1996 Ford Aspire Owner's Manual - Page 210

If you must add transaxle fluid in an emergency, use only MERCON fluid, such as Motorcraft MERCON Multi-Purpose ATF. Add the fluid in 1/2-pint increments until you raise the fluid level to within the crosshatched area on the dipstick. Never overfill the transaxle. If the fluid level gets too high, remove the excess fluid as soon as possible; otherwise, you could damage the transaxle. NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner. Follow your community's standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call your local recycling center to find out about recycling automotive fluids. Manual Transaxle Fluid The lubricant level and quality should not deteriorate under normal use. However, you should periodically have your Ford Dealer check the fluid level during regular oil changes. Checking manual transaxle oil level 1. 2. 3. Remove the speedometer cable and driven gear from the transaxle case. Wipe the gear clean and reinsert it. Pull it out again. The oil level should be between the F and L marks, as indicated in the illustration. 211