Synthetic ATF

[Oldtimer]

My '07 6 speed has 38,000 and power train warranty expires in December. I'm changing my filter and am looking at Royal Purple's ATF. Questions: does it mix ok with Ford's oem, how many times should I drain and refill to get a proper change of fluid and pros and cons.



Thanks,



Oldtimernline:

 

[Vic Sorlie]

Ford specifies Mercon SP for your transmission. Royal Purple's website says not to use their Max ATF product for that application. I recommend AMSOIL's product ATL, Low Viscosity ATF.

 

[Robert Caffyn]

Ford Mercon is already synthetic. I had my local shop do a total exchange of fluid. Cost was around $300, it took 16 quarts of ATF to do it, but it ran so much better afterwards. Bob

 

[Richard L]

Ford Mercon-V is a semi-synthetic not a 100% full synthetic.



There are other oil companies that make a 100% synthetic Mecon-V...I have used Pennzoil, but other brands will work as well as long as they meet Ford's Mercon-V spec's. That's what spec's are for. Also, don't let anyone claim that Ford does not recommend the use of any specific fluid...Be sure to see that in writing from a trusted Ford source...That is illegal unless Ford is willing to pay for your fluid changes...and they won't (part of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act).



I don't have any axe to grind and I don't sell lubricants so I never recommend a particular brand, but I do not recommend Universal fluids that claim one fluid fit all manufacturer's specs...Nor do I recommend fluids that claim they can be made universal with the addition of any special additives to be compatible. I only mention Pennzoil's Mecron-V because I know it is 100% Mercon-V spec compatible and it works. I have used it in both of my Sport Tracs and have never encountered any problems, and that's not saleman's hype, it's a customer testimonial.



I will recommend a fluid flush to replace about 98% of the old fluid rather than just a standard fluid change You can drop the pan and replace the filter if you want, and then do the fluid flush. If you do not do the fluid flush, you will only replace about 50% of the old tranny fluid.... and it may take 4-6 fluid changes (of 50%) to get nearly all the fluid changed that a Fluid Flush can do in just one shot.



Synthetic and Semi-synthetic Mecron-v should all be 100% compatible between brands, but a fluid flush illiminates and guessing by just replacing nearly all the fluid, not just half.



...Rich

 

[Phil Frady]

I Would do a Flush with the Amsoil (I need to do mine). Email Vic, he will help.

[Broken External Image]:

 

[Mike S 3]

The 6r60 and 6r80 takes mercon LV and is filled for life... you guys are wasting money changing before 100k

 

[Vic Sorlie]

Richard, back to my original point to Oldtimer: Mercon V is not the correct fluid for Oldtimer's Gen2 V8. It's Mercon SP, which is a different lower-viscosity fluid.

 

[Richard L]

Vic,

Opps! My Bad. I did not notice that he needed Mercon-SP. My two Sport Trac's were Gen-1 and used Mecon-V. But I am sure that other oil companies are selling their Mercon-SP equivilants.



...Rich

 

[Oldtimer]

Thanks for all your help.



:supercool::supercool:

 

[EddieS'04]

IMO, use any major brand that is equivlant to merc-sp. Jim in your case you hotrod some. So I would want to see the condition of the fluid and pan sediments.

Istall a drain plug after a couple of hundred miles. Dump and install the same fluid. Do this twice. If you are not going to do a complete flush.

That is what I have done with my '04. I havent flushed. My trans still shifts strong. I also installed an external filter. Change it twice. cut it open. It definitly traps carap the in pan screen misses.

Jim as I said, when I get back to town I will help you with this and that pulley.

 

[Oldtimer]

Thanks Eddie, I just realized that there is not access to the fluid under the hood. How do I replace the fluid drained during the filter change?

 

[Oldtimer]

Well, I answered my own question, went to Ford Truck Enthusiest and found a screw in insert to go in the dipstick opening and a hand pump to pump fluid in. I wonder why you couldn't just put the plastic hose in the dipstic hole and omit the screw in devise? Hum!!

 

[Todd Z]

Beceause Ford doesent want any one playing with the tranny but the dealer......



Todd Z

 

[Oldtimer]

Thanks Todd, but then we're not "any one" are we?



Jim

 

[Vic Sorlie]

Regarding Mike's prior comment about "...filled for life..." There are some OEMs who are touting "Lifetime fill" or "Filled for life" on transmission and differential fluids. Some of us will take that literally. Me, I define it as "Filled for life (of the component)," and prefer to spend money prospectively along the way so that I avoid an expensive repair later. I want my cars to run well and last a long time. I've also found that it's easier for me to sell a car (I favor Private Party deals) when I show my prospect my service records.