I don't want to start a huge discussion, but would like to know if there is much difference between the different brands of ATF.

The last batch I bought was Mercon (I think). It's the stuff that was recommended in the manual anyway. There doesn't seem to be any other ratings like there are for engine oil.

Should I be looking out for anything except the name (Mercon or whatever) when I buy ATF?

Thanks

 

I would say to buy what makes you feel good (so long as it's the type specified)and go on. Unless you can drain the torque converter, you are only changing a fraction of your fluid anyway.

ATF is pretty tough stuff. Unless your really abusing your tranny, whatever brand you put in it will keep it happy.

98 F250LD 4X4

 

You should definitely use Mercon, assuming that is what the manual says to use. Then the decision comes down to What brand(Pennzoil, Valvoline, Mobile, etc etc). Then do you want regular dino(Dinosaur, the usual stuff) based, synthetic or a blend? If you do normal driving and change regularly, the dino will work just fine. For heavy duty or just because you like it, you might use synthetic. Most magazines say that the blends are not really worth it since most blends use only a little synthetic, so in effect you pay almost the synthetic price but get mostly dino stuff with a little syn to get the name on the lable.

I am probably missing a few, but I think currently there are the following types of tranny fluid: Type F, Dexron(different # types), Mercon( a couple # types). Fords have used all three kinds at one time or another. It should be called out in your owners manual. Also on some cars it might be imprinted on the dip stick.

Based on the info you gave us that is about as far as we can take it. If you don't have a manual, we or a store will need to know model year, engine and tranny type to start.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Thanks very much for the info and sorry for not including the type of vehicle...

I have a 1999 F-250 super duty with the V-10, not sure what the trany is. We use it to pull a 5th wheel that has a GVW of about 8000#.

I changed the transmission fluid once already and used a "no name" brand of fluid. As someone else said, I didn't get nearly as much fluid out as I expected, so I've got lots of the stuff I bought left!! I'm hoping I can use it again for the next change.

Also, is there some way of draining the torque converter? or should I worry?

What do you think?

Gord

 

Hmmm, I don't know specifics on the 99 V10, but I would bet it requires Mercon III. Check the manual for sure.

If you are towing a trailer, I recommend changing dino every 12,000 to maybe 30,000 miles, check your manual for sure, I think my 94 F250 recommends 12,000 for towing.

Yes you can drain the torque converter, but it depends on the kind of transmission. i.e. some do, some don't allow it and I don't know your truck specifics. Best way is to get a shop manual or a Haynes or Chiltons. Other method is to pull the splash shield off the front bottom of the tranny bell housing. You should have good access to the TC once the shield is off. Use a flash light and you should see some king of plug, usually on the front face of the TC out towards the rim. That is the drain plug. Turn your TC, either by having someone "tap" the starter, make sure you are safe and the engine doesn't start of course. Or you could turn the TC by hand, usually by using a special tool that looks like a giant spanner wrench with teeth, sometimes brute force is all you need. Again make sure the engine WILL NOT START, maybe pull the distributor coil wire.

Drain the TC and the pan, be sure to take a peak at whatever is in the pan, it can tell you a lot about the condition of the tranny. Any large metal chunks are bad, small maybe grain of rice size chunks are probably OK if there are only a few. Better is a pan with just a few pepper size flakes(clutch material) and a thin coating of sludge, none is better. The magnet should have only a little silvery fuzzy stuff on it.

Once the pan and TC are drained you should put the pan back on and fill it up. Then turn the TC plug hole back up past half way if possible and use a hand pump with hose to get the ATF into the tc til it starts to drip out the hole. Close it up and then start the truck and follow the manual for the procedure to check ATF fluid level.

It is not necessary to do this but it is worthwhile if you have the time. Most places will just drop the pan and leave the TC alone. Usually they will offer a "power flush" or something like that where they hook the tranny up to a machine which pumps new ATF thru the cooler lines which eventually flushes out most of the old ATF, worth doing but expensive and I think the do it yourself may be a bit better. What ever method is used, you never really get all the junk out since there is always some mixing, usually in the TC. Regular changes are the most important part.

Keep in mind these are my opinions based upon reading and paying for a few tranny rebuilds in my lifetime. I am NOT an expert.

Jim Henderson

 

Oh, BTW, when you drop the pan, it can be messy. I recommend loosening 3 sides of the pan and just breaking the bolts loose on the 4th side, then opening the pan so that, hopefully all the fluid pours out on just the one side where it is loosest.

Also The TC will use up quite a bit of fluid so if you only have a few quarts you will probably want to get some more. If you don't plan to drop the pan or otherwise remove the fluid already in there, then don't waste time with the TC since the old stuff is already mixed with the new, if you started it. i. e. treat this as a complete fluid change if you plan to do it at all.

Jim Henderson

 

ATF. Well the thought on ATF being tough stuff is false. ATF is very sensitive to heat. This is why automatics need to be changed every 25,000. The detergents and conditioners break down, becuase of heat. Ford's new specs for ATF since '98 are Mercron V. This replaces all previous Mercrons. GM uses the Dextron III as opposed to the older II. Be carefull what you dump in.

 

Thanks for the reply... got me thinking as to what I did put in there!!

I know the point of ATF being sensitive to heat, as a matter of fact I was thinking of installing a transmission temperature gauge.

I took a look in the manual and it says to use Mercon, not Mercon V. In fact is says words to the affect that there are "dual type" (Mercon and Mercon V) and not to use these types in a transmission that specifies Mercon. It also says Mercon (not Mercon V) on the dipstick.

The stuff I put in does say Mercon on it, so I guess I'm OK!

Thanks again,
Gord

 

 

Go with synthetic ATF.