I was at Oreilly's trying to buy some MERCON LV transmission fluid to change the fluid in my trans. They didn't have any, instead they showed me Oreilly's Global multi vehicle ATF. It says on the bottle that it meets the requirements of ATF-4, DEXRON V, MERCON SP/LV. Would it be OK to change the ATF in my tranny with it?

 

Is a 3,000 dollar tranny worth saving 5 or 10 bucks for fluid? Not to me. I'm not saying it won't work, just not worth the risk vrs. gain factor.

 

It's what I use in the 4 speed auto in my Hyundai, but I drain and fill every 15k because it's so cheap, so I don't know if its reliable over the long haul. I wouldn't use it in my truck, I'd go for a Mercon SP specific fluid

 

The LV fluid is about a buck cheaper per qt. than the SP at our Ford dealer.

 

Both work right? My shop manual only says SP, but I saw LV on a dealer invoice from my 60k workup. I just meant go for a specifically identified fluid, not a globally compatible one.

 

LV is ford's replacement for sp and is fully compatible. They can be mixed. Can your am's??

 

SP is no longer being produced and eventually you'll only be able to get the LV.

 

FWIW, the O'reilly MV ATF is made by Pennzoil and is every bit as good, if not better then SP. The specs are better:

Specific Gravity @ 60°F (H20=1) 0.86-0.88
Viscosity, @ 100°C cSt 7.6
Brookfield Viscosity, cP, max 13,000
Pour Point, °C(F) <-43(-45)
Flash Point, °C(F) 350(177)

I've used it for ages in bulk form for Ford, Toyota, Allison, and many many others. Never a problem. Not that using a more expensive product in a different bottle is bad, but most trans fluids are made by one of three oil companies. The base is all the same with slightly different detergents and anti-shudder agents mixed in. Oh, and dye for coloration.

Oh, and who makes SP and LV? Valvoline...

 

You answered the question for me. I don't like penzoil and would use it only in an emergency. JMHO.

 

The Valvoline Max Life Dex/Merc also says it is compatible with Merc SP/LV. I've used both before and haven't had any problems.

 

Mark K. has stated several times the Valvoline is the ONLY stuff to use if you do not use the Ford stuff.
He is the guy who built the transmission so........

 

And at the most you might be saving a buck a qt. so why risk it?

 

How about particulates? The solenoids are very sensitive to particulates in the fluid. Many fluids are engineered with particulates that act as an anti-foaming agent.

I said that? Could you show me where? I must be getting old, I don't remember that at all. It sure doesn't sound like something that I would have said.

 

Some people said that it's ok, others have said that it's not. So I guess just to be on the safe side I'll return Oreilly's & have them order me some MOTORCRAFT transmission fluid instead. I wouldn't want to take any chances screwing up my tranny. I appreciate all the help from everybody. Thank you all.

 

Sorry Mark got it from this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...id-change.html
It was Bismic Mark,
"I have read about folks successfully using Valvoline MaxLife. This product says that it is Mercon SP and LV compatible"
So I went off the deep end there shpould have re read that before posting Sorry my bad......