Where and How to Add Transmission Fluid in a Ford F150
The Ford F150 is one of the most popular pickup trucks in the United States because of its reliability and high-power output. It’s not just the engine that’s reliable on the F150, but the transmission as well.
The transmission on the F150 has been modified and upgraded multiple times in the last three decades. Ford also upgraded the way to refill the transmission with fluid.
Let’s see where and how to add transmission fluid in a Ford F150 truck.
How to Locate and Check the Transmission Fluid Level
On a Ford F150 with a 4R70 or 4R75 transmission
Ford F150 pickup trucks manufactured until 2008 have a 4R70 or a 4R75 transmission. Both of these transmissions were similar and required fluid change every 30,000 miles.
For that reason, Ford manufactured these F150 trucks with built-in transmission dipsticks inside the engine compartment.
When you open the hood, you can locate the transmission dipstick to the left of the engine and use it to check the transmission fluid in your truck. Ensure to warm up your truck so the transmission fluid can reach a temperature of 206-215°F.
Take the dipstick out, clean it with a clean cloth, and insert it back in. Pull it out again and read the markings to check the transmission fluid level.
On a Ford F150 with a 6R80 or 10R80 transmission
Starting from 2009 up until 2017, the Ford F150 had the 6R80 transmission.
This transmission was “sealed-for-life” by Ford. It didn’t require frequent maintenance like the older transmission models. The same pattern followed from 2018-present, when Ford manufactured the 10R80 transmission that is still used today.
Ford removed the transmission fluid dipstick from the engine compartment on the F150 truck with the 6R80 and 10R80 transmissions. They placed it underneath the truck instead.
To access it, you must get under the truck and look for a small screw-in dipstick on the passenger side. Unscrew the dipstick, remove it, and clean it with a clean cloth. Then insert it back into the transmission, remove it, and read the fluid level.
Ensure to warm up your truck before checking so the transmission fluid can reach a temperature of 206-215°F.
Where and How to Add Transmission Fluid in a Ford F150
Now that you know how to check the fluid level, let’s see where and how to add transmission fluid in a Ford F150.
How to add fluid to a 4R70 or 4R75 transmission
Adding transmission fluid to the F150 trucks with the 4R70 or 4R75 transmission models is easier since you can do it through the transmission dipstick tube.
Before adding the fluid, however, start the truck and let it run for about 15-30 minutes. This will give the engine time to heat up properly and allow the transmission fluid to reach a temperature of 206-215°F.
Insert a funnel into the dipstick tube and add transmission fluid. Recheck the fluid level frequently with the dipstick to ensure you don’t add too much fluid.
Once you’re done, start the engine and let the transmission fluid cycle through the gears, lubricating them.
How to add fluid to a 6R80 or 10R80 transmission
Since the 6R80 and 10R80 transmissions have a small fluid dipstick underneath the vehicle, adding transmission fluid requires more skill.
You will also need a fluid pump to add fluid to these transmissions. There are plenty of them to choose from, and a simple one like VEVOR will do the job. You can also use a fluid pump to extract old fluid from the transmission entirely.
Here’s how to add fluid to a 6R80 or 10R80 transmission:
- Warm up your F150 so that the liquid reaches a temperature of 206-215°F.
- Lift the truck with a jack, and use jack stands directly under the lifting points.
- Crawl underneath the vehicle and get the screw-in dipstick.
- Remove the dipstick and measure the fluid level (making sure the fluid is hot).
- Insert one end of the fluid pump hole into the dipstick hole of the transmission.
- Pump fluid slowly.
- Recheck the fluid level and repeat the process.
- Once you’re done, screw the dipstick in place and let the truck run for 15 minutes so that the fluid can lubricate the gears.
- Unscrew the dipstick and recheck the level. Add more fluid if needed.
Note that this process is more complicated, and if you’re unsure that you can do it, take your F150 to an authorized mechanic.
