Best Transmission Fluid
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From: Clarkston, MI
Best Transmission Fluid
OK,
I want to change my trans fluid and wonder what you guys think is the best. I'm thinking synthetic...what about Mobil 1 , Amsoil or Royal Purple? Are they all pretty much equivalent? Why or why not? I know there are other syn's but that seems most available around me.
Also, I thought I saw somewhere that Mercon V was a synthetic. Is that the case, or is it a blend of some sort?
And lastly, if I drop the pan, change filter & drain the torque converter, how much of the fliud is still 'stuck' in the trans?
I saw the thread by Mark K. on how to do the fluid exchange, I'm just wondering.
Thanks guys!
I want to change my trans fluid and wonder what you guys think is the best. I'm thinking synthetic...what about Mobil 1 , Amsoil or Royal Purple? Are they all pretty much equivalent? Why or why not? I know there are other syn's but that seems most available around me.
Also, I thought I saw somewhere that Mercon V was a synthetic. Is that the case, or is it a blend of some sort?
And lastly, if I drop the pan, change filter & drain the torque converter, how much of the fliud is still 'stuck' in the trans?
I saw the thread by Mark K. on how to do the fluid exchange, I'm just wondering.
Thanks guys!
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: pa
I put 6 quarts of Valvoline maxlife, the other
6 or 7 quarts were still in my TC. This solved my
shutter problem in my 97 4.6. It is speced
MERCON V.
Don't use anything not speced this grade because the
friction additives is what the clutches in the
trans need.
They make a big deal about how slippery synthetics
are but the trans does not need slippery.
Some TC have a plug to get out the other 6 quarts,
If you have it you are lucky. Just make sure you
keep filling and checking when it is running to get the
right level.
6 or 7 quarts were still in my TC. This solved my
shutter problem in my 97 4.6. It is speced
MERCON V.
Don't use anything not speced this grade because the
friction additives is what the clutches in the
trans need.
They make a big deal about how slippery synthetics
are but the trans does not need slippery.
Some TC have a plug to get out the other 6 quarts,
If you have it you are lucky. Just make sure you
keep filling and checking when it is running to get the
right level.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,740
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From: SE Florida, USA
Originally Posted by 8mmag
Also, I thought I saw somewhere that Mercon V was a synthetic. Is that the case, or is it a blend of some sort?
Originally Posted by 8mmag
And lastly, if I drop the pan, change filter & drain the torque converter, how much of the fliud is still 'stuck' in the trans?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
The BEST fluid?
Based on what I've read on forums such as this and www.bobistheoilguy.com, the BEST fluid is probably either Redline D4 or Amsoil ATF. However, these can be pricey (especially the Redline), and are usually not available locally (although some speed shops carry the D4).
For me, I went with Valvoline Mercon V Synthetic ATF. I did a "flush" at home, disconnecting the cooler lines. The truck shifts noticably better now. More detail if you want...
Based on what I've read on forums such as this and www.bobistheoilguy.com, the BEST fluid is probably either Redline D4 or Amsoil ATF. However, these can be pricey (especially the Redline), and are usually not available locally (although some speed shops carry the D4).
For me, I went with Valvoline Mercon V Synthetic ATF. I did a "flush" at home, disconnecting the cooler lines. The truck shifts noticably better now. More detail if you want...
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From: Clarkston, MI
Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
That depends. If you buy a blend, it's a blend. If you buy dino, it's dino. If you buy synthetic, it's synthetic. MERCON V is a performance spec, it doesn't specify that it must be synthetic or a blend.
If Ford Mercon V is less than a full syn, I would assume the syn's have a higher tolerance for heat. What would be the max acceptable fluid temps for the Ford vs. the full syn's, as measured in the pan by a ScanGauge II?
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From: SE Florida, USA
The factory fill MERCON V is a synthetic blend. Ford's temp limits for the trans are 221°F continuous, and 252°F for less than 30 minutes. Synthetics can handle higher temps, but I don't have those specs.
I suspect the stuff in the bottles is the same as the factory fluid.
I suspect the stuff in the bottles is the same as the factory fluid.
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From: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA
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From: mass.
ive always run what the factory says, most of the time the autozone house brand. adding a cooler is the best way to add life to the tranny.that and regular maintenance is what ive found are the key.
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by giveem3
bamorris2 I want to do the at home trans flush, but I can't figure out where everyone disconnects the lines to flush the system can anyone tell me. Better yet any pictures!
I disconnected both lines at the aux tranny cooler. On the 2004+ trucks, it's the smaller aluminum cooler that sits in front of your a/c condensor.
Here's an illustration (the aux cooler is item #1):
There are 2 lines that connect to it, one at each end. Just unscrew both of those lines, and put them in milk cartons.
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From: Augusta
bamorris,
Did you follow a particular procedure for draining and filling? I guess whatI I'm asking is after you disconnect both lines from the cooler, what procedure did you follow in removing and then putting fluid back in? Did you drop the pan and change the filter as well?
Did you follow a particular procedure for draining and filling? I guess whatI I'm asking is after you disconnect both lines from the cooler, what procedure did you follow in removing and then putting fluid back in? Did you drop the pan and change the filter as well?
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by tomclem
bamorris,
Did you follow a particular procedure for draining and filling? I guess whatI I'm asking is after you disconnect both lines from the cooler, what procedure did you follow in removing and then putting fluid back in? Did you drop the pan and change the filter as well?
Did you follow a particular procedure for draining and filling? I guess whatI I'm asking is after you disconnect both lines from the cooler, what procedure did you follow in removing and then putting fluid back in? Did you drop the pan and change the filter as well?
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...ue#Post1100266
Originally Posted by bamorris2 at www.bobistheoilguy.com
Here's what I did:
1. Removed both lines from the aux ATF cooler. Placed each line in a 1-gallon milk jug.
2. Had a helper start the truck, and let it run until the flow got weak (roughly 3-4 qts). Had helper shut off engine
3. Added new ATF in the same amount as what had been pumped into the milk jugs.
4. Emptied milk jugs into bucket (to take to recycling).
Repeat steps 2-4 until new/fresh fluid starts to pump into the milk jugs. You'll be able to tell the difference in the color of the old fluid (dark) versus the new fluid (translucent red).
I did this procedure (steps 2-4) about 4 or 5 times. I think I went through a total of almost 20 quarts of new ATF (although our max capacity is only 13.9 qts). This was a bit overkill, but I was sure that I got all of the old ATF out of the system.
The only additional thing that I could of done (but didn't) was take my air compressor and, with low pressure, blow out the aux cooler. But I think that by having both lines disconnected, most of the ATF drained out of it anyway.
All in all, took me about 90 minutes, including test drive and cleanup. Saved myself about $100 for a flush. Also, I got what I think is a pretty good deal on the ATF. I went with Valvoline full synthetic Mercon V ATF. I got it online at Kragen (partsamerica) for about $3.40 per quart. Picked it up at my local Kragen. Instore, it sells for $4.99 per quart.
1. Removed both lines from the aux ATF cooler. Placed each line in a 1-gallon milk jug.
2. Had a helper start the truck, and let it run until the flow got weak (roughly 3-4 qts). Had helper shut off engine
3. Added new ATF in the same amount as what had been pumped into the milk jugs.
4. Emptied milk jugs into bucket (to take to recycling).
Repeat steps 2-4 until new/fresh fluid starts to pump into the milk jugs. You'll be able to tell the difference in the color of the old fluid (dark) versus the new fluid (translucent red).
I did this procedure (steps 2-4) about 4 or 5 times. I think I went through a total of almost 20 quarts of new ATF (although our max capacity is only 13.9 qts). This was a bit overkill, but I was sure that I got all of the old ATF out of the system.
The only additional thing that I could of done (but didn't) was take my air compressor and, with low pressure, blow out the aux cooler. But I think that by having both lines disconnected, most of the ATF drained out of it anyway.
All in all, took me about 90 minutes, including test drive and cleanup. Saved myself about $100 for a flush. Also, I got what I think is a pretty good deal on the ATF. I went with Valvoline full synthetic Mercon V ATF. I got it online at Kragen (partsamerica) for about $3.40 per quart. Picked it up at my local Kragen. Instore, it sells for $4.99 per quart.
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by tomclem
thanks for getting this info. I appreciate it. Sounds like a simple job. Does anybody know if this can damage the tranny? What I mean, can removing the fluid then adding, etc. damage anything?
I was also concerned about this... After much reading and researching on other forums, I came to the conclusion that it is not harmful to pump out 4-5 quarts of fluid, and then re-fill. It would be a different situation to pump out 12 qts. In that case, your tranny would be basically dry. But doing it this way, you still keep the tranny about 2/3 full at all times.
Of course, this is my opinion only, and YMMV.
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From: SE Florida, USA
Originally Posted by bamorris2
It would be a different situation to pump out 12 qts. In that case, your tranny would be basically dry. But doing it this way, you still keep the tranny about 2/3 full at all times.