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The blocks for the 2.3 and 2.5 are the same, so it's not too far fetched to assume that the bellhousing patterns are the same too. I'd do some research to be sure. That's pretty much the only "if."

I decided to forgo the trans oil change-checked the service manual again and you were right FusionDiffusion, interval is 150K. I got 5 quarts of Valvoline synthetic blend and a Fram (I know their reputation, but these cartridge type ones at least have plastic end caps instead of the cardboard ones they use on their spin-on filters) filter from my local parts store. I managed to get the filter cap off with my band-type filter wrench with no problems. The thing I hate about the Milan (not sure if this is true for Fusions) is that the bottom of the engine compartment has plastic cladding everywhere, with a hole for oil drain and filter replacement. It's hard to get tools up in there is all.

My '08 Milan is about to hit 45K, which is the recommended service interval for the FNR5 automatic transmission. It also happens to be 7K miles since my last oil change, so I'm planning on getting them both out of the way later this week. I'm planning on buying a Motorcraft oil filter media replacement, and am just wondering if there's any tricks to removing the filter housing, I hear they have a tendency to break. Also, recommended oils? As far as the transmission goes, is there a kit available that includes a new filter and the necessary gaskets? also, recommended fluid type? How much would you recommend buying, I was thinking between 3 and 7 quarts. Lastly, I need torque specs for the trans oil pan, and a torque pattern if there is one. Thanks in advance.

Funny thing is, the Milan's tach doesn't have a marked redline. I absolutely floored it in first, and like I said, 6700 revs and no shift (the tach maxes out at 7k). I'll try it again tomorrow morning on a side-road. I just don't want it to blow a head gasket or something if I over-rev it. I wasn't hopeful about the SelectShift thing. I just thought about it and figured I'd ask anyway.

I have a 2008 Milan with the 2.3L Duratec and the FNR5 automatic. Lately, on a backroad near my house, I came to a complete stop, and drove off with the shifter in the "L" gate. According the to the manual, the L gate holds gears until higher RPMs, and leaves the torque converter locked during deceleration to make use of engine braking. That's exactly what it did, but I was under the impression that it would shift after a certain point. The needle on the tach reached 6700rpm, and I was still in 1st. In another instance, I was climbing a hill in 2nd, and shifted into L. As expected, it held 2nd until I shifted back into D, at which point the tach was at 5800 revs and I was going 55mph. My question is, Is it supposed to just hold whatever gear you're in when in L, or is it supposed to upshift? It kind of got me thinking that maybe this is just a disabled version of the SelectShift gates that became available in the 2010 V6 models. If so, is it possible to add a SelectShift-type apparatus to the FNR5?

Like an idiot, I backed into my garage tonight while misjudging the distance between the door and my left mirror. Needless to say, the mirror assembly broke off into 3 different pieces. After gathering said pieces, I was able to snap everything back together and re-attach it to my Milan temporarily. It'll have to stay this way until I have the time to pick up a replacement, and install it, as it seems pretty sturdy for now. Somehow the image is distorted now, I didn't know how you could bend glass like that. I'm just worrying that if I go too fast and/or hit a bump, the whole thing will come apart again, and this time, I'll lose all the pieces. Any suggestions for keeping it together until I can properly repair the damage? Anything other than duct tape will be considered. :D

My '08 Milan is inching closer to the end of its factory warranty-6yr/36K powertrain, and not a hint of anything. Chances are your warranty will expire before anything serious goes wrong with the car, but the Fusion tends to be very reliable. From past experience, my last Ford (well, Mercury) didn't start worrying me until 125K, but it turned out it was just the plug wires and low trans fluid. Fixed it myself in 2hrs time.

If you think that's a PITA, go buy a Toyota Camry instead, and spend half an hour removing 9000 plastic covers just to get to the oil dipstick.

Well, technically, the Duratec 23 in 06-09my fusions is the same as the 2.3L Mazda MZR/L engine. When Ford had a large controlling interest in Mazda, they took their designs for the 2.3L and 2.5L MZR/L engines, and a few other 4 cylinders, while Mazda borrowed some V6 designs, having none of their own. Anyway, because of their partnership, Ford and Mazda 4 cylinder engines are very similar, so this thermostat-in-housing design is exclusive to those two manufacturers. I hope this never happens to me. I'll just take it to the shop if it does. :P

True, the new 6F35 does help, but the Duratec 30 received new cylinder heads in 2010 as well, contributing to the 17hp increase, and whatnot. What I'm saying is that it wasn't a carryover, and they can't be directly compared.The combination of the two should be taken into consideration when discussing the discrepancy in mileage between a 1st gen and a 2nd gen Fusion.

Just one misread word can throw you off. Glad you caught that. Don't want to confuse anybody else because I can't read.

Keep in mind that the 2010 Fusion has an updated version of the Duratec 30 V6. The newer version does get a few MPG's better in mileage than the old one. And since the Miles to Empty reading bases its estimate off of previous fill-ups, you've probably been getting better mileage in the 10 than the 09.

Same for my Milan. The manual suggests idling for 10 minutes on a cold morning before shifting out of park. It definitely helps, but in my case, I don't want my garage being fumigated for 10 minutes every morning. It's rather noisy during normal driving as well, but not as bad as some other 4-bangers I've heard. The Duratec 23 is after all, a Mazda-designed engine, and they were more worried about performance than noise. And I'll tell you, if you get the revs up, this engine WILL haul.

What I had before: 2001 Mercury Sable LS Wagon with 127K miles. Still had plenty left, but was totaled in an accident. What I'll miss Leather, incl. the steering wheel cover Automatic climate and outside temperature Responsive throttle (no drive-by-wire, this was the real deal) TONS of cargo space heavy steering, nice handling, in general What I won't miss 16mpg average. Hp/weight wasn't the best on the early Duratec 30's Hard to maneuver Road noise/ rattle when going above 65 Speakers caused the trim panels to rattle when turned up too loud What I can't live without on my new Milan It's been a week and a half, and I still don't need gas. Solid 26mpg city/country road driving. Steering wheel stereo controls Dead silent on the highway Flies around turns at 40mph, no braking required. Aux input on stereo Actually fits in my garage It definitely turns heads. It's a sharp looking car, and I've been getting a lot of complements lately

Hi, I've been lurking for the past couple of days, so I figured I'd register. A little bit about me: My first car was a 2001 Sable that my Dad bought new, and eventually handed down to me. It was very solid at 127k miles, but just starting to have some problems (water pump, manifold gaskets). Unfortunately, it was totaled last month by a teenager who ran a stop sign. Since then, I've been searching for a lightly-used car, primarily gravitating towards another Ford or Mercury. LSS, I ended up buying a 2008 Milan. It's got the 4cyl. Duratec 23, which is one of the noisiest four-bangers I've ever heard, but serves up the mileage that my old Sable could have never touched. 5spd Auto, Sunroof, 6CD stereo, and a factory installed spoiler. She is beautiful. Hopefully I'll find some people here who share my enthusiasm! I don't have any good pics since it's been raining all week, but here's a picture I took at the dealer before I bought it.