Tranny Fluid

[Flw Sock]

I have a bone stock 1993 Ford festiva 5-speed and want to change tranny fluid.

Where is the drain plug?

How much fluid do I use to refill?

What fluid do I use?

Where the hell is the dipstick for the tranny fluid?


Thanks!

[jtugfestiva]

The auto transmission takes about 3.5-4 quarts kinda forgot how much. You can use regular mercon/dextron III or even mercon V. I myself stick to the older stuff. The drain plug is located on the left side behind the rear of the transmission oil pan. Its located right on the bottom of the housing for the automatic transmission. THe drain plug is i think size 18mm or 19mm not to sure. The manual transmision is i think the same but not too sure. You need to check the fluid after putting in 3 quarts then check it while its running. Car should be warm and not hot. after 3 quarts add only pints or small amount and keep rechecking.

[Flw Sock]

Where is the dipstick? I can't find it! Am I blind or do I have to check it some other way?

[jtugfestiva]

When looking at the engine its on the right side right below the master cylinder.

[bravekozak]

To check the fill level and to add fluid on a manual trasmission you must remove the speedometer drive gear. There is no dipstick.

[crazyrog17]

Tranny Fluid

Single 10mm bolt on a flange that the speedo-cable comes from. Pull the whole aluminum piece out carefully, making sure not to let the speedo-gear fall in. There's a fluid level indicator on there which you can read.

[blkfordsedan]

Drain plug is in the bottom...access it through a hole in the engine support cradle. It takes 2.6 qts, if I remember correctly. Most common fluid is Dextron II (ATF), although a light gear oil is acceptable as well. I am going to try Synchromesh fluid in mine, and some companies like Redline make special fluid designed for manual transaxles that call for ATF. These fluids offer better gear protection and the proper friction for synchros. If you stick with ATF, avoid the synthetics. They are actually too slick for proper synchro function. Yes, the end of the speedo cable doubles as the dipstick. Make sure you clean the dirt and gravel off the trans in the area around it before you remove it. The last thing you want is to knock a bunch of dirt and crap into the hole on accident.

[drddan]

^ Last 2 answers are right on! For clarification, the speedo cable on the tranny is the dipstick, and there are raised marks showing the fluid level inside the hole the speedo goes in. Sometimes hard to see, use a source of light, or flashlight and you will see the marks.

[jtugfestiva]

My bad I didn't see that he was talking about a 5spd :/

[GenevaDirt]

My bad I didn't see that he was talking about a 5spd :/

go to your room and think about what you have done....then after you have contemplated.....I want you to walk out in the back yard and find me a switch off that weeping willow tree. You will think twice before doing that again.....hehehehe

[Bert]

To check the fill level and to add fluid on a manual trasmission you must remove the speedometer drive gear. There is no dipstick.

This is correct. Not one of Ford/Mazda/Kia's better ideas. You're going to need a long piece of tubing and a funnel. And do not overfill. The manual says to use Mercon ATF (works fine in my cars) but I'm told lower weight regular tranny fluids also works.

[valelotax]

Ok, so why would the speedometer gear fall? And is it the same gear on the speedometer assembly, or a gear with in the transmission?

[Flw Sock]

EDIT: Nevermind

[Flw Sock]

Is this the speedo gear I have to remove? It's much bigger than 10mm....

http://imgur.com/u8gc5

[Pu241]

Is this the speedo gear I have to remove? It's much bigger than 10mm....

http://imgur.com/u8gc5

No, that is a switch on your transmission.

Follow the speedo cable from the engine compartment firewall down to the transmission.
That is the speedo gear assembly.
The top hexagonal part unscrews from the bottom part, separating the speedo cable from the speedo gear assembly.
the bottom part is held to the transmission by a 10 mm bolt on an ear off the gear assembly.
clean the area before removing any of these as crude will fall into the transmission if not.

See above for drain plug on the underside of the transmission see blkfordsedan's post.