Trans Fluid
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Trans Fluid
01 F150 4.2 80,000mi 4 spd auto trans 310.
I plan to tow about 1200 lb trailer occasionally. Also (like all of us) I want the truck to last forever. Someone on the towing forum advised me to go synthetic throughout the drive train. I've never heard of Syn Trans fluid or rear end oil. What can you tell me?
I plan to tow about 1200 lb trailer occasionally. Also (like all of us) I want the truck to last forever. Someone on the towing forum advised me to go synthetic throughout the drive train. I've never heard of Syn Trans fluid or rear end oil. What can you tell me?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is Mercon rated. At AutoZone, I saw that they also carried Vavoline synthetic ATF, which is Mercon V rated. I recently changed my ATF and put in Mobil 1. I recently had the gears change in my front & rear ends. I had Mobil 1 75w-90 synthetic gear oil put in the front and Amsoil synthetic 75w-140 put in the rear. Mobil 1 doesn't make a 75w-140, or I would have had that put in the rear also.
I tow a camper, and a lot of folks on some of the RV forums swear by the sythetic ATF and gear oil, because they disburse the heat better and do not break down as easily. Heat is a huge issue w/transmissions and rear ends when towing. If you don't already have one, add a transmission cooler for towing. They are inexpensive, help reduce the heat in your transmission, and are easy to install.
I tow a camper, and a lot of folks on some of the RV forums swear by the sythetic ATF and gear oil, because they disburse the heat better and do not break down as easily. Heat is a huge issue w/transmissions and rear ends when towing. If you don't already have one, add a transmission cooler for towing. They are inexpensive, help reduce the heat in your transmission, and are easy to install.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Hey Jeff, go with the synthetic for the motor oil and rear end gear oil. I highly recommend Mobil 1 for the motor and Redline Shock Proof in the rearend.
Check your owners manual for the recommended ATF. I suspect it will spec Mercon V which is a synthetic fluid. You can buy AAMCO brand Mercon V at Autozone and other major autoparts retailers. The AAMCO brand fluid is a quality fluid made by Exxon (says so right on the back of the bottle) and is reasonably priced.
Occasionally towing a 1200 lbs trailer won't hurt your truck at all so this is all pretty much good PM anyway. An external tranny cooler would be a good idea though.
Steve
Check your owners manual for the recommended ATF. I suspect it will spec Mercon V which is a synthetic fluid. You can buy AAMCO brand Mercon V at Autozone and other major autoparts retailers. The AAMCO brand fluid is a quality fluid made by Exxon (says so right on the back of the bottle) and is reasonably priced.
Occasionally towing a 1200 lbs trailer won't hurt your truck at all so this is all pretty much good PM anyway. An external tranny cooler would be a good idea though.
Steve
