10R60 Transmission

Greywolf · Dec 31, 2022

Folks I always check oil and fluids in all my engines and Trannies after about a month of buying the vehicle. Checked engine oil yesterday and I was 1 quart low, my fault and stupidity for not checking sooner I just assumed.

I don’t want to assume the same for my transmission and after doing some investigating I see that our Trannies in the ST is the 10R60. I need to get under and check the tranny dipstick for fluid level. What a stupid ass place for Ford to place it. I read that too. Many people were over filling Trannies, which forces the fluid up into the planetary gears and causes aeration which is a no-no. But then again that’s been true since the first day the tranny was invented. Therefore Ford needs to stop treating us like a bunch of idiots and make things 10 times more difficult to do.

Which leads me to the question the dipstick is numbered from one to five, what is the fluid level range for the 10R60 transmission? Thanks much.

Kgamber2 · Jan 5, 2023

Greywolf said:

Adam from ZFG noticed my tranny was skipping 2nd gear. Emailed me to check the Tran fluid. I have 15k miles on it. On the stick it sat on number 6 and should be between 3 and 4.5 for 10R60. That’s what I’ve found after some digging. I’m thinking I’m about 1-1.5 quarts low. Will be taking to shop to top off then continue datalogs.

Greywolf · Jan 5, 2023

Thank you that’s all I’ve been able to find out on the Internet that it needs to be between 3.5 and 4.5.
in the many years that I’ve dealt with engines and transmissions , I know for a fact that too much fluid is just as bad as not enough fluid in a tranny.

l1tech · Jan 5, 2023

On the dipstick for the ST the level should be between 3 and 4.5 WITH THE FLUID AT 206°-215°F. THE TEMP OF THE FLUID IS CRITICAL. If the fluid is too cold then the level will be low on the dipstick and vice versa.

Greywolf · Jan 5, 2023

l1tech said:

So for the dumb question, how will I know if it’s between 206° and 215°. would a 15 minute drive in normal traffic. Headed to within that range? Also, should the engine be running when checking?

Big Turk · Jan 6, 2023

Greywolf said:

I believe there is a transmission temperature in one of the menu displays. Otherwise, drive it normally for a trip and then check the fluid.

Greywolf · Jan 6, 2023

Thank you for all the answers. I finally was able to find a YouTube video.

l1tech · Jan 6, 2023

Greywolf said:

Good video. Depending on outside temps a 15 minute drive should be enough to bring the trans to temp but being that fluid temp is critical to proper fluid level I'd want to make sure. There is no trans temp in any of the gauges but I'm wondering if there is one in the hidden menu of the instrument cluster. A scan tool that has the capability to read the trans temp would be your best bet.

Big Turk · Jan 6, 2023

Check out Tow / Haul mode.

Big Turk · Jan 6, 2023

And boy is my dash dusty.

l1tech · Jan 6, 2023

Big Turk said:

What temperature is the C and what temperature is the H?

Big Turk · Jan 6, 2023

l1tech said:

Point made. You could drive your vehicle, switch to tow/haul mode and determine the normal operating temp range for your vehicle a few times and then use that knowledge to determine if your vehicle is in the range before checking the fluid. The harder part will be access to the hoist as recommended in the video. I think I would use four ramps, but hey nit pic to your hearts content. Geeesh.

FORZDA3 · Jan 6, 2023

I monitor the trans temp, among other things, via OBD app every time I drive the ExpST and in the inst panel on the Raptor. The ExpST has never been above 200Fand the Raptor ~190F. They both run ~180F during normal driving, so the spec is set to maximum anticipated temp at full hot.

Greywolf · Jan 7, 2023

FORZDA3 said:

I was thinking on doing the same thing I haven’t tried yet. I have a Phone app called Auto Doctor, which is actually on my laptop also and
connect to a wireless ODB connector. All my other cars tells me that tranny temp among many other useful data points. I never thought about using it on the explorer.

ConspicuousConsumption · Jan 14, 2023

If you were to just do a fluid change on the trans, could you safely do that cold? I mean, cold trans, drain the fluid and then fill to the fill line as the service manual specifies

Dale5403 · Jan 14, 2023

ConspicuousConsumption said:

I doubt it. If filled cold once it comes up to temp it would be overfilled then. You could under fill it, bring up to temp then top it off.

ConspicuousConsumption · Jan 14, 2023

Dale5403 said:

I understand. I guess I’m just worried about burning myself under there. I better just man up I guess

Dale5403 · Jan 14, 2023

ConspicuousConsumption said:

Yup. Not one of Fords better ideas.

boiler662 · Jan 15, 2023

At least you can check the fluid, anyone that had an Edge or Taurus knows the levels of Fords stupidity with "lifetime" fluids in transfer cases..... Yeah I put a couple of those drain plugs in over the years.....

viking · Jan 18, 2023

Greywolf said:

What a great Video. Answered most questions I had in regards to the tranny. Mine didn't want to shift out of 6th on a WOT freeway ramp entry pull yesterday going to redline and I finally had to let off. Freaked me out. Also the shifts in sport mode are terrible but I wasn't too concerned since that's been a known issue. Not sure if it's too full, too low, or other issues. So first thing I need to do is get under there and check level. At 14K right now. How in the hell do you fill with fluid..........must have to use a squeeze bottle and hose??

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