Ford E4OD and Valvoline Maxlife ATF

[qdeezie]

I've been digging around to see how this fluid works with my transmission. I've seen posts with comments stating that it's not good in this particular trans and I've seen other posts that say that the fluid makes their vehicle (non-Fords/non-E4ODs) shift buttery smooth. I really want to try it, but wanted some general feedback. I always thought the E4OD wasn't a choicy trans when it comes to fluid as long as the fluid met Mercon specs. I'm thinking to just try it for my own edification and report back.

I saw a deal that is just too good to pass on to be perfectly honest, so that's the reason behind this post.

Thoughts?

 

[EricF]

it should give that buttery shifting feel.. I'd add a bottle of Lubegard Red just because it will only help.

 

[svchareta]

I have been using it in my 1999 Expedition. It has been almost 3 years since my last transmission flush. Shifts very smooth. Slightly over 156K on vehicle.

 

[qdeezie]

That's good to know. Does anyone have any other Ford experiences in general with Maxlife ATF?

 

[Kuato]

I always used Type F for my Ford products, with no shifting problems ever. Had '86 and '93 Crown Vics.

 

[Hermann]

Originally Posted By: qdeezie
That's good to know. Does anyone have any other Ford experiences in general with Maxlife ATF?



Have used Maxlife Mercon/Dexron in a 2005 Mercury Mariner with the AWD V-6. Not sure what the transmission model # is but it works nice in the transmission. The Mariner has a drain plug, and have done 2 drain and fills with it. Nothing but good things to say, no cons.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
I always used Type F for my Ford products, with no shifting problems ever. Had '86 and '93 Crown Vics.
You put Type F in a '93 CV??????

 

[RedOak]

Maxlife should work well. I used Carquest Dex-Merc made by Valvoline in my 94 150 with the e4od. That worked just fine. Boy I regret selling that truck. The old 351 windsor with that transmission was a fine powertrain.

 

[qdeezie]

I went on and picked it up......hopefully I'll get a chance to put it in over the weekend. I'll report back on how it works.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: Kuato
I always used Type F for my Ford products, with no shifting problems ever. Had '86 and '93 Crown Vics.
You put Type F in a '93 CV??????



Errr....it's been awhile - now that you mention it I don't recall what it was spec'd for, but be assured I didn't just go out and buy type F automatically.

 

[Colt45ws]

The 93 would have been mercon. Not sure on the 83 as it has been awhile since Ive dug up info on that generation.

 

[Scott88]

Any updates?

 

[qdeezie]

Originally Posted By: Scott88
Any updates?


Not yet. I haven't gotten around to it because I had two jobs on the vehicles of others this past weekend, so extra pocket change comes first most of the time. Hopefully, I can get around to doing it this weekend.

I would like to try Castrol High Mileage in it as well. I've heard some good things about how the E4OD likes it, but I'm going to stick with trying out Maxlife to see what it does.

 

[qdeezie]

Ok, I'm back with an update. I finally put the Maxlife ATF in my truck.

I have to say that so far, I am VERY impressed with the Maxlife. It shifts much, much smoother and the thing that particularly impressed me was how much softer the downshifts were. It is soft to the point to where it made me sort of nervous for the first 2 days. I knew nothing was wrong, but to witness a drastic change like that was strange. Previously, the downshifts were not necessarily rough, but it would make my engine rev up when downshifting and as a result, my engine would rev about 100-150 rpms higher for awhile when at a stop, then go down to the proper rpm. That is no longer the case. My idle rpm point is consistent because the downshift doesn't rev my engine anymore.

Also, my erratic shifts are gone. It was maybe 3 to 4 times a day. I've only had that to occur once about 2 days later, but it wasn't nearly as bad as what I was experiencing and based on previous transmission fluid upgrades, I expect it to go away completely.

 

[Hermann]

Glad the Maxlife worked out. Sound like my experience in the Mariner. Quick to downshift but very smooth. With light throttle application the upshifts sometimes are not even felt. Good Stuff IMO

 

[qdeezie]

I've come back to report on the Maxlife. The shifts have gotten much more smoother and I haven't seen any more jerks or anything of that nature that I was experiencing with the cheap fluids.

The only thing I don't like about the fluid is that it has a rather strong odor.......well to be blunt, it STINKS like differential gear oil and if you mess around and spill some while putting it in, take it on over to a car wash or something with some purple stuff in hand and spray the engine bay out. That's about the only real negative I can give on it.