Hello I've got a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL 179k miles 3.0 V6 engine. I know that's basically end of life for a American car especially a ford, BUT I'd like to prolong the life longer if possible. The transmission kinda clunks and maybe slips too? seemgly in every gear to some degree not each gear is as bad as the others. I was hoping I could try Anti slip fix like the Lucas one or something. No codes or anything if it helps transmission was always rough, but after the battery was dead for some days after jumping it the transmission got significantly worse. Either way if it's electrical from a weak battery or anything tips would be appreciated.
When is the last time the transmission was serviced? Is there enough fluid? What is its condition. Products like Lucas "anti-slip" are basically snake oil. Sometimes they can help temporarily if one is at the "nothing to lose by trying" stage.
You would likely be seeing other symptoms if it were a general electrical system problem but it's pretty easy to have the battery and alternator load-tested. Really the best diagnosis would come from a transmission expert using a professional-grade scan tool, if you have a good independent shop available. (Dealers and chains are to be avoided.)
Although not the top complaint, transmission problems are fairly common in those cars:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Fusion/2012/
@chucktobias The level looked fine last I checked I will sanity check tomorrow. Transmission as far as I know was either never serviced or always serviced I have no previous owner knowledge, at least not beyond my friends dad who had it 10k miles did not change it.
@chucktobias I planned to try to change the fluid but keep the old stuff in case it slips?
@mystic192 You could try changing fluid and filter but depending on previous service (or lack thereof) it could make matters worse. See the FAQ for details.
@chucktobias Got it I planned to try it mostly as a last ditch effort, before paying someone several hundred dollars on a DIAG. I was gonna keep the old fluid for a few days in case it starts to slip.