I'm planning on changing the trans fluid this week (E4OD 4x4). Last time I did it I used Mobil Synthetic ATF. Drained the torque converter too for a total of 14 quarts.
Well, last night I stopped by a local PepBoys and had a case of sticker shock.
Mobil ATF is 5.99 a quart!!!
There's no way in hell am I going to pay almost 90.00 for 15 quarts of fluid. That's nuts!
Stopped at Auto Zone and their price was 4.99 a quart. Discount Auto....oops.....I mean Advance Auto, doesn't even carry it.

The only other ATF I could find was the Dextron III/Mercon fluid which you all say isn't the right stuff to use.
I can't seem to find straight Mercon ATF without stopping at Ford to be raped. And besides, I doubt they have it in single bottles or by the case. They usually buy it in bulk (55 gal drum) form.

What do you suggest I do?????

 

I prefer synthetic, so, I pay for it. Those prices don't seem high for Mobil 1 ATF. Amsoil and Redline are around $8 per quart.

 

I bought Mercon V, the Ford Synthetic ATF, for about twenty dollars a gallon at my Ford dealership in Phoenix. If you ask for it, they will sell it to you...if I recall the service guy said they did not sell it in individual quarts. I bought 4 gallons, put about 13.5 quarts in my tranny and the other two in my transfer case.

 

The last time I bought Mobil ATF it was about $3.00 +/- a quart. I guess that was about three years ago.

Max M, I know Amsoil and Redline make a damn fine product but I think it's too high a price to pay.

AWH, the price you paid is about what I can get Mobil ATF for. And if I did go to Ford I'd have to supply my own container(s).

I suppose I'll have save my pennies and pay the price.
There has to be another option.

Don't think that I'm a cheap SOB. I'm not.
I'm not afraid to spend the money on a quality product when and where it's neded.

Thanks guys.

 

That IS the right stuff! As long as it has MERCON, but not MERCON V on it, it's fine. The Dexron III doesn't mean anything in this case.

 

I went to the Ford Motorcraft web site and they said their ATF is both Mercon and Dextron III rated.
I'll keep looking around because all I kept finding was Valvoline brand. Never in a million years will I use a Valvoline product. Long story.

 

Stopped at PepBoys last night and picked up 15 qts. of Penzoil Mercon/Dextron III fluid. Final cost was 31.94.
I'll get the filter tomorrow.

 

Well, I changed it this past weekend. All 14 quarts.
Big difference. I think the Penzoil brand was a good choice. Everything seems to working fine.

I wish Ford would put a drain plug in those pans. I don't mind changing the fluid but keeping the mess to a minimum is a challenge. I used to work in service station years ago and even back then changing ATF was a messy job.
Some things never change.

 

Pep Boys has the Pennzoil Mercon V for 3.99 a quart...it ain't a share blend...it,s straight up V

 

Thanks, but my E4OD requires the straight Mercon fluid, not Mercon V.
I have yet to find a fluid that is just Mercon and not Mercon/Dextron III. Even the Motorcraft ATF is a blend.
Mercon V is a whole different story.

 

And you probably never will find a fluid that is just MERCON, not MERCON/DEXRON. MERCON and DEXRON specs are so similar that any fluid that meets one of those specs will meet the other, too.

 

for about $30 a year you can be an Amsoil dealer, and buy at wholesale, my price for ATF is $5.90 a qt plus shipping.

 

There's no doubt that Amsoil products are excellent. As are Red Line, Royal Purple and Mobil1

Even at 5.90 a quart I just can't justify spending $82.60 on ATF.

Thanks anyhow.