The 2006-2013 Ford Transit is what everyone thinks of when 'white van man' gets a mention. In recent years the Transit was made famous via Ford's 'Getting Britain Moving' TV advert, but then Ford blotted its copybook by moving production out of Southampton to Turkey. Regardless, the Transit has been the UK's favourite van since it started rolling off production lines in 1972. It's been available in various guises over the years: crew cabs, panel vans, minibuses, tipper trucks and chassis cabs. They're all good at what they do, being good to drive when fully loaded or completely empty, and are relatively inexpensive to fix when things go wrong.
Wondering when to change the oil or what type to use in a Ford Transit? Perhaps you're trying to find out how often to change the fluids, what the service intervals are or check the brakes and perform other common jobs? Haynes has all the routine maintenance answers.
Here is our quick reference guide to the routine maintenance tasks for the Ford Transit 2006 to 2013 diesel engines, most of which you can do yourself at home. If you need more guidance or step-by-step instructions, check out our online manual or get the printed 2006 to 2013 Ford Transit Owner's Workshop Manual.
Check out these Transit Custom (2013 - 2017) problems
Ford Transit oil change
| Engine Oil Type | SAE 5W/30 to Ford specification WSS-M2C913-C (preferred specification) |
| SAE 5W/30, 5W/40 or 10/W40 to specification ACEA A5/B5 (alternative specification)* | |
| Engine Oil Capacity (including oil filter) | 6.2 litres (2.2-litre engines) |
| 6.9 litres (2.4-litre engines) | |
| Oil Drain Plug Torque | 23 Nm (all engines) |
*Use of the alternative specification engine oils may result in longer cold start cranking time, reduced engine performance, reduced fuel economy and increased emission levels.
Ford Transit gearbox oil change
| Manual Transmission Fluid Type | Gear oil to Ford specification WSD-M2C200-C (all transmissions except VMT6) |
| Gear oil to Ford specification WSS-M2C200-D2 (VMT6 transmissions) | |
| Rear Axle Fluid Type | Hypoid gear oil to Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity |
2.15 litres (front-wheel-drive 5-speed transmissions) |
| 2.1 litres (front-wheel-drive 6-speed transmissions) | |
| 1.3 litres (rear-wheel-drive 5-speed transmissions) | |
| 2.3 litre (rear-wheel-drive 6-speed transmissions) | |
| Rear Axle Capacity | 3.0 litres |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Filler/Level Plug Torque | 35 Nm |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Drain Plug Torque | 35 Nm (all except rear-wheel-drive 6-speed transmissions) |
| 50 Nm (rear-wheel-drive 6-speed transmissions) | |
| Rear Axle Filler/Level Plug Torque | 34 Nm |
Ford Transit coolant renewal
| Coolant Type | Motorcraft SuperPlus 2000 antifreeze to Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D |
| Coolant System Capacity | 10.0 litres |
Ford Transit miscellaneous fluid types
| Power Steering Fluid** | Hydraulic fluid to Ford specification WSS-M2C204-A2 (green fluid) |
| Hydraulic fluid to Ford specification WSA-M2C195-A (red fluid) | |
| Brake And Clutch Fluid Type | DOT 4 brake fluid |
**Always top-up with the same colour fluid.
Ford Transit torque specs
| Roadwheel Nuts | 200 Nm |
| Front Caliper Guide Pin Bolts | 60 Nm* |
| Front Caliper Mounting Bracket Bolts | 175 Nm |
| Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bolts | 32 Nm* |
| Rear Caliper Mounting Bracket Bolts | 115 Nm (all except 460 series vehicles) |
| 186 Nm (460 series vehicles) |
Ford Transit rear hub retaining nut (front-wheel-drive models):*
| 44 mm flange diameter nut: | Stage 1 Rotate the wheel hub 5 times |
| Stage 2 200 Nm | |
| Stage 3 Rotate the wheel hub 5 times | |
| Stage 4 300 Nm | |
| Stage 5 Rotate the wheel hub 5 times | |
| 51 mm flange diameter nut: | Stage 1 Rotate the wheel hub 5 times |
| Stage 2 200 Nm | |
| Stage 3 Rotate the wheel hub 5 times | |
| Stage 4 450 Nm | |
| Stage 5 Rotate the wheel hub 5 times | |
| ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Bolts | 11 Nm |
*Do not re-use
Ford Transit 2006 to 2013 Maintenance Schedule
The maintenance intervals in this manual are provided with the assumption that you, not the dealer, will be carrying out the work. These are the minimum intervals recommended by us for vehicles driven daily. If you wish to keep your vehicle in peak condition at all times, you may wish to perform some of these procedures more often. We encourage frequent maintenance, since it enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is driven in dusty areas, used to tow a trailer, or driven frequently at slow speeds (idling in traffic) or on short journeys, more frequent maintenance intervals are recommended.
Ford Transit Service intervals
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery and terminals
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first
- Renew the engine oil and filter
Note: The manufacturers recommend that the engine oil and filter are changed every 15,000 miles or 12 months if the vehicle is being operated under normal conditions. However, oil and filter changes are good for the engine and we recommend that the oil and filter are renewed more frequently, especially if the vehicle is driven in dusty areas, used to tow a trailer, or driven frequently at slow speeds (idling in traffic) or on short journeys.
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first
In addition to the item listed in the previous service, carry out the following:
- Check the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the electrical system
- Check all components, pipes and hoses for fluid leaks
- Check the steering and suspension components for condition and security
- Drain the fuel filter of water
- Check the condition of the fuel filter and renew if necessary
- Check the engine compartment wiring
- Check the operation of the air conditioning system
- Check the condition and operation of the seat belts
- Check the coolant antifreeze concentration
- Check the condition of the driveshaft gaiters – front-wheel-drive models
- Check the propeller shaft and centre bearing for wear – rear-wheel-drive models
- Lubricate the propeller shaft universal joints – rear-wheel-drive models
- Check the condition and security of the exhaust system
- Check the brake pad and brake shoe lining thickness
- Inspect the clutch hydraulic components
- Check and if necessary adjust the handbrake
- Lubricate all hinges and locks
- Check the security of all roadwheel nuts
- Reset the service reminder indicator
- Carry out a road test
Every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first
In addition to the relevant items listed in the previous services, carry out the following:
- Renew the fuel filter
- Check the rear axle fluid level – rear-wheel-drive models
- Check the transmission oil level
- Renew the brake fluid
- Renew the remote control battery
- Renew the coolant*
*Vehicles using Ford purple Super Plus coolant do not need to have the coolant renewed on a regular basis.
Every 150,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first
In addition to the relevant items listed in the previous services, carry out the following:
- Renew the auxiliary drivebelt