Low fluid levels on Fords to save a few bucks?

[hoodscoops]

Besides the oil levels, did anyone else check their differential/coolant and other misc fluid level. It seems like Ford is intentionally put the fluid levels slightly less than their recommended. My other family members bought an explorer and bronco and they all noticed their levels are slightly below average. Im guessing this is Fords way to save a few bucks.

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[Will2]

My 2024 Mustang Ecoboost was low on coolant (and maybe a slow leak?), traded in for a 2025 Mustang GT and took pictures of the starting coolant and oil levels after I got back from the dealership, mostly for monitoring purposes. The levels were OK on this one

 

[MAT1955]

@hoodscoops ...... This is the dealer's fault for not doing a proper PDI. I have been told by my brother-in-law, who was an automotive engineer for GM that they ship the levels slightly low on purpose as they cannot control temperature (expansion) and level at the factory - too high a fill is not good. Also, of importance, it is far easier and cheaper for the dealer to top up a level than to reduce (drain) one.

 

[hoodscoops]

@hoodscoops ...... This is the dealer's fault for not doing a proper PDI. I have been told by my brother-in-law, who was an automotive engineer for GM that they ship the levels slightly low on purpose as they cannot control temperature (expansion) and level at the factory - too high a fill is not good. Also, of importance, it is far easier and cheaper for the dealer to top up a level than to reduce (drain) one.

This is for transmission fluid too? the Explorer forums have been posting that it cam from the factory low.. I dont buy it. This is 2025 and this seem to be a ford thing only. They are trying to save a few bucks by not topping of their fluids

 

[MAT1955]

@hoodscoops ..... yes - I would certainly expect the transmission to be properly filled from the factory. I have not heard of one that was underfilled but there's lots I haven't heard of. On my 2014 Mustang checking the tranny oil was a pita. It had to be done hot and you had to be very careful to not break the plastic dip stick and then rest it atop the fill hole for a proper reading. Much easier done at a dealership.

 

[Gregs24]

Underfilling would not save money it would cost money in warranty claims!

 

[Paddles]

Underfilling would not save money it would cost money in warranty claims!

A surprising number of A10s have been discovered to be underfilled from the factory, usually by 1 to 2 quarts.

 

[Skye]

The condition of the 10R80 being low on fluid is not uncommon. While not seen on a consistent basis, it does happen. In the S550 forums, it was one of the first things to check when the trans was not shifting as well as the owner thought it should be.

My thinking is, being an new auto with all the interior cavities, the act of driving and shifting purges those areas of any air pockets and voids, the fluid being lower as a result. Not having a dipstick or ready availability to confirm the level and top up doesn't help.

If a 10R80 is otherwise working fine, no action required. If the trans doesn't seem up to snuff or is running hotter than expected (7G has several temperature threads), it's one of the first things to look into.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Questions remain! How would you know if the 10R80 is low? Did you jack up the car and check it yourself? The same goes for the rear end?

Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) could also stand for... Please Do It! I suspect some dealers just don't take the time to do a PDI correctly. I guess they think a good wash job is all that is necessary? I'd also bet no one has ever heard a dealer employee say... "Sorry for the delivery delay, but we're still doing the PDI."

One more thing. I've never been given a signed PDI form up on delivery. Have you?

 

[Paddles]

Questions remain! How would you know if the 10R80 is low? Did you jack up the car and check it yourself? The same goes for the rear end?

Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) could also stand for... Please Do It! I suspect some dealers just don't take the time to do a PDI correctly. I guess they think a good wash job is all that is necessary? I'd also bet no one has ever heard a dealer employee say... "Sorry for the delivery delay, but we're still doing the PDI."

One more thing. I've never been given a signed PDI form up on delivery. Have you?

Yep you have to jack the car up to check the fluid or bring it to a shop. Has to be checked hot and requires someone to move the gear shifter. Also the dipstick is coded instead of just full/minimum the tech has to look up where on the dipstick your car should be. It's basically the worst car fluid check procedure ever.

Common indicators for low fluid are clunks going into drive or reverse from park, slamming going into 3rd from 4th, and gears slipping on acceleration. The gears in an A10 have some whine but if your whine is really loud it's probably low fluid contributing.

It's common enough that personally I recommend checking the fluid level on any A10 if you haven't already.

 

[MAT1955]

@Alan Applegate ...... yes - you would have to jack the car ..... but - properly level to accurately read the stick. A lift would be far easier and while I have not removed the tranny stick for my 2024 GT on the 2014 it was east to break the plastic/composite stick ( and many techs did) if not removing it a certain way. The fluid also had to be checked hot and with the stick removed, wiped and if I remember correctly also just rested on the rim not fully inserted to get an accurate reading. Both Mustangs I had had PDI check lists that were filled-out and my wife's GM had one too. Guess it depends on how the service manager instructs his/her techs?

 

[Percys650DH]

The engine oil on my 2024 was at the very bottom of the minimum safe mark, barely touching it, checked the trans fluid thinking it would be low too but that was good

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