I'm going to be servicing a 2006 6.0 Powerstroke trans soon. Is Maxlife ok to use for a few spill and fills?
Is maxlife a suitable substitute for Ford Mercon SP?
- Thread starter TurboTravis
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I've got the same transmission in the BMW and my mechanic said to stick to OEM fluids for this - even though maxlife says it's compatible on the bottle.
Mercon SP is already cheaper than ZF LifeGuard 6 so I would personally not take the chance
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=611298&cc=0&pt=11387&jsn=4
Mercon SP is already cheaper than ZF LifeGuard 6 so I would personally not take the chance
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=611298&cc=0&pt=11387&jsn=4
And which ATF are you using in your BMW per your signature...?
All kidding aside....after reading through volumes of ATF blurbs trying to reconcile the differences among T-IV, 3309 et. al. and seeing loads of notices stating that Mercon SP was indeed "SPecial", I'd skip the research and just buy the SP.
And as an answer to your post title, yes Maxlife is a suitable substitute per their PDS.
Another alternative that's been discussed lately is Valvoline Extended Protection ATF which is also suitable for Mercon SP applications.
Another alternative that's been discussed lately is Valvoline Extended Protection ATF which is also suitable for Mercon SP applications.
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+1 for Valvoline Extended Protection ATF. It has a higher quality additive package than MaxLife. That doesn't mean that MaxLife is a bad product by any means.
This is a good deal:
I'll give you my two cents: since it's a 2006, and the transmission sits behind a torque Diesel engine, I would go with Castrol TranSynd 668. I've used it in two ZF 8HP transmissions and two 6-speed Hyundai transmissions with great results. TES 668 fluids are formulated with better materials because they are commercial grade fluids. If it was my truck, I would use a TES 668 fluids. The Castrol TranSynd 668 is the easiest to find. Most NAPA stores have it on the shelves or they can get it for you the same or next they. Amazon sells a 3-gallon box for $135.
This is always a debate. I fall in the camp that SP was superceded by LV, but others swear SP is a special animal unto itself.
@bdcardinal what does your service dept do on apps that would have initially been SP? Do you even carry it? I've been told most Ford dealers don't stock or use SP, but that's anecdotal
@bdcardinal what does your service dept do on apps that would have initially been SP? Do you even carry it? I've been told most Ford dealers don't stock or use SP, but that's anecdotal
HPL but I wasn't going to recommend it since OP is looking for better availability and pricing than Mercon SP.
My mechanic threw a bit of a fit when I presented it to him. He strongly recommended against but I trust David from HPL.
David's opinion ≠ Valvoline's opinion in my mind
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It's available from Motorcraft: https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us.../mercon-sp-automatic-transmission-fluids.html
It's not hard to make, because the additive package used in Valvoline EP ATF, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP, and all TES 668 fluids, including Castrol Transynd 668, is the same, and covers Mercon SP. The only difference is base oil mix and viscosity.
Given the Mercon SP specs, Valvoline EP ATF will cover it just fine. So will Valvoline MaxLife, however, I would opt for EP, as it's the better fluid.
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The good thing is that the OP has several good options to choose from.
if you really care you can buy it as lifeguard6 for the foreseeable future
I could be misremembering but I think the only transmission that didn't get re-spec'ed to something else by Ford was the 6R75 (which preceded the 6R80).
pennzoil LV is LICENSED by Ford. And it’s considerably cheaper than Valvoline.
Home Depot has it for $6.67 per quart but it’s clearanced at my store for $5.00 per quart.
Home Depot has it for $6.67 per quart but it’s clearanced at my store for $5.00 per quart.
