This is a copy of an email sent to Ford, same as what was posted here, a few days ago. And let me say folks on this site where a whole hell of a lot more helpfull then Ford even attempted to be! Thank you'''' read on,,, I know it's lenghtly but it's a informed experiance! The caution advisory is on Valvoline transmission fluid. They add to the confusion and frustration with Mercon V and what ever fluid we are left with to use! My experience doing a simple Tranny flush went bad enough with the mystery extra fluid (checked on level ground) only to find synthetic is what I have domed my wife’s car with a 2002 Ford Escape automatic Transmission 6cly 85k miles

I thought I was doing a preventive maintenance transmission fluid change, I proceeded as follows; warmed the vehicle up (15 mile drive) parked and drained one gallon of fluid, replenished the one gallon fluid (as per Chilton manual procedure) adding small amounts with engine running, drove vehicle 5 mile test drive cycling threw all gears as well as overdrive and cruise control. Parked vehicles removed the new one gallon of transmission fluid (sacrificed for flushing purpose) test drove the vehicle, everything was fine! Discovered the dip stick was reading quart to much! Hot motor as well as cold? So naturally removed the one quart, then a slipping began! Then the frustration! Posing the question to the dealer, what might be the problem? As well as, is the fluid being used wrong? They didn’t know why the dip stick would read one quart to much! And regarding the type of transmission fluid there answer conflicted with the manual and Chilton’s! As did the answer by another dealer about the type of transmission fluid. One says Mercon V the other Dextron III/ Mercon? The fluid that was put in was Dextron III/Mercon ! But here is what adds to the problem, the new fluid is a synthetic! Only discovered this by calling the manufacture, Valvoline. When asked what is your fluid synthetic or natural oil based? We were told synthetic! But nowhere on the bottle does it state the product is synthetic! We specifically shopped for non synthetic per manual recommendations. So the fix is what? Is the transmission damaged? Or everything will be fine the dipstick is wrong possible manufacture error (being wrong dip stick installed) and just add the quart back into transmission! Or having the Trans flushed would fix the problem any advise would be appreciated Thank you

This is Fords response,,,,,,, Dear Joe, Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center regarding your 2002 Ford Escape. The circumstances that you have outlined in your original e-mail have been given careful consideration. Our records indicate that on 10/05/2006, you contacted the Ford Customer Relationship Center via phone and our Customer Service Representative advised you that we recommend your service/repair be performed by a Ford/Lincoln Mercury dealership. Please contact the dealership to schedule a service appointment. Please be advised a diagnostic fee may be charged. They will further assist in facilitating your service/repair needs. If any new information regarding this matter should become available in the future, please let us know. However, at this time our decision remains the same. We consider the satisfaction of our customers one of our most important objectives. If you have any other inquiries or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address them for you. Sincerely, Christie Customer Relationship Center Ford Motor Company
This is my response to Ford.........
Wow "your decision has been made" your such an authority? well Mrs authority if your going to do any good for the people that pay your over paid salary, then you might take a decent observation of the problem! It seems Ford has allowed an authorized distributor (Valvoline) to name ford as endorser of there product, by claiming Vavoline meets fords specs! A simple heads up for them to change the label so informed consumers, not on an overpaid salaries" can make an informed decision! This is an obvious attempt by ford to market parts and labor! Oh! and to sell new cars for the ones ford contributed to break! or it's just over paid as---- like your self not doing your job! Take your pick! Oh and nowhere in your reply email did you state you would attempt to remedy the situation either by contacting Vavoline to at least properly label there product. Or even attempt to communicate in regards to the issue! your only final resolve was to point me in a direction that makes ford service Dept money! "This is your decision."Your communication and this communication will be posted on every ford enthusiast forum on the net. you may consider this a feeble attempt, But an effective one! Better than any attempt you thought you served. Careful consideration Please!

Well thats it! more indepth coversation via phone happened but I'll spare you ! I'm not trying to make a federal case of it, just dealing with it really and informing people that work hard for their money.

 

Your response to Ford will certainly get you nowhere. I never mess with my tranny. That is one item I let the dealer's service department handle.

I hope your tranny is OK.

 

I dont know how or why Valvoline would mis-label like that. Usually when they sell synthetic anything they scream it all over the bottle. I have heard that folks have gotten into tranny trouble when when useing a combination approved fluid. If it calls for Mercon V then use only that and not a Dextron 3/Mercon. Similar problem is when folks use Mercon V when the spec is Mercon R. I would be surprised if it did permanent damage. i would put it on a flat bed and take it to a good independent shop for a total flush. Call around, i wouldnt be surprised if they had seen this before.

 

The CD4E tranny has problems back to 1994 when it was introduced. Dexron III (plain Mercon) is required per Ford but they're changing their tune. In April Ford stated they would no longer license the Mercon fluid and now all trannys can use Mercon V. Whether a synthetic is really the issue...I doubt it. Just an excuse to point the blame somewhere else for the poor CD4E.

 

I wonder too
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...or-mercon.html

 

'Parked vehicles removed the new one gallon of transmission fluid (sacrificed for flushing purpose) test drove the vehicle, everything was fine!'

I think we have here a case of 'Operator trouble - loose nut behind the wheel'. Now read what you wrote - you parked the vehicle and REMOVED THE NEW ONE GALLON OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. What the heck happened out there? Then, you say you checked the fluid and it was a quart high - was the engine running at the time? Fluid will be high on the stick with the engine off. I'm thinking you screwed up and got the trans oil too low, which makes it slip. I also do not believe Max Life is a synthetic. The price alone will tell you that ($3.49). Like the man said, if it were a synthetic, it would be plastered all over the bottle.

 

Fer crissakes!

This is a two year old thread. Leave it dead and gone!

 

In my opinion it was important enough to comment on. What you think is of no consequence to me.

 

IMO the OP broke the major rule of DIY: "If it ain't broke, Don't fix it" Living by that rule saves lives/time/frustration/money

 

Last information about CD4E and Mercon V: there are two main changes in new CD4E especially For Mercon V (used in Ford Escape-2007 since 05-01-2006) to avoid conflicts with Mercon V:

1) Converter was updated from 3L8Z-7902-BARM(or older) to 8L8Z-7902-A.
2) Chain was updated from F6RZ-7G249-CA(or older) to 8L8Z-7G249-A.

Look also at Transtec.com and Transparts.com.