Mercon SP1 compatable with Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF?
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Standish ME
Mercon SP1 compatable with Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF?
Just noticed on the valvoline site that they claim their
MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF is compatable with the Mercon
SP1 required in the Torqueshift transmissions. Also looks
like it's compatable with the regular Mercon specifications.
I'd like to be able to just use one brand in our Explorer
(Mercon V) and our F250 (Mercon SP1). Anyone have any
experience using it?
MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF is compatable with the Mercon
SP1 required in the Torqueshift transmissions. Also looks
like it's compatable with the regular Mercon specifications.
I'd like to be able to just use one brand in our Explorer
(Mercon V) and our F250 (Mercon SP1). Anyone have any
experience using it?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Is it "compatible"? Or is it certified to meet the Ford specifications?
How much does your transmission cost?
I'm not trying to be a smartass, but you have a very expensive transmission where the maker specifies a fluid. Mercon SP is a lot cheaper than your transmission, or transmission repair. It's not worth the risk, to me.
How much does your transmission cost?
I'm not trying to be a smartass, but you have a very expensive transmission where the maker specifies a fluid. Mercon SP is a lot cheaper than your transmission, or transmission repair. It's not worth the risk, to me.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls, MT
That is why I just used the Mercon SP. Just a side note though, a lot of times manufacturers try to use scare tactics so that customers will use their products/services. For example most Harley owners in my area are afraid to even change their oil on their bikes due to the scare tactics that everything is so hard to do on them, yet I've had the bike down to its frame with less than $100 in tools. Now, I know I couldn't rebuild one of these transmissions without a bunch of special tools, hence the scare worked for me on the fluid, but it would be interesting if someone had experience with it and could say if it caused problems or was just fine.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
No, the Valvoline Maxlife does not meet your transmissions specifications pefectly. It is a one-size-fits-all type fluid, and it does not meet the specifications exactly. Your transmission is computer controlled, and it expects the fluid to have certain properties when it modulates the shifts. If the properties are not a perfect match, you get slight amounts of slippage and accelerated wear. This can cause your transmission to fail prematurely. Get the good stuff, genuine Mercon SP1 fluid. I'm not sure if SP1 and Mercon V are fully compatible either.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,707
Likes: 2,628
From: SE Florida
I've never heard of MERCON SP1. What is it?
The TorqShift requires MERCON SP. If you use a fluid that meets MERCON V expect to replace all seven VERY expen$ive solenoids.
The TorqShift requires MERCON SP. If you use a fluid that meets MERCON V expect to replace all seven VERY expen$ive solenoids.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
Is there a chart or something similar with what the differences are between the all these Mercons? Just curious for knowledge.
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