servicing tranny, what fluid are you using?

[lakailimited06]

just picked up my new to me 2002 7.3 auto yesterday...i know the PO did frequent oil changes but im not too sure about everything else..im getting a printout from his mechanic tomorrow but i already ordered a new tranny filter and fuel filter to replace when i get the chance...

just curious what trans fluid everyones using and what you recommend?

[bwvick]

Motorcraft Mercon V, that is what Ford recommends.

[Dietoremain]

the 4R100 was made to run on MDIII so that is what I run, my bud gets it by the 5 gal bucket, so it works for me(chevron stuff)
MV isnt the same standard and has different additives. Just saying..

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by bwvick

Motorcraft Mercon V, that is what Ford recommends.

Yea, that's what the say Now.......

BUT look in your owners manual, know what they said when they sold that truck? They specifically mention Mercon V, and specifically tell you NOT to use it

So, What's changed? you might ask.....

Well I know my transmission hasn't changed, we know the formulation of Mercon V hasn't changed, so that kinda leaves only One thing.

FORDS responsibility for taking care of your transmission (under Warranty) and their desire to limit the number of different fluids they have to stock everywhere has certainly changed

I'm not putting ANYTHING in my, expensive, transmission other than what they told me to when they made it! Dextron-III

[bwvick]

Yep, I was planning on changing out my tranny fluid in a few weeks so I called ford and they said mercon V.

Picked up a haynes manual last night to assist in replacing turbo and pedestal o-rings, took a looksy in it does not say which to use, but it does say do not use mercon v. so i retract my earlier comment.

gonna call ford next week!

[Nashotah7]

I go over to the Ford dealer and buy the Ford fluid recomended for my '97. I change once a year. 284,000 + miles and same tranny with no issues. I pull 12,000 lbs almost everyday, and a 20' bass boat on the weekends. Then plow snow when the water gets "hard" up here.

[codysweat]

mobil 1 dex/merc full syn

[lakailimited06]

hmm i bought valvoline max life dex/merc and on their website it says it can be used where Mercon and Mercon V are specified..but then they also sell valvoline Dex/Merc where Dex 3 and Mercon are specified...not sure which to use

[Zaairman]

I put the Valvoline Maxlife Mercon V in my truck a few weeks ago. Working great so far.

[wadmalawjoe]

Man,dang..... I put this same type post in the transmission section the other day and got 2 replies, Amsoil. I did a search a few days ago and came up with nothing. I just happened to stumble across this one.
Amsoil is great but expensive. Looking like $200 bucks to change trans fluid out.
My second choice is Mobil 1 synthetic, at $8 +, it looks like around $150 for a complete fluid change, 17 quarts, just a filter change is something like 7 quarts $60 +/-

Ford dealer here said the same thing, Mercon V is fine, interesting as the book says DON'T!