Mobil1 ATF
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
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From: SE Florida
Mobil1 ATF
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Nov-02 AT 05:59 PM (EST)]That's Amsoil's opinion. It does not match what Ford says in the owner's manual and the service literature.
It comes down to who are you going to believe. The oil company or the manufacturer of the transmission?
It comes down to who are you going to believe. The oil company or the manufacturer of the transmission?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Broussard USA
Mobil1 ATF
I have never used Amsoil but it is their oppinion, Penzoil's, Texaco and every other oil site that I found. Amsoil says, I do not remember the exact wording, ensure the warranty of your trany. Every other site I saw also says that if their oil says you can use it then use it and if Ford gives any problems call them they have a legal team for just such things.
A few year back GM lost a hugh law suit b/c they said you could only use their oils. Well the is a small organization called the API, American Petroleum Institute, they regulat all oil and make sure oils meat a certain standard. All oils meating those standards are at least equal.
A few year back GM lost a hugh law suit b/c they said you could only use their oils. Well the is a small organization called the API, American Petroleum Institute, they regulat all oil and make sure oils meat a certain standard. All oils meating those standards are at least equal.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
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Mobil1 ATF
A local (and well respected) shop where I had my trans flushed and replenished talked me out synthetic trans fluid. The (ASE) mechanic showed me notes from a class he had, that synthetics are suspected of causing problems in auto transmissions. Too slippery was the reasoning.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
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From: SE Florida
Mobil1 ATF
It's amazing what they are teaching mechanics. It's wrong, and amazing.
Any fluid that has a MERCON rating has the same "slipperyness" as other MERCON fluids. It does not matter if it is dino or synthetic.
In order to get a MERCON rating the fluid manufacturer must submit fluid to Ford for testig. One of things that is tested is the "slipperyness." If it is too slippery, or not slippery enough, Ford does not allow that manufacturer to put the MERCON label on their fluid. They can't use the name without permission. Ford owns the MERCON name.
Any fluid that has a MERCON rating has the same "slipperyness" as other MERCON fluids. It does not matter if it is dino or synthetic.
In order to get a MERCON rating the fluid manufacturer must submit fluid to Ford for testig. One of things that is tested is the "slipperyness." If it is too slippery, or not slippery enough, Ford does not allow that manufacturer to put the MERCON label on their fluid. They can't use the name without permission. Ford owns the MERCON name.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Broussard USA
Mobil1 ATF
OK Mark so my question is this is it worth the extra money to use anything but the cheapest Mercon or mercon V oil in your trany.
I know I use Mobil1 in the motor b/c it is supposed to reduce friction but I change it at regular intervals. But in a tranny I have always used Valvoline oil just b/c.
I really want you oppinion on this I drive 100k miles per year plus and it would cut my cost some to use a cheaper oil if the properties are the same.
Thanks
I know I use Mobil1 in the motor b/c it is supposed to reduce friction but I change it at regular intervals. But in a tranny I have always used Valvoline oil just b/c.
I really want you oppinion on this I drive 100k miles per year plus and it would cut my cost some to use a cheaper oil if the properties are the same.
Thanks
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
Mobil1 ATF
The coefficient of firction, or "slipperyness" is the same. That is the biggest thing that makes the fluid a MERCON rated fluid.
Synthetic has a higher film strength. That means it protects the metal parts from wear better than dino fluid. Synthetic also has a higher heat resistance, so it won't break down as easily if you get it hot.
Synthetic also transfers heat better, so the transmission will run cooler.
If you don't tow a lot and change the fluid every 30K miles I think you'll be fine with any fluid that has a MERCON rating.
Synthetic has a higher film strength. That means it protects the metal parts from wear better than dino fluid. Synthetic also has a higher heat resistance, so it won't break down as easily if you get it hot.
Synthetic also transfers heat better, so the transmission will run cooler.
If you don't tow a lot and change the fluid every 30K miles I think you'll be fine with any fluid that has a MERCON rating.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 25
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From: Puyallup, Wa
You guys have me a little confused. I just flushed and put Amsoil in my 2001 X PSD with 29,000. I know some of the debates on this site a opinion driven instead of facts and data. If mercon is a Ford owned name and Amsoil advertises their ATF as rated for both mercon and mercon V what's the deal? Is it safe or not? Is their consistant proof that a brand of synthetic or any synthetic has caused trans trouble? Looking at this site and others it would appear that Ford trans stink anyway. They are coming appart consistantly at very low miles, I wouls assume with synthetic or conventional ATF. I am in no way an Amsoil guru, this is my first try with it so I am looking for any facts or data someone can provide showing it good or bad?? I would say this about Ford, they wil wiggle their way out of any warrenty work they can, I know I used to work at a dealership. What really strikes me as odd is you can purchase aftermarket parts at their parts counter that they claim will void your warrenty? What kind of message does that send?
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally posted by goodlete
You guys have me a little confused. I just flushed and put Amsoil in my 2001 X PSD with 29,000. I know some of the debates on this site a opinion driven instead of facts and data. If mercon is a Ford owned name and Amsoil advertises their ATF as rated for both mercon and mercon V what's the deal? Is it safe or not? Is their consistant proof that a brand of synthetic or any synthetic has caused trans trouble?
You guys have me a little confused. I just flushed and put Amsoil in my 2001 X PSD with 29,000. I know some of the debates on this site a opinion driven instead of facts and data. If mercon is a Ford owned name and Amsoil advertises their ATF as rated for both mercon and mercon V what's the deal? Is it safe or not? Is their consistant proof that a brand of synthetic or any synthetic has caused trans trouble?
Many people do and say they have no problems. Some say they have had problems.
Mobil 1 is not MERCON V rated, so it meets Ford's specs.
Amsoil is dual rated MERCON/MERCON V, so it does not meet Ford specs.
I have never seen a head to head comparison of Mobil 1 ATF to Amsoil, so I can't tell you which is "better". Both are pretty darn good.
You need to decide for yourself.
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