2004 Ford Ranger 3.0 manual transmission. What is the proper fluid to use when changing the fluid in the manual transmission. Is it ATF or is it 90 weight gear oil

DEX-CVT® fluid, P/N 15250985 - gallon, P/N 15234609

Hi Steve:
It might be a good idea to check the specified lubricant for the transmission.
In my experience, only automatic transmissions use ATF.
Manual transmissions usually use gear oil.
Personally, I would not drive it any more until I knew I had the correct fluid in it.

could have faulty governor.throttle cable need adjustment.the 83 - 90 models you need to adjust front and rear bands in the transmission.

It is very important to change the filter in the pan, at the valve body, even if you have an inline magnetic filter for the ATF and I will tell you why.

My transmission mechanic Gaby, at Jul's Transmission in Hollywood, Ca. showed me last week a 2005 Ford Expedition 4wd automatic transmission's pan filter that was completely plugged/blocked, where the owner had installed an aftermarket drain plug in the transmission oil pan so that he could do regular ATF fluid changes to keep his transmission running longer.

He did not drop the transmission pan and change the filter inside at anytime. All he did was kill his ******* sooner by having a plugged up pan filter and the valve body was heavily layered in wear materials from the transmission.... His transmission crapped out at 38,000 miles. His FORD dealer had warned him that prior to installing the drain plug in his transmission oil pan, that his warranty was void on the transmission if he did that.

You're absolutely right about keeping ATF fluid clean and that inline magnetic filter for the transmission from BOSS products sounds like a great idea! I am planning to check it out and install one on my newly rebuilt 4R55E 2wd transmission. Thanks for the tip! :-)

Change the ATF fluid and pan filter and put on a new pan gasket once a year/12,000 miles. If you have a 4x4 (4WD) and do alot of offroading or if you do a lot of towing with your 4x2 (2WD) you should check your ATF even sooner and change as necessary due to it being burned or a high content of worn materials (friction material, metal, etc.) suspended in the ATF oil.

The filter in the pan mounts right at the valve body and also there is a magnet in the pan itself. That is another reason to once a year (or as driving conditions warrant) drop the pan and change the filter and clean the pan magnet.


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If it is an automatic you need to use ATF. If it is a manual you will need 85/90 w gear oil.

on the drives side of your trans should be a plug like 7/8 not on the bottom but on the side pull plug out my truck uses ATF stick finger in hole to see if you use ATF if so fill till fliud leeks out then relplug check owners manual for rite fliud

1992 Ford Ranger came with two different type of 5 speed stander transmission's that year.

For a Mazda stander trans it take's Automatic transmission fluid Mercon.

for a Mitsubishi stander transmission it take's Ford manual transmission fluid.

Hope this help's.

DONT USE GEAR OIL IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. it will blow your seals out. the gear oil is too heavy and will block passages in the tranny

I know this sounds crazy according to Ford:

You can use-
Motorcraft MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX MERCON® Alternative Transaxle Fluid - SAE 75W90 Gear Oil F32Z-19C547-MA API GL-4
You are seeing that right, one instance they call for 75W90 and the other it is ATF. It is ok to run either, 75W90 will give you smoother shifts and less noise.

This transmission is filled through the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) hole.

AUTOMATIC
Front differential: 1.3 quarts of 75w-90 gear oil
Transmission:(pan drain and refill only)
4 quarts of Dexron III ATF

MANUAL
(front diff and transmission are same fill point)
3.05 quarts of 75w-90 gear oil