No transmission dipstick 2003 mercury mountaineer

I have recently changed and added fluid to my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer with help from a Chilton manual. None of the answers posted so far are quite correct...and since I researched this for months before finding a proper solution I figured I would let everyone know how to do this.

Tools needed: Mercon V trans fluid, torx head socket to remove trans drain/add plug, an adjustable wrench to loosen the main bolt on the drain/add plug, a pump to add fluid back in, and (if possible) a temp gun like a service station would use. Last, but not least, you will need a special nozel that fits in the bottom of the drain hole to add fluid back in with. (I could only find this at OReilly's. It was a special order from 'OTC' <OTC Part No. 6604>

In my opinion this is a terribly designed transmission. To add, remove, or check fluid follow these steps:

1. Heat fluid to 180 degrees F.
2. Raise entire vehicle using a level to make sure the vehicle is completely level.
3. With foot on break, shift through all gears, place back in park.
4. Go under transmission pan, and by using torx head socket (and PB blaster or you'll break the socket), Loosen the middle plug on the main trans drain plug. (There is a larger bolt head on the drain plug with a smaller plug inside it)
5. Replace center plug with OTC part No 6604.
6. Loosen, (but not all the way) the main bolt plug.
7. Now, this will tell you your fluid level. (Per Chiltons manual: If fluid pours out your trans is overfilled. If fluid drips out the level is ok. If no fluid comes out, add and repeat until you get a slow drip, indicating the proper level.
7B. If you need to add fluid, at this point you would use the pump. They make plunger pumps for differentials that are supposed to work well, but I used a simple $3.99 bulb pump just fine.
8. When level is correct, tighten main bolt.
9. Remove OTC No. 6604
10. Replace center plug with torx head socket.

That sounds complicated but it's not bad once you have what you need. The BIG problem is that this IS a sealed trans. Ok for BMWs...not so good on a Ford products! SO, if your fluid level begins to become inconsistent be vigilant. Because there is likely an underlying problem causing this.

Temp Gun Note: The temp gun is to make sure your fluid is at 180 degrees. However, Chilton reports that this is about where it would be after driving around the block a couple times. Since I'm not a pro, and don't have one, I did the latter and it worked fine.

HOPE THIS HELPS!!! This was tough for me to research, but my Mountaineer runs fine (relatively speaking :) and I know very little about fixing cars. Just researched it till I found the correct fix.

Peace, and good luck!

My 2003 awd is a maintainence free trans it uses mercon v trans fluid you need a special pump to change the fluid i have to take it to a transmission shop to have the trans fluid replaced. no dip stick.

The transmission level check is located on the transmission pan,there is a drain plug with a screw in the middle ( the screw is a torque head screw ) remove this screw and the oil should trickel out if full

On some models there is no dipstick only a screw on the side of the gearbox ,if the screw has been removed the level of the fuel should be right there in the screw hole.This kind of screw can be recognized easily ,it is different then the others,usually same shape as the drain screw.