Drain Automatic Transmission Fluid and Replace Filter

• 1). Park the Explorer on a level surface, such as the garage or the street. Place wheel chocks in front of and behind one of the rear wheels.
  
  
• 2). Place the jack under the front frame cross member and lift your Explorer far enough that you can fit comfortably underneath it.
  
  
• 3). Place the jack stands on either side of the jack and carefully lower the vehicle onto the stands.
  
  
• 4). Slide the drain pan umbrella on the drain pan and slide it under the truck behind the transmission. Place the tools under the truck where they are easily accessible. Slide under the vehicle to here you can easily reach all of the bolts on the transmission pan.
  
  
• 5). Loosen the transmission pan bolts by rotating them counterclockwise. Remove three bolts from one corner, leaving the rest of the bolts in to hold the pan when you loosen it.
  
  
• 6). Slide the drain pan with the umbrella under the transmission pan.
  
  
• 7). Insert the tip of the screwdriver between the pan and the transmission case in the corner you removed the bolts from. Twist the screwdriver to break the seal of the gasket. Adjust the drain pan to ensure that the fluid is caught in the umbrella.
  
  
• 8). Hold the pan with one hand to keep it from falling. Remove the remaining bolts working away from the corner. Pour the remaining fluid into the pan.
  
  
• 9). Slide out from under the truck, bringing the transmission pan with you.
  
  
• 10
  
  Clean the inside of the transmission pan with the parts cleaner spray. Wipe any residue from the pan with the rags. Scrape the gasket from the mating surface of the pan.
  
  
• 11
  
  Slide the clean pan and new gasket and filter under the truck where you can reach them. Slide back under the truck.
  
  
• 12
  
  Remove the gasket remnants from the transmission case using the gasket scraper.
  
  
• 13
  
  Remove the old filter from the valve body using the 3/8 socket, by rotating the bolts counterclockwise.
  
  
• 14
  
  Pull the old filter off the valve body and set it in the drain pan umbrella. Line the filter up with the bolt holes and insert the bolts through the holes and rotate them clockwise finger tight. Tighten the bolts to 20 to 30 foot-pounds using the ratchet.
  
  
• 15
  
  Place the pan gasket on the pan and use four of the bolts to hold the gasket in place. Lift the pan into place against the transmission case. Rotate the bolts clockwise to tighten them finger tight. Insert and tighten the remaining bolts.
  
  
• 16
  
  Tighten the bolts to approximately 30 foot-pounds using the ratchet.
  
  
• 17
  
  Slide the oil drain pan out from under the truck, being careful not to spill. Slide out from under the truck, bringing the tools with you.
  
  
• 18
  
  Open the hood. Remove the transmission dipstick and insert the transmission funnel into the dipstick tube.
  
  
• 19
  
  Pour 4 quarts of transmission fluid into the funnel carefully. Remove the funnel and reinsert the dipstick.
  
  
• 20
  
  Start the truck and cycle the transmission through the gears, keeping the shift lever in each gear for about 5 seconds before shifting to the next gear. Put the transmission in Park and check the fluid level. Add fluid as necessary to bring the level to full.