How do you change transmission fluid on 1996 Ford Thunderbird?

You have to remove the transmission pan. Jack the car up and then place jack stands under the car for safety. Then looking up at the transmission you will see the pan there are bolts holding the pan to the housing remove the bolts and the pan will drop off this will let about 4 quarts out there is also a filter in the valve body that has to be replaced. Be careful with the pan gasket it is reusable. This can get pretty messy when the pan drops so hold the pan and do not let it fall when removing. A trick I use is to take a electric oil pump used for removing oil on boat engines (cost $12.00 JC Whitney) and remove almost all the oil out through the fill tube that way when you drop the pan the remaining stays in pan and does not splatter all over you. when replacing the pan and gasket another trick is to get four (3 ) inch bolts cut the heads off screw one in each corner this way when you put the pan and gasket back on this will guide the pan an keep the gasket from moving. Hope this helps.