Q: The '97 Mercury Tracer I just bought desperately needs the transmission fluid changed. I checked and the fluid is clear, but brown. The car has 35k miles and the trans fluid has never been changed. I looked in the owners manual to see what type of fluid it requires and how often it should be changed. The owner's manual said to check the "service guide" that came with the car. I checked the "service guide" cover to cover and found absolutely no mention of the transmission! It gives specific info on intervals for maintenance, but no mention of changing transmission fluid! What gives? How often should it be changed and what type of fluid is needed? I've always been told to change transmission fluid every 10k miles. Being that it's never been changed in this car in the first 35k miles of the car's life, it has me very nervous.
A: OK, its time..... 10 years is a life time for any trans fluid. You need to change it, it all has to come out. Take it to a dealer ( Ford / Lincoln) or a quick lube place that offer the "Power Flush" Trans Service. It removes almost 99% of the fluid, you will also need a filter change to. This will be about $150.00 dollars where ever you take it....BUT TAKE!!!! A new trans will be about $2000.00 for that car, it was made in Brazil.