mercon V change interval...

[TroyK]

hey folks, i was just looking through my owner's manual and discovered that the mercon V tranny fluid in my 4r70w tranny doesn't need changing for 150k miles. is mercon V some sort of sythetic based fluid? also, those of you who are "experts" at this sorta stuff...how long an interval would you go before changing out the fluid (since 150k seems like a long time)? especially if you don't regularly tow anything...thanks, troy

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[Aaron99GT]

I think that I have read that it is some sort of synthetic. I know the guys on the Lincoln Mark VIII site switch there tranny fluid to the Mercon V.

[Mark Kovalsky]

The factory fill MERCON V is a synthetic blend. You can buy aftermarket MERCON V that is dino, or blend, or full synthetic.

I would change the fluid in a 4R70W every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. It wears out.

Mark

[Y2K 7700 4x4]

I changed mine at around 12K 24K and 36K; and took apart the filters at the first and third change. Due to the lack of trapped particles (and the apparently excellent filter) I will likely revert to a method I've used for years:

Suck out as much as can be sucked out via a small tube jammed into the dipstic tube -- replacing with like amount -- once per year.

If I could find a reasonable synthetic -- I'd change it and forget it for several dozen K miles.

[mudd1]

change it every 30,000 miles ......

[TroyK]

Originally posted by mudd1
change it every 30,000 miles ......

30k is what the special service section in my owner's manual recommends...but that is a huge difference between the regular 150k interval.

i figure since i don't tow anything on a regular basis...and live in a climate that is generally cool...i could prolly stretch that 30k out to maybe 50k...any comments?

[Mark Kovalsky]

You probably could stretch it to 50K, but I'll bet you will have torque converter shudder and will shorten your transmission's life.

Mark

[TroyK]

Originally posted by Mark Kovalsky
You probably could stretch it to 50K, but I'll bet you will have torque converter shudder and will shorten your transmission's life.

Mark

i thought ford specified the mercon v fluid to get rid of torque converter shudder in the 4r70w? when did ford start using the mercon v in the 4r70w anyway...is it relatively recent?

[Mark Kovalsky]

Ford switched to MERCON V in the 4R70W for the 1998 model year. The primary reason for developing MERCON V was to eliminate torque converter clutch shudder.

Mark

[p_ferlow]

Switch at 30k miles. It's not that expensive and well worth the insurance policy you get by changing it. Trannies are expen$ive.

[rocketir]

I thought that the recommended change interval was 15K not 150K. Anyways, I changed mine at 30K.
Jes

[TroyK]

Originally posted by rocketir
I thought that the recommended change interval was 15K not 150K. Anyways, I changed mine at 30K.
Jes

yeah, i thought the owner's manual on my '02 s-crew would specify every 30k too. but after looking through it, it doesn't recommend service on the 4r70w until 150k for regular use. all other trannies (ie...4r100, etc) it specifies 30k. the only reason i can see for this difference is the type of fluid used. apparently mercon v is a better more long lasting fluid as compared to plain old mercon. btw, the "severe service" interval is 30k for all trannies...at least according to my truck manual.

[John Patterson]

Where can I purchase the factory brand of Mercon V (synthetic) fluid? Do you know the code for the synthetic type, or is it packed in a particular color of plastic bottle?