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You can use any SAE certified transmission fluid in your 1998 Ford escort manual transmission. Make sure the transmission fluid is for your manual transmission and not an automatic transmission.
Is it a manual or automatic gearbox? Both the automatic and the manual require Dexron/Mercon.
To change the transmission fluid on the manual 1998 Ford Escort ZX2, drain the fluid from the drain hole near the speed sensor. Then refill the fluid using the plug in the side of the transmission.
is it an automatic, or manual shift?
Motorcraft MERCON automatic transmission fluid in the automatic and manual transaxles according to the 1999 Ford Escort owners manual
The manual transmission on a 91 Ford Escort GT is filled with fluid by gently depressing the clutch with the engine off. Fluid is added to the reservoir until the level stops going down.
Mercon automatic transmission fluid.
A manual transmission doesn't have a dipstick
According to the 1997 Ford Escort Owner Guide both the automatic and manual transaxles ( transmissions ) take Motorcraft MERCON multi - purpose automatic transmission fluid
and automatic transmission does not require tranny fluid, as it is a "manual" and not automatic
Both the manual and automatic transmissions take Mercon ATF.
Manual transmissions usually have a screw plug more than halfway up on the side of the transmission body. Remove the plug. If fluid spills out, the transmission is full. You can check the level by inserting your finger in the hole. If the transmission needs fluid, it is added through the same hole until the fluid is level to the bottom of the hole. Be sure and use the correct type of fluid: some transmissions require transmission fluid and others require gear lube.