Service checks
The manual for my Ford B-MAX states that the air filter is a non-service item, but I changed it anyway using the part number on the old filter. Is this a big mistake by Ford? Being an automatic, how does one check the level or colour of the transmission oil? On previous cars I always took the colour of the oil as an indication of the state of the transmission.
Another problem is the fuel filler. A three-pronged plastic clasp and steel plate protects the opening and a petrol pump dispenser will operate this mechanism, but when I tried to put fuel injector cleaner in the tank I failed totally to get past the mechanism. Is there a way in?
You did not mention the engine in your B-MAX or the year of manufacture. The B-MAX was launched in 2012 and can be equipped with six different engines. As your vehicle has automatic transmission, it is most likely to be the 1.6 16v engine and so I will base my answers on this assumption. According to Autodata, the air filter element should be changed every three years or 37,500 miles. This is a longer interval than I would recommend, but it is quite standard practice among manufactures to leave an air filter for this duration.
The ASM gearbox has a level plug in the differential and this gearbox is a dual clutch unit and quite different to a traditional automatic gearbox. It has a twin clutch pack and changes between gears using electronic controls. The gearbox oil used is a 75W FE Synthetic.
If you wish to add an injector cleaner to the fuel tank you will need what Ford call an emergency fuel filler funnel. These are available from various sources, including ebay, for £5-£12.