It looks as thought the PO had some un-knowledgeable mechanics service his transmission...they used Valvoline MaxLife.
This article: https://www.cartechbooks.com/techtips/autotransfluid states specifically that " Valvoline’s own “product data sheet” (the data sheet produced for every motor oil and ATF giving its specifications, which can be found on the petroleum company’s website) says that this ATF is recommended for GM vehicles, (which use Dexron III), and Ford products (using Mercon) and does not claim this fluid is recommended for any Chrysler product, much less GM products using Dexron VI or Fords requiring Mercon LV."

So how fast should I dump this junk and replace with the proper fluid? Looks like it's been in there for at least 30,000 km (20,000 miles) and it hasn't given me any problems - especially while towing - but again, if it's NOT recommended...it shouldn't be in there!
Anyone else use this stuff?
Had any problems?

 

https://www.valvoline.com/our-produc...ti-vehicle-atf

Go to the manufacturer website instead of some 8 year old article.

Click on the PI sheet and it will tell you exactly what it is compatible with. Mercon LV is listed.

It will be just fine.

 

Maxlife ATF is a well-fortified lube. I have a friend whom works as a consultant to the lube additive industry. He has recommended this lube to me for many applications. Valvoline does not pay all the licensing fees, and so you won't find them licensed for the formal specs, but they are most certainly suitable for use in the applications they specifically list. LV being one of many. I would not dump it; use it.

That old article is typical of someone who knows just enough to be dangerous; fooling himself and others into thinking they know it all, when they don't. He only looks are part of the topic and not all of it. Also does not appear to understand the Magnuson/Moss warranty act as well.

 

The PI Sheet states that "the respective vehicle manufacturers have neither evaluated or endorsed MaxLife Multi vehicle ATF in these applications"....so that could mean that they (manufacturers) do not consider this product to be compatible with their designs.
We are only taking Valvoline's word for it?

Just playing the devil's advocate here...and MY truck is just one year older than this article.

 

The OEM's do not test any oil...the oil mfg must have a 3rd party do the test then the report is sent to the oem who then reviews the data and approves or denies it's use for their vehicles...…… so in short, yes you are always taking the oil mfg word that a product meets or exceeds the oem mfg' specifications

 

I currently have and have had Valvoline MaxLife in my transmission for 45,000 of the past 94,000 miles which includes one drain/fill at 50,000 and one pan removal and filter change at 90,000. It is in my transfer case and gets changed every other oil change. Also flushed and filled the power steering with it at the last oil change.

It's good ATF.

 

OK, thanks....this is the sort of feedback I was looking for.

 

Oh - so it's anecdotal info you want? Our 2005 Grand Marquis had Maxlife ATF in it for the bulk of it's life. We recently sold it; my son's buddy now owns it. 270k miles and counting. UOAs always were fine. Trans never removed or rebuilt. Maxlife is not licensed. And, our 1995 Villager had 245k miles on it when we sold it. I ran nothing but store house-brand Dex/Merc type ATFs in it. The UOAs on the tranny always came back fine; never removed or rebuilt, even after using lowly Walmart Supertech and Autozone ATF. They were not licensed.

Don't fear Maxlife ATF; it is a well made, fully formulated product and can be used in LV applications without concern.

 

Anecdotal info is fine...I am (generally) a trusting person.
These kind of reports just make me wonder what is the other guy's issue...and why he would write something like that, if this is a decent product.

 

ATFs generally have a lot to offer, but they also have a lot of inherent risks.

There are many applications where using something "similar" is of no consequence, but there are also some where you need the exact product or demise will ensue.
CVT trannies, for example, are extremely sensitive to the FM (friction modifier) chemical sorcery to operate properly and avoid untimely demise.
Other trannies seem to run on just about anything and survive decently.
Older trannies that use stuff like Ford "Type F" have a whole different FM requirement as well.

LV is a low viscosity variant of the other general ATFs such as the old Dexron III(h), Mercon, Mercon V. They all share similar properties other than the vis itself. The older ATFs such as those referred to now as Dex/Merc, or D3/M, or such similar stuff, all had a starting vis of around 7.3 cSt, but they sheared down quickly, often well below 6.0 cSt. When GM came up with Dex VI, and Ford came up with LV, these are more shear-stable ATFs that have similar FM and lubricant properties, but have a base-stock that is more robust and won't degrade as quickly. Hence, technically, anything that has a vis rating below 7.x cannot be formally licensed for Mercon V, because it's too "thin". However, Mercon V will degrade over time and drop below 6.0 cSt, where LV will drop far it's viscosity less, and they will end up with very similar viscosity.

There are two reasonable ways you can make an ATF selection:
1) use a fluid that is spec'd by the OEM and is formally licensed for that application (Such as anything that is "LV" compliant and has been tested/approved by Ford)
2) use a fluid which is approved not by the OEM, but by the fluid maker/marketer (Such as Maxlife ATF for the LV application, as stated by Valvoline)

I have always been amused that while some folks (not specifically the OP here, but just in general) worry about every last detail of some products, they completely ignore others which get a "pass" without any question. For example, Amsoil, Royal Purple, Red Line and other super-premium syns are not licensed for their ATF applications, but we pretty much never hear anyone bitch about that ... but when Maxlife ATF is not licensed, it catches everyone's eye. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but sometimes I think people only have one good eye ...

The other topic one has to understand is the warranty issue; that of the Magnuson/Moss Warranty Act. (Check the FTC website and read up on it).
Warranty coverage is more about protecting the seller, but does do some things for the buyer.