I'm planning on doing a tranny flush in the next couple of months. The last time I changed it, I had about $150 in fluid alone for Mobil 1 synthetic (about $8.99 quart). I can get the Valvoline synthetic for about $4.99 a quart. I have also put the 6.0 tranny cooler in so it will take a few more quarts. Is the Mobil 1 that much better or am i paying for the name? I tow a 31' TT that weighs about 10,500 lbs. I probably tow 4,000-6,000 miles a year.

 

Maybe one more quart.

The Valvoline synthetic is just as good as Mobil 1, IMNSHO.

 

I thing they are all pretty much the same in my unhumble opinion. I would use Mercon V.

 

Ford MerconV is like 6.50 a qt average. Save a few bucks over the mobil.

 

I use Royal Purple Max ATF synthetic. It is pricy. I put it in at 60K miles. I now have 123K on the clock with the same fluid. The tranny shifts like the day I got it and the fluid has no burnt smell or color change. I plan to change it at 160K miles. I recently added 1.5 quarts of AR9100 friction modifier and the tranny shifts smoother, even on real cold starts like today (11°F). I also have an extra capacity (4.5 quarts) aluminum pan.

Ed

 

Anyone had any luck with Lucas? I need to change my fluid as well.

 

Not a fan of anything Lucas. Several of their additives are actually detrimental to overall engine health, to me that's just betrayal of consumer trust for profit. No longer a supporter of them nor their products.

 

Really!? What problems have you had with them? I've been using Lucas for a good many years and never had an issue?

 

For starters their additives for engine oil take away the anti-foam properties and combat and replace/interfere with the WA's and FM's already in place by the manufacturer. That and a cold-start test yielded a weight of differential oil, which means the engine is running on a smear of oil until there's enough heat to warm and circulate what is essentially 75w90 through your engine.

The amount of engines I've seen with varnishing in the cylinders, some even on the rings and lands is ridiculous. 90% of them had had Lucas run through them. The high performance the engine the worse the results, but then again those with REAL engines know better than to put trash in them.

Now that I've gone full thread hijack, for the money you're spending for the additives and other things you're WAY better off buying a superior oil or fluid to begin with. You're basically spending the same money just with two different products, one of which detracts from the other's intended function and goal. Not going to keep going, I could write a paper on it. Bobistheoilguy.com if you care to do your own research.

On topic, as already pointed out Ford's MercV is a bit cheaper. Invest in a top notch filter and run the Merc V IMO. Synthetic, Dino oil.... Doesn't matter. And you CAN swap between the two with no issues, synthetic and dino oils both have detergents that do the same job. One will not break up dirt and crap left by the other.

 

Thanks for the info. Sorry for the hi-jack.

 

Where do you guys get your Ford MercV fluid and filter? Any online resources?

 

Go with MercV. it is semi synthetic and works just as good as the full synthetics!

 

MERCON V is semi synthetic if you buy the semi synthetic MERCON V. It is full synthetic if you buy the full synthetic MERCON V.

 

None online, I get my Mercon V from Walmart at $5 qt. They might not have enough so ask them to check the back room or just buy what they have and come back later. They popped up with all 18 quarts for me.

 

Never heard of the full one???????