX)

This video is a response to numerous questions on how to check the transmission fluid on a Ford Edge. While these details are contained in a service manual it occurs to me that some people may be interested in knowing this information before they walk onto a car lot so they seem knowledgeable about the vehicle before hand. So here you go 💁‍♂️

[@Alexadeparis07]

My cap won’t come off. Is there a trick to it? I have 2010 Ford Edge Limited FWD and the cap sits lower and to the right. I tried to unscrew it and pull it off but it won’t come off. It will turn right or left and gets tighter either way but won’t lift off. Thank you 🙏

[@dddddd2100]

You should put the Transmission Dip Stick fully screwed back in place to check the fluid level, it appears you just pushed it down but did NOT Fully seat and lock it back in place. that will make a big difference in the fluid level reading.

[@buckn32]

Ddd Ddd that is correct. I appreciate the accountability. I think I only put a partial turn onto it now that I went back and watched it. I think it was because I pulled it already and then wiped it and when I dipped it afterwards it was at same level.

[@NoNo_IStay]

Make a 1 minute video instead of 12 minutes of rambling about the user manual, different cars you have, etc. If it would've been a quick watch quick teach I would sub. Just my 2 cents since you asked for subs.

[@Eicats227]

If you put your hand behind the dips tick, it should help the camera to focus to actually clear up the age and we will be able to see the liguidbonbthe dip stick

[@andrewfreeman88]

If you want something to focus you have to put your hand behind it help engage the focus module...Great video btw!! Just subscribed..

[@terrellronin1370]

you prolly dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks =)

[@merrickjulius6053]

@Terrell Ronin yea, been using instaflixxer for months myself :D

[@dr.phillnaadoftennessee.9788]

Thanks! Finally a video made by someone with common sense 👍🏻…

[@xaviermccain6390]

You the guy from lone survivor?

[@buckn32]

LOLZ that’s Mark Wahlberg... I don’t have his clout.

[@petegilbride8230]

@@buckn32 Marcus Luttrel....lol.

[@TrinkaCrutchfield]

4:30 I have a 2014 ford edge anything I should be aware of

[@kenlewis6387]

skip to 3:12

[@buckn32]

Thanks Ken!

[@christarohdy5655]

thanks for the simple run down on where to check the fluids. super helpful! 🙂

[@samyfodil2790]

You talk to much. Go straight to the facts no need to talk about anything else like other cars. Video confusing but still helps

[@buckn32]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@mybasicyoutubename3831]

I can confirm the 2013 Ford Edge SE 2.0 FWD w/ Ecoboost does have a fill tube by the airbox in the engine compartment, but it DOES NOT have a dipstick. You check the level by pulling an "Oil Leveling Plug" on the side of the transmission and slowly fill until fluid drips out hole. Proper fill level is at bottom of that hole.

[@brandycundiff9544]

Where the heck is the oil leveling plug?

[@brandycundiff9544]

I think I have the same but maybe not because I don't see a fill tube by the air filter

[@troybarnes502]

My 2014 Edge owners manual says there are 2 transmissions offered. One you are able to check the fluid and the other you can't. Says you have to see the dealer to add or check fluid level. I have the one that you are able to check and add fluid and it's capacity is 11 Quarts. The other one has a fluid level of 9 Quarts.

[@buckn32]

Lol and why there’s one you cannot check is beyond me 😳 ... kinda like there’s PTUs with drain plugs and PTUs without them.

[@troybarnes502]

@@buckn32 I wonder if that's for the AWD model? If they make such an animal for the Edge

[@buckn32]

Ya the PTU is only on AWD... which do you have? Front Wheel Drive I assume?

[@petegilbride8230]

@@buckn32 I was VERY close to drilling/tapping a drain plug in my 2010 Edge Limited PTU last time I changed the fluid. I thought the better of it and didn't want to wreck it; but man would it be handy.

[@buckn32]

Believe me same thoughts crossed my mind. I came to grips with it only being a $1000 dollar part and the ease tapping afforded me with a better service for removing most of the fluid seemed justifiable.

[@andrewfreeman88]

Buck your a great mechanic, do you know about Outboards motors? I would love to see a video on how to tune one up. 2 stroke or 4. I wish you could teach me

[@buckn32]

Andrew Freeman I have yet to attempt tearing apart an outboard motor. I have a little experience with small engines and so I am sure it’s not too much different, the caveat is I haven’t torn a combustion engine apart in over a decade. I do have a few videos tearing apart electric pump motors which are much simpler but I know that doesn’t particularly help you right now.

[@andrewfreeman88]

Thanks Buck apparently they are not too difficult to work on I'm seen some videos online and they just require special tools and oils but most everything is the same.

[@AR41035]

@bucknewby hey can u tell me where the input n output turbine speed sensors are, we have the same ford tkx

[@buckn32]

I have never done that job myself, I know it’s a problem but if I remember correctly it’s over a 4 hour job. I know there’s a video circulated about how to do that repair but it isn’t mine.

[@AR41035]

@@buckn32 tkx, I seen a video about it's behind the airbox well under, and I realized the trans is on the driver side

[@redraif]

Thank you for the Video. I am about to go inspect a used Lincoln MKX for a friend and I needed to know all the fluid locations without access to a owners manual.

[@buckn32]

redraif glad I was able to help you out 😄 lemme know if you have any questions that arise!

[@redraif]

@@buckn32 he decided to purchase the 2007 MKX... I have subbed your page to get info for him. Keep up the great work!!!

[@buckn32]

redraif glad to hear it! Thanks! All cars have their issues and if he takes good care of the MKX maintenance wise it should take care of him. I generally start with the idea I need to replace all fluids after buying a car. Is it an AWD?

[@thomaszumbach1135]

I have a 2011 Ford edge and when I slow down and quickly speed up it’s slams into gear. This happens a few times a month. Any suggestions?

[@buckn32]

You getting any lights on the dash?

[@thomaszumbach1135]

Nope, no lights. I just makes a loud thud and keeps on goin.

[@willedwards6234]

@@thomaszumbach1135 my 2008 ford edge does the same thing. Now its getting hard to shift. Any ideas

[@buckn32]

Both of these sound like what was happening to mine before switching from the Mercon V to the Valvoline Maxlife ATF. After I did my five time drain and fill, literally haven’t had a hard loud shift like that for last 18 months.

[@franniebanani6532]

Thomas Zumbach maybe u need to add urine I've done this and saves on gasoline better performance

[@johnmartin1904]

How do you get the cap off, ?

[@robzgodinski5737]

3rd gear shifts/slides in 4th as rpms increases 1000rpms for a second, then seems fine. Have not eval'd trans oil or prob ever changed at 170k miles

[@troybarnes502]

I just Googled it and they DO make a AWD. I have the FWD.

[@buckn32]

Gotcha, the PTU is one of the biggest headaches most people have with the edge. If AWD is not needed the FWD version suits most people best and happens to alleviate the PTU problem.

[@petegilbride8230]

@@buckn32 Just have to change the PTU fluid every 20-30k miles or so....so it doesn't sludge up. Boy is it disgusting though. It's like oil paste. Needs to be sucked out from the top of the PTU also, no drain plug.

[@brandycundiff9544]

My Ford Edge doesn't have the fill tube like yours does. Smh. I'm kind of lost with where I check it at.

[@dylanhasel2027]

W hey thanks a lot man cuz I was I was looking at I didn't know where to find the transmission dipstick at so and then I heard the 2007s were bad on them transmission slippage but hey man heads up thanks a lot brother

[@joseroginoveloso6423]

Do you always fill it just on the middle mark, how about at the top mark or full?

[@buckn32]

I like to be in the middle with the transmission fluid because it expands when it gets hot and this way I know even in the summer it will stay within the optimal range when the fluid could potentially expand a little more. Engine oil is a different story. I usually fill that to the top mark.

[@dashielbradley8106]

Do all Ford Edge motors sound like that when it's running? Cause I thought something was wrong with my motor

[@buckn32]

Idk my wife’s 2017 explorer sounds similar. Just a little quieter.

[@Jimmy-dd5kg]

They all sound like that and there’s nothing wrong with the motor that’s just you lol

[@troybarnes502]

I just did the drain and fill thing 4 times. I think it still only has 70% new transmission fluid. I've tried to do the math to know the true number but I am not good at math! Can you do the flush with the hoses coming out of the Transmission cooler? Older cars and trucks it seems you can. But I haven't seen any Edge videos with someone doing this. Everyone seems to do the drain and fill method. Which doesn't get all the old stuff out.

[@estrellavargas8189]

My Ford Edge 2007 definitely doesn’t have a dip stick.

[@8Olivia8]

Thank you for showing where the various tanks were.

[@buckn32]

Olivia no problem at all! I hope it helps in your automotive journeys ahead! 😄

[@8Olivia8]

Buck Newby I was able to pinpoint that it was a power steering leak. The Stop Leak I added didn't work. Mechanic said it is the return hose, so not too bad. Your video helped me to know how to check fluid levels. Thank you again.

[@TomLoucks-u3p]

Do we check transmission fluid, engine running or not running an do we screw it down to get reading ?

[@Pokefan8263]

Is it ok if the fluid is clear/no color?

[@buckn32]

Probably, at first the fluid is such a light pink it’s almost impossible to see on the dipstick. Once it starts going bad it’s easy to see because it turns from pink to red to dark brown color.

[@justinbowles4388]

I have a 2008 and the transmission shifts hard from 2nd to 3rd and 4th. Changed output sensor and input sensor and that did not solve my problems. Have any idea what else it could be? Any advice would be appreciative!

[@buckn32]

And what fluid have you been running?

[@justinbowles4388]

Buck Newby mercon v. Just because that’s what it called for.

[@buckn32]

Okay I would seriously try running the Valvoline MaxLife... if you do a google search for it and go to the product specification page, you’ll find that it meets specification for Mercon LV and because California has some silly law they cannot legally stamp on the bottle, but it also meets specification for Mercon V in all states except California. You can look into that however you want, but I take that to mean it’s good to go. It literally stopped any hard shifting symptoms I had. I took that thing to California twice from Washington state. Once with Mercon V ATF in the tranny and once with Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic ATF. Literally LA stop in go traffic was a nightmare because I thought my tranny would blow the first time, the second time I didn’t even notice one hard shift. So I’d try doing the four time drain and fill. Explore my transmission videos, they should give more in-depth information about the topic. Follow up with me I want to know how it goes!

[@justinbowles4388]

Buck Newby I appreciate it! Will check out your videos! Subscribed! Thanks again!

[@buckn32]

No problem buddy. I’m here to help through sharing my experiences. My opinion (keep in mind I’m just a dude on the internet) is the reason Ford switched from the V to the LV is because the recognized the inferiority of the fluid and literally I’ve never heard of someone doing a TSS/OSS swap on an Edge that is newer than 2010, which coincidentally is when they changed over factory filled fluids to the LV. Those sensors are critical parts of transmissions and if the only thing changed is the fluid it makes me think the fluid is the problem. There’s other issues with it to, like why does the Mercon V fluid smell burnt after a few hundred miles of driving while I’ve gone 10,000+ miles and never smelt that with the Mercon LV. Rant over, but all this information checked enough boxes for me to conclude the Mercon V is the root problem.

[@13162820]

my friend you talked very basic

[@buckn32]

Is that a good thing for you? Some people need it in simple terms, if that’s you hopefully this was helpful.

[@buckn32]

Is that a good thing for you? Some people need it in simple terms, if that’s you hopefully this was helpful.

[@martinwiebe125]

Do you know how much fluid to add to start it m? My moms trans cooler blew and lost a lot of fluid, I think pretty much all of it do you what the capacity is?

[@buckn32]

Martin Wiebe sorry I just got back from Yellowstone and had no cell service in there... literally had to make a phone call out with a pay phone at one point. I do not know the capacity off the top of my head, I think I’d need to go to my owners manual. Did you find the answer already or are you still looking? Again I’m sorry for not giving a prompt reply.

[@MACTFordEdge]

Keep rocking it on.

[@pablopadilla7030]

Thank you for the Video

[@kylestringer7879]

Looked this up to figure out where I check my granny fluid. Still no clue where it is

[@Dj4800moviestudio]

Bruh there is no saving you.

[@buckn32]

Agreed. I’m pretty lost.

[@louislaspata6231]

My tran fluid is leaking very little once a week. Ford said it was the seals from the wheels. Is this expensive to fix?

[@youtubecensorseverythingIsay]

Yes

[@louislaspata6231]

@@youtubecensorseverythingIsay that's a great answer. You have no idea what it would cost or what the problem is.

[@youtubecensorseverythingIsay]

@@louislaspata6231 you said it's leaking from the seal and asked if it's expensive, yes it's expensive to change the seal you speak of, next time ask a better question

[@louislaspata6231]

@@youtubecensorseverythingIsay No. What one man thinks is expensive but cheap to someone else. It's all relative, so your answer doesn't help.

[@youtubecensorseverythingIsay]

@@louislaspata6231 so word your questions a bit more wisely next time

[@aminubabayi]

Hi, and thanks for the video. I've got a 2008 Ford Edge and the transmission fluid dipstick looked really dry. But will try again when the engine is really hot. What fluid is preferable? You spoke about the Mercon LV fluid. Is it better than the Mercon V? And will mobil1 brand suffice?

[@buckn32]

Aminu Babayi yes I have been using the Mercon LV instead of the Mercon V for the last 10 months and have noticed improved performance with smoother shifting. I use the Valvoline Maxlife with no complaints! I do not know about how the mobile 1 will perform.

[@andrewfreeman88]

You use the Mercon LV or the Valvoline Maxlife? I'm a bit confused here. Thanks.

[@buckn32]

Andrew Freeman Valvoline Maxlife is a multi-vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). It meets spec for Mercon LV applications and with a little digging through product specifications sheets online I have found Valvoline certifies that it also works in place of Mercon V... in every state except the state of California. I have switched from Mercon V to Mercon LV in my vehicle for the last year and it simply switching fluids has improved hard shifting issues we experienced last October!

[@andrewfreeman88]

Thanks again, I guess I will have to stick to Mercon LV since I am in California and their are more rules and regulations when it comes to CO2, pollutants, and guns for that matter...I agree with the first half but the not second..Cheers mate!

[@buckn32]

Andrew Freeman I realize that may have come across unclear. The Mercon LV and Valvoline Maxlife are one in the same. Mercon V is not what I run anymore. I flushed my transmission with Mercon V a couple months-April or May 2017-after I bought our edge used. (Which is what a 2007 calls for in owners manual). By September of 2017 I was experiencing hard shifting issues and thought it was the TSS/OSS sensors that are a common problem with first generation Ford Edges. In lue of tearing my transmission apart I figured what would it hurt to flush it out again with Mercon LV (Valvoline Maxlife)... if my transmission is already having problems then this couldn’t make it any worse. So that’s what I did, I have a full video on the 5x drain and fill. I got that done in October of 2017 and haven’t had a single hard shift since... and believe me they were hard shifts, as in a loud clunk-bang type noise. I don’t know why there isn’t any print material out saying it’s okay to use the Mercon LV in Vehicles that the owners manual says Mercon V... but my experiences have informed me that the LV is what I’m going to use going forward and the Valvoline Maxlife ATF is the brand I have been using with no ill side effects.

[@ponewatt8140]

thank you for sharing.

[@igorp9970]

Hey thxs for the vids. Just subscribed. Keep it up. Find your vids usefull since i have a 2017 ford edge sport. Can you continue to post some vids on commom edge problems the symptoms, potential causes, and prevention? Thxs again.

[@buckn32]

Igor P that’s my plan! Have a traction control light that’s lit up right now. On newer edges like yours it would show a “service advance-traction” message in your display. So we will work through it and post.

[@LIZD990AM]

alright just what I was looking for tnx!!

[@buckn32]

No problem! Glad I could help on this one ☝️... before I was somewhat novice 😅. I just went through and added some cards to the previous video hopefully to send future watchers to this one to avoid frustrating the watcher. I’m still trying to get a hang of making videos and putting stuff out that helps people with wasting the least bit of their time!