Yet another tranny fluid ??

I know we've covered this subject before...but I had to post on it again just to make sure my stang is ok. It's been a while since I've changed my tranny fluid...so I don't recall from the last fluid change. But this time it only took about 2 & a 1/2 quarts to fill my tranny to the point where there was some fluid dripping down out of the upper filler hole. I know the tranny is supposed to hold 2.8 quarts...and the Chiltons manual I have calls for 3 quarts. So do you guys think I'm ok? I'm guessing that there was still a little fluid left over in the very bottom of the tranny even though I let it drain for a couple of hours. Why on earth is the drain plug on the side of the tranny? I guess Ford didn't put the drain plug on the bottom because they wouldn't want it to get hit if you scraped over a speed bump. Seems like there could have been a better place to put it though. I think there must have been some of the old fluid at the bottom of my tranny...for it to only take 2 & a 1/2 quarts when I did the fluid change. What do you guys think? Someone please ease my mind.

Thanks-

[stang_racer20]

you'll be ok, just make sure to check it hot and fill if needed. what drain plug r u talking about. the drain plug should be the pan itself only.

Sorry I didn't specify that before...but it is a T-5 manual tranny, not an auto. There is no "pan" with a drain plug. Just two plugs on the passenger side of the tranny. One for filling...and one for draining.

Am I supposed to check the tranny fluid while it's hot?? That would be a pain in the ***...being that there is no dipstick or anything. Plus, if the fluid was hot...couldn't that show a higher reading than if checked when cold? Seems logical to me. But I did have the car jacked up level on all 4s...and filled it until it ran out. So I think I'm fine. I just thought it was weird that it only took about 2.5 quarts.

[QuantumMotorsports]

When the tranny is hot, the case expands more than the fluid inside it does so it might hold a bit more before spilling out. I always drain it with the passenger side of the car lower a bit so I make sure it's all out. Then level the car and fill it up. some people even put a quart or so in the shifter hole while the drain plug is out so that it cleans out any metal filings that may be at the bottom of the case and not running out. You don't have to, just an idea.

Thanks guys. I'll probably just let it ride for now, since the fluid that came out looked surprisingly new. But next time I think I'll do that tilting the car thing.