Hi Scotty,
I have looked at many of your videos on youtube and have a questions for you.
I bought a 2012 for escape xlt 4 cyl from a friend about a year and a half ago for $2,500.  She has run like a charm and I have gone about 14,000 miles since I bought it.  The other day while I was going to pass someone on a four lane by pass, the transmission slipped when I stepped on the gas, but it did catch up after I took my foot off the gas and pressed down again.  It has never done this before and so far hasn't done it since.  I checked the transmission fluid and it was about 3/4 of a quart low and put some in.  I talked to different people and even the previous owner and he doesn't remember if he had changed the transmission fluid,  so I take it that he didn't.  It now has 151,000 miles on it.  I took it to a mechanic and asked him about changing the fluid.  The fluid is a little dirty so he was reluctant to change it.  What do you think?   Should I go ahead and change it or leave it be?  He said some times when you change the fluid it will create more problems. When the transmission shifts, it goes in smoothly and it doesn't make any noise, but because of this one slip I am leery now.  Should I change the trans fluid or leave it alone?  I know that is a hard call.  I could actually send you a picture of the color of the fluid to see what you think.  In any case I decided to get an older Honda or Toyota with a standard shift but finding one in my area which is rural Arkansas is a bit of a hassle,  But I love the old Honda's from 1997.  I had an old 1997 Honda civic  that ran when it shouldn't have ran. They are amazing cars.    I am a 73 year old women and had a standard shift most of my life,  so I do well with them. I feel they are much cheaper and easier when they break down.   The suv is nice but it is out of my budget when something goes wrong because of all the computer junk that is on it.  Everything works on the suv,  but I am afraid that one slip in the trans the other day might be a forewarning. Please help if you can because everyone I ask about this gives me a different answer,  one person even said it could be a sensor on the trans.  Thank you for any help you can give me, it is much appreciated.
Old lady on a budget,   Mary