Transmission Oil Change

[J Krogstad]

Well, for some reason everytime i get a transmission serviced the fluid to use is always up for discussion (dealership counter guys, not mine). I know the fluid is good for 100K but i tend to be hard on my equipment and don't mind an extra service here and there. At 30k i ended up with Merc V and had them swap it out with the SP the manual recomended, today at 90K i ended up with Merc LV. But today i was in a hury and didn't check the invoice till i got home, WTF. But guys / gals does it matter???

 

[Robert Caffyn]

Use only what the owners manual sez! This way no compatability issues, bad shifting, leaking seals, etc. If you have it done at a shop, make sure they can do a true "flush" of the trans. It'll take 16 or so quarts to do it, but its worth it. Like having a new trans. I'm due on my '08, had it done @ 35K, at 72K now. Bob

 

[swshawaii]

Motorcraft MERCON LV Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)



Not for use in applications where MERCON V, MERCON SP, Continuously Variable Chain

Type Transmission Fluid, Motorcraft Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid, FNR5 Automatic

Transmission Fluid or Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid is recommended

today at 90K i ended up with Merc LV.

SEE LINK BELOW

 

[Richard L]

I am not familiar with Mercon LV, but based on the link swshawaii posted it clearly states that it should not be used in applications where Mercon-V is recommended !!! I would get that stuff out of my transmission ASAP and replaced with the correct Mercon-V

 

[Vic Sorlie]

AMSOIL Low Viscosity ATF meets both Mercon LV and SP specs. Follow Ford recommendation for service life.

 

[Richard L]

Vic,

Jeff's problem is that someone put Mercon LV in his transmission, which is NOT to be used where Mecon-V is recommended. :banghead:



Perhaps you meant to say that Amsoil's Low Viscosity ATF meets Mercon V specs, since that's what Jeff needs in his transmission? :grin:



...Rich

 

[Johnny O]

My local service station uses a "universal" synthetic ATF that is supposed to be okay in everything. I've never had a problem with it. My dealer uses all Valvoline fluids and processes for fluid changes other than motor oil, which is Motorcraft.

 

[Richard L]

JohnnyO,

I know there are a number of "Universal ATF's" out there and that they all claim to meet Mercon V spec's as well as all the other types of transmission fluids, but I am more than a bit skeptical?



When I got my transmission flushed (when I had my Sport Tracs) I was charged an additional $30 for 100% synthetic Mercon V. The shop used a "Universal ATF", but said it was not a recommended substitute for Mercon V.



There are different types of transmission fluid for a reason. Automakers use different metals and friction materials in their transmissions and recommend different fluids because of compatibility issues. I don't think anyone can make a universal transmission fluid that is 100% compatible with all makes and models... Universal ATF's a just a compromise where the ATF meets the spec's but may contain additives that are needed by one of the fluids but not by other ATF's which can be harmful to some components in the transmission. Depending upon the brand of Universal ATV, it may take years and many miles of use before the incompatiblity becomes an issue.



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

Seems if universal ATFs were any good, the automakers would use them because they could probably save millions of dollars a year.



When my vehicles specify a proprietery fluid, all I use is the OEM fluids.

 

[Vic Sorlie]

Richard, in Jeff's initial post he mentions Mercon SP is the fluid recommended in his Gen2 V8 Trac, which is what's displayed on our Online Lookup. The AMSOIL Low Viscosity fluid (product ATL) meets Ford spec for both Mercon SP and Mercon LV (also Dexron VI and Toyota WS). The Mercon V spec is covered by our companion fluid, Multi-Vehicle ATF. As for Jeff's question, I really don't think having LV in place of SP is going to be a problem for him.

 

[Richard L]

Vic,

Sorry, I misread Jeff's post. I thought he needed Mercon V and wondered why you recommended the Amsoil-Mecon LV/SP version. After I reread Jeff's post I see where his manual requires Mercon SP.



No problem...just my brain fart. :grin:



...Rich

 

[EddieS'04]

Seems if universal ATFs were any good, the automakers would use them because they could probably save millions of dollars a year.

Ditto,,,Years ago When you could drain the whole trans. Yes they use to have a plug in the tq convertor and revovable inspection plate..LOL



I read all the specs and references of B&M performance trans fluid. It said, matched my specs. 2000 miles later, trashed. Yes I ran it hard, but the fluid was the problem...no match...:banghead:

 

[J Krogstad]

Everyone, thanks for the feedback. But to give an update, swung through the dealer on the way to work today and had all the information that stated the two fluids, mec Lv / mec Sp were in deed not the same fluid and should not be used in the place of one another and came up with this.... After the dealership pulled the same info from motorcraft that I had, and placed a call into ford, long story short LV fluid maybe in the near future will super seed the SP. The lubrication packages contained in the fluids are similar but the material used in the clutch packs of the other tranys (Not our 6R60's) are different and with very few ford transmissions calling for SP fluid and because there are currently no TSB's stating this is an acceptable alternative fluid yet, the trac's headed back into the shop for a flush and filter change on friday

 

[Johnny O]

I get what you're saying but if I take it to the dealer where I bought it and they use Valvoline ATF instead of Motorcraft, then WTF do you do? It's the friggen FORD DEALER.

FWIW I have had the trans in the wife's Taurus flushed every 25k at the same dealer since new, it has 147k on it now on the original trans, possibly a world record for the most miles on a Taurus transaxle without being rebuilt. (Taurii are known for having weak trannys.)

 

[EddieS'04]

Johnny, valvoline makes mercon v. I have used it in my trac. Im not worried.

Somebody makes motorcraft.