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Transmission fluid isn't like engine oil, they are designed for specific applications rather than a wide range. You can't take just any transmission fluid and pour it into your transmission and expect it to last. Either it meets the Mecon V spec or it's the wrong stuff.
I like Motorcraft fluid when I can get it for the right price. I paid a few bucks per quart for genuine Motorcraft at O'Reilly a few years ago, but not sure if there's one near you. I've also used the Wal-Mart Supertech Mercon V before with good luck, and recommend it because it's certified to meet the correct standard. Lots of folks have good luck with Valvoline Maxlife and Mobil1, but I don't have much experience with it.
Much easier than messing with the pan, and it replaces all the fluid instead of the ~30% you get with a drain and fill.
Yep x100!
Those of us who've followed Mark K's full flush method probably would never again opt for the 5 qt & filter thing----by comparison its pretty ineffective. After the first time doing the flush its laughable so easy and simple, I dare say much better than trying to drain the pan and avoid spilling fluid all over everything.
BTW I used the Motorcraft ATF direct from the dealership---saved just about $3/quart over any other place that brand and type was sold.
Interval IS correct. However, yes, I did not mention years. Thanks for the clarification.
Well, as I recall, the factory service manual says 150k miles before the trans fluid needs to be changed but this may have varied from year to year. I thought the interval was extended significantly when Ford went to Mercon V.
I would personally change more often in a long term keeper vehicle. Might make sense to put a drain plug in the pan and do a dump and fill (which will be 4-5 quarts) every 36k but a full fluid exchange every 36k is gonna be expensive and probably not necessary.
Our own Mr Mark Kovolsky I believe advocates a full fluid exchange or flush every 50k miles especially if towing anything significant. Much like spark plugs I myself cannot see fluids still being effective past that mark. We change engine oil somewhere between 3K - 6K miles, I change mine religiously at 4K---its cheap insurance of a sorts.
For the transmission pan its perfectly acceptable to install a drain plug however once again citing Mark Kovolsky's comments the factory filter can last the life of the transmission without changing and not creating issues for the transmission.
The full flush method doesn't require removal of the pan which is just one one more huge advantage over the traditional method. Yeah its not "cheap" but far more effective and in the end a lot less than a new or reman'd transmission.
The full flush method doesn't require removal of the pan which is just one one more huge advantage over the traditional method. Yeah its not "cheap" but far more effective and in the end a lot less than a new or reman'd transmission. [/QUOTE]
Maybe not the least expensive route but your time is worth something and this looks like the quickest, cleanest route I've seen.
And then there's guys like me whose yellow dipstick handle says "Mercon SP" and upon contacting Mark Kovalsky he told me that I can't flush mine without a special machine that heats the new fluid going in....
My van had 113,000 miles unknown maintenance when I bought it, and now 248,500 with no trans flush... Yeah I'm scared.
Local Ford dealer told me they won't even do the flush ($220) because my mileage is so high.
If you have a 5R110 (that's not the subject of this thread) then you can only flush with a heated flush machine. You can still change what's in the pan on a regular basis. That's not as good, but it is much better than not changing anything at all.
The reason the dealer won't do the flush on a high mileage trans is there is a very good chance you've come asking about the flush because there is a problem with your trans. You want new fluid to fix it. It can't fix it, once problems show up damage has been done. The trans is going to fail if you change or don't change the fluid. But if you change the fluid and it fails now you blame the change instead of a quarter million miles of neglect.
03-20-2016, 03:34 PM
