Thoughts on Automatic Trans Fluid
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Hmmm.... I am using synthetic transmission fluid....
Maybe I'll stop bathing in it, huffing it, and putting it on my ice cream.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 9
From: Wellington, Co
How important is it to flush the fluid if switching from regular atf to synthetic? Do they mix ok since a change is 17+ qts, and how much is left?
I have a '01 F250, 7.3 4x4, and will be towing 5th wheel to Colorado through the fall, so synthetic sounds like a real good idea. 192,000 miles.
Thanks.
Tom.
I have a '01 F250, 7.3 4x4, and will be towing 5th wheel to Colorado through the fall, so synthetic sounds like a real good idea. 192,000 miles.
Thanks.
Tom.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: 92592
Try this: Lucas Oil Multi-Vehicle ATF : Lucas Oil - Lucas Oil Multi-Vehicle ATF
It's even rated for SP and LV. Many thousands of miles on it with the 4 speeds and 5 speeds.
Unless you have seriously burnt fluid, you might want to change the pan contents four times every 3-5000 miles to slowly introduce the clean fluid (it mixes just fine with the old stuff) to avoid the possiblity of breaking loose old deposits.
It's even rated for SP and LV. Many thousands of miles on it with the 4 speeds and 5 speeds.
Unless you have seriously burnt fluid, you might want to change the pan contents four times every 3-5000 miles to slowly introduce the clean fluid (it mixes just fine with the old stuff) to avoid the possiblity of breaking loose old deposits.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Try this: Lucas Oil Multi-Vehicle ATF : Lucas Oil - Lucas Oil Multi-Vehicle ATF
It's even rated for SP and LV. Many thousands of miles on it with the 4 speeds and 5 speeds.
It's even rated for SP and LV. Many thousands of miles on it with the 4 speeds and 5 speeds.
http://www.lucasoil.com/images/media...1983419411.pdf
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: 92592
According to Lucas' own specs, it's not SP or LV rated. Use it and watch your warranty and probably your transmission go bye bye.
http://www.lucasoil.com/images/media...1983419411.pdf
http://www.lucasoil.com/images/media...1983419411.pdf
I've personally brought it to the product manager's attention.
The product guys are always yelling at the Webmaster, it's pretty funny to watch.
It's also rated for the Idemitsu K17 if you have one of those.
(I have no idea)
We've used it for tens of thousands of miles (even in the Trophy Truck) with great success.
I'll try to scan the label later and post it.
BTW, it has a flash point above 400 degrees which is pretty high for ATF, but when a cooling line lets go and it splashes onto hot headers in the desert.........let's just say the onboard fire system got a 'field-test'. And the crew got a talking to by the driver.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 9
From: Wellington, Co
Is the 4 dollar price at a national chain store? I have been poking around and not sure yet where I can buy Mobil One here in Houston, online price so far is 9.00 qt!!
Motorcraft is looking pretty good right now.
Motorcraft is looking pretty good right now.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Iowa
I bought my truck used and wanted to change the ATF filter and fluid. Pep Boys told me that they would not change the fluid if it hadn't been changed in the last 50k miles. They told me the tranny could go in to lockout and it would ruin the tranny. I have never heard of that. Does anyone have any input or experience with this problem.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,359
Likes: 1
From: Hampstead, NC
I bought my truck used and wanted to change the ATF filter and fluid. Pep Boys told me that they would not change the fluid if it hadn't been changed in the last 50k miles. They told me the tranny could go in to lockout and it would ruin the tranny. I have never heard of that. Does anyone have any input or experience with this problem.
Doesn't matter on the miles, just change it. If the trans goes out after changing the fluid either you (or who ever changed it) messed up or it was going anyway.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 3
From: West of Chicago
In order to sell any transmission fluid with the "Mercron V" name its has to meet fords specs. Any ATF is fine as long as its Mercron V. I have been running Advance Auto Parts brand fluid in all my vehicles for years and I have never had problems. Most chain autoparts stores use valvoline since it is most commonly sold in bulk. NAPA's brand of oil is made by Ashland witch is castrol which is really BP. Napa uses Valvoline for all their other fluids. I know Mobil 1 is good fluid but I have never used it. Currently in my 7.3 Ex I am running good old motorcraft mercron V. Lucas is nothing more than a snake oil manufacturer. I would never use any Lucas product in something I value. There really isnt any point in running "royal purple" or any other fluids like "redline" or "AMSOIL" in these trucks, There not race cars. Most people dont understand that all you pay for is the name. Take Fleet trucks for example, they are worked hard and beat up and get no special treatment from fancy named fluids, they seem to be just fine.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,734
Likes: 2,663
From: SE Florida
I bought my truck used and wanted to change the ATF filter and fluid. Pep Boys told me that they would not change the fluid if it hadn't been changed in the last 50k miles. They told me the tranny could go in to lockout and it would ruin the tranny. I have never heard of that. Does anyone have any input or experience with this problem.
What CAN happen is that many people ignore the transmission for many years. Then problems start and they decide to try new fluid to see if it will fix it cheap. New fluid can't fix a damaged transmission. When it doesn't fix it they blame the trans failure on the new fluid, when the trans was already dead before the new fluid.
New fluid will NEVER harm a healthy transmission.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
They are making this up as they go along. There is no such thing as a trans going into lockout.
What CAN happen is that many people ignore the transmission for many years. Then problems start and they decide to try new fluid to see if it will fix it cheap. New fluid can't fix a damaged transmission. When it doesn't fix it they blame the trans failure on the new fluid, when the trans was already dead before the new fluid.
New fluid will NEVER harm a healthy transmission.
What CAN happen is that many people ignore the transmission for many years. Then problems start and they decide to try new fluid to see if it will fix it cheap. New fluid can't fix a damaged transmission. When it doesn't fix it they blame the trans failure on the new fluid, when the trans was already dead before the new fluid.
New fluid will NEVER harm a healthy transmission.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...20#Post2860520