How to Change the Transmission Fluid in a Crown Victoria

by Dan Ferrell

Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Replacing the automatic transmission oil on your Crown Victoria will help increase its service life. Better yet, you can do the job at home yourself without special tools. However, you need to follow a proper procedure to rid the transmission of most harmful particles floating inside the transmission and prevent the oil pan from developing leaks afterward, according to James E. Duffy in "Modern Automotive Technology."

Draining the Fluid

Step 1

Warm up your engine and transmission to operating temperature. If you prefer, you may run some errands and drive your vehicle for about 15 minutes prior to the oil change. This will help the fluid flush most of the metal, friction and dirt particles in the oil.

Step 2

Park your Crown Victoria in a level surface and shift the transmission to Neutral (N).

Step 3

Lift the front of the vehicle using a floor jack and support it on two jack stands.

Step 4

Block the rear wheels with a couple of wood blocks.

Step 5

Place a large catch pan under the transmission oil pan.

Step 6

Start loosening the mounting bolts on the sides and front of the oil pan using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

Step 7

Loosen about four turns the mounting bolts at the rear of the oil pan using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Let the oil start draining on the catch pan. If necessary, lightly strike the oil pan with a rubber mallet to detach the pan from the bottom of the transmission.

Step 8

Continue loosening the back mounting bolts as you let the oil drain. When you are ready to remove it, hold the bottom of the oil pan with a shop rag and finish unscrewing the rear mounting bolts. Then carefully lower the pan over the catch pan and tilt it to drain the remaining of the oil.

Step 9

Remove the oil pan and pan gasket from the vehicle.

Refilling the Transmission

Step 1

Clean thoroughly the oil pan, transmission mating surface and the magnet inside the pan.

Step 2

Place a new pan gasket on the pan and set the oil pan and gasket in place at the bottom of the transmission. Make sure the magnet is inside the pan.

Step 3

Start the pan mounting bolts by hand using the ratchet extension and socket only.

Step 4

Begin to tighten the bolts gradually following an even and crisscross pattern. The bolts should be tightened just enough to allow the gasket form a seal between the pan and bottom of the transmission without distorting or damaging the gasket.

Step 5

Add 5 quarts of new transmission oil to the transmission through the transmission dipstick using a funnel. If necessary, check your car owner’s manual for the recommended transmission oil for your particular vehicle year and model.

Step 6

Start the vehicle and let the engine and transmission reach operating temperature checking for oil leaks around the transmission pan.

Step 7

Turn off the engine and lower your vehicle.

Step 8

Check the oil level and add more new transmission oil to bring the level up to the Full mark. Consult your car owner’s manual for the correct amount of oil and procedure to check oil level for your particular vehicle year and model if necessary.