Hi base, welcome to the forum.
I am not familiar with your transmission, but the trans filter is usually located inside the trans pan. The pan must usually be removed and the filter changed and the pan cleaned and replaced and 4 or more quarts of transmission oil added to bring it to level when hot. There is also a technique to replace all the oil.
There is almost never an oil drain plug for trans pan and the oil level is above the top of the pan. The pan needs to be loosened to allow the oil to drain from one side first. This is a very messy job.
You may find some additional info on this subject in the Escape forum.
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Art
2000 Taurus SEL Wagon 3.0 Vulcan (daily driver)
1993 Taurus GL Wagon 3.8 Essex
1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 5.0
1986 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup 4x4 350 with turbo400 and 208 transfer case
1978 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup 4x4 custom 6.2 na diesel with turbo400 and 203 transfer case
Planning 2008 Taurus X in a year
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