any deals out there on trans fluid

[chad8]

I have 2 vehicles with good transmissions that I want to keep that way. one is a 95 corolla with 195000 miles. the other is a taurus with 24000 miles. I need 7-8 quarts of dex 3 and about 15 quarts of dex 5 or full synthetic. neither car needs an immediate change so i want to shop a bit. bitog guys seem to know where the deals are.
Any suggestions?

 

[unDummy]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=33&page=1

 

[Familyguy]

Good Lord. That question is like going to a Weight Watchers meeting and asking if anyone knows the best place to buy chocolate.

Skip Dexron 3. Allegedly Dexron VI is backwards compatible for both of your applications, but it ain't cheap. I've seen 12qt cases for it online for about $50 + shipping.

 

[soldierman]

At last count I had 220 Qts of motor oil that I purchased most at less than $1.00 each. That was before I changes my wifes oil and before I bought 6 of the PP walmart 5Qt jugs. Yet I only have a few Qts of trans fluid.... All bought at retail.

I never seem to find a deal on it. Perhaps I'm its because I'm a bit more picky about what I will run in my AT than in my engines. Perhaps its also because I never see ATF on "sale" or closeout.

 

[fdcg27]

You will see ATF on closeout once in a great while, when a retailer is discontinuing a brand.
Unless you are running a transmission shop, you'll go through a whole lot more motor oil than ATF and not everyone who changes oil will change ATF.
For this reason, ATF, trans filters and pan gaskets are rarely featured specials.
I have never seen a MIR on ATF either, although I'm sure that somebody will come along to prove me wrong.

 

[Cutehumor]

ATF is never on sale. if it is, it's on closeout like old Dex 3 atf.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Familyguy
Good Lord. That question is like going to a Weight Watchers meeting and asking if anyone knows the best place to buy chocolate.

 

[ET16]

Advance has 50 cents off their ATF in my area.

 

[Tremo]

Woah, Taurus? Dex? Don't those Fords want Mercon?

 

[bdcardinal]

what year is the taurus? depending on year it could be Dex3/Merc, Merc V, CVT.

 

[JTK]

There sure aren't many deals to be found. Even the cheapest Supertech ATF is $3.79/qt these days. I noticed at Target of all places, Castrol ATFs for slightly less than Walmart.

Joel

 

[chad8]

my bad. the taurus is an 03. merc 5 . it only has 24000 miles. i will probably wait until 30000 to change it but i thought i would use the aa $10 off $25 for each deal since i need 13-15 quarts. that amounts to 40% off.the ford trans is a nightmare waiting to happen. The pumps fail without warning at 60000 if you are one of the unlucky ones.

 

[JTK]

Chad, as far as I know the pump really isn't an issue on the AX4N, especially 2001+. I know it was in the early 1990s. I know the Merc 5 looked and smelled awful on my 2001 Windstar at ~34Kmi. Did a pump out/refill and then a pan drop & filter change. Never had an issue with that baby & traded it off at just over 100Kmi in 2008.

Joel

 

[SecondMonkey]

Costco sells cases of Chevron MD-3 (Dex III) for something like $26. That's only a little over 2 bucks a quart. I've been using this stuff in my vehicles for years, and it's always been great.

 

[stranger706]

Walmart has Mercon V for $3.77 per quart. Ive been using it for awhile now.

 

[chad8]

i would really like to go synthetic on the taurus.I would use amsoil if i could justify the cost. I picked some up on a store closeout for $5 a quart and used it for power steering fluid on the corollas. It solved a very stiff cold weather steering problem on one corolla and cured a squeal on my other.I was impressed! I am on t.c.c.a. a bit and the transmission horror stories are routine even on the newer models. yes ,the trans problems are much less on the ax4n but still worrisome especially at 100000 miles and above. I also plan to tow with it a bit so it needs extra protection.I guess the heat kills these transmissions.. I am just trying to be pro active. The aa near me does not carry good quality merc v transmission fluid otherwise i would go that route.

 

[PT1]

I use the AAp $10 coupon on ATF. Walmart was selling the castrol domestic MV atf for $2. I still have about 2 gallons of that left.

 

[chad8]

my walmart does not have castrol. all they have is st m3 . maybe they were just out of it.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

If you're worried about heat killing your trans. then you should also consider an aux. trans. cooler if you haven't already.

I don't know if I've ever seen trans. fluid on sale. It must be rare.

 

[chad8]

i have considered a cooler ,but the amount i tow with it is minimal. I would just rather do a full fluid exchange with the best synthetic m5 i can find and let it rip.