What is the transmission fluid capacity of a Ford Taurus - Mercury Sable?

Answer 1

Taurus / Sable transmission capacities by type and model year

Model Years

Engine 0r Trans Code

Quarts / Litres

1986

2.5 - 4 cylinder

8.3

3.0

10.9

1987

2.5 - 4 cylinder8.4

3.0

13.1

1988-1993

2.5 - 4 cylinder

8.4

3.0 & 3.8

12.8

1994-19953.0 & 3.8

12.3

3.2 SHO

12.3

1996-2000 AX4S - Vulcan

12.2 / 11.6

AX4N - Vulcan

13.5 / 12.8

AX4N - Duratec / SHO

13.4 / 12.7

2001-2007

AX4S - Vulcan

(n/a after 2003)

12.2 / 11.6

4F50N - Vulcan 13.5 / 12.8

4F50N - Duratec

(n/a after 2005)

13.4 / 12.7

2008

unidentified

10.0 / 9.5

These capacity specifications are if the transmission is totally empty, and here's the clincher for us average types: including the torque converter and radiator tank.

For us average types, even when doing a Transmission Fluid / filter change, do not end up with an empty torque converter.

When you pull the transmission pan for the fluid/filter change, you end up with 4-6 quarts on average. The rest is still up inside the torque converter.

Measure what you drained and start with refilling that amount to put back in to return levels back to normal.

If you're adding fluid, simply use the dipstick - according to the illustrated instructions in the Owners Manual - and add what is necessary.

NOTE: This is one of the points of distinction to having the transmission "flushed" - where a professional shop is going to hookup specialized equipment to achieve a full fluid exchange, or you do the flush yourself ( See "Related Questions" below).

Note #2: Many experts (like the guys on "The Car Show" radio program) assert that exchanging 50-60% of the fluids like would happen when doing a fluid/filter change is GOOD. The oil itself is not deteriorating so much as, what they call the "additive package" dissipates. So the percentage from doing the fluid/filter revives the "additive package" sufficient to support the long life of the transmission.

See "Related Questions" below for much much more - including links to your very own electronic copy of 1996 or newer Taurus/Sable Owners Manuals.

What's My Transmission Type?This answer differentiates depending on the transmission and the engine equipped. Normally the 1998+ year model Taurus/Sables had the AX4N Transaxle, whereas the 1996-1997 models had the AX4S. However due to transmission replacements and "one-off's" at the factory, many 1996+ Model Tauri were shipped with the AX4N transaxle and some 1998+ models had the AX4S.

To determine which transmission you have its as easy as climbing under the car and counting the bolts on the transmission pan. You can tell because this will be the largest pan on the vehicle. The AXOD-E (AX4S) has 17 Bolts. the AX4N has 19 Bolts.

Another way to tell is some pans may have AXOD METRIC or AX4N METRIC stamped on it. If it says AXOD METRIC you have the AX4S. (the AX4S used many parts from the AXOD transmission and they are brothers in design however the AX4S is electronic controlled and features some improvements over the AXOD.) If your Pan says AX4N you obviously Have the AX4N.

AnswerThat depends on what kind of transmission service we are doing. If we are dropping the pan and replacing the filter, you only get a little more than 1/3 of the fluid out, so we only need about 5 quarts. If we are flushing the transmission, which exchanges all the fluid in the transmission and torque converter, we need about 14 quarts. BTW, use Mercon V fluid.
read the dipstick while engine is running...and a manual will help with diagnosis and repair, and a shop manual should be available at the local library in the reference section for FREE, make copies of the right pages, good luck...:)