looking for good cold flow ATF choices (Mercon V)

[badtlc]

I want to try something different with my escape. It has had a steady diet of Supertech Mercon V via drain-and-fill (~4 qts each time). Still shifts and runs like new with 150k miles on it but the supertech ATF definitely is thick when temps get below 40F or so.

What are the options for Mercon V applications that have good low temperature flow rates? We can see as cold as -5F where I live.

Thanks.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife is good ATF even though Walmart doesn't seem to have it anymore. But Autozone has a decent price on it.

Castrol also makes good ATF's.

 

[JC1]

+1 on the Maxlife.

 

[JamesBond]

Castrol Import Multi Vehicle has a lower viscosity at -40c and a higher viscosity at 100c than their regular dex/merc, and is available at Walmart at a decent price.

 

[MolaKule]

Look for oils that have:

1) Viscosity to match your traany spec,

2) Lowest Brookfield Viscosity value.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Look for oils that have:

1) Viscosity to match your traany spec,

2) Lowest Brookfield Viscosity value.


as for #2, these are what I have found so far that I'm interested in buying:

- Mag1 synthetic ATF = 10,300

- Mobil 1 = 10,040

- Valvoline Mercon V = 10,000

Looks like Valvoline is the cheapest I can find out there at just over $6/qt. I really want to try Mobil 1 as I thought it would have the best base but maybe that isn't true here.

I just noticed that Valvoline doesn't publish the pour point. I may rule that one out. Mobil 1 and Mag1 are both -51C pour points, too. Only thing I have found better so far is Redline D4 which is pricey.

 

[badtlc]

Mola, does the combination of pour point, viscosity index and brookfield tell you anything about basestock in these types of fluids?

 

[tig1]

M1 ATF performs very well in all temps. I have used this ATF for 25 years and to date have not had a trans or PS pump fail with M1 ATF.

 

[khittner]

You're in Kansas City, not Prudhoe Bay; any of those ATFs will be fine in your coldest weather.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: tig1
M1 ATF performs very well in all temps. I have used this ATF for 25 years and to date have not had a trans or PS pump fail with M1 ATF.


I agree with Tig1 here.
Mobil 1 ATF is only a couple (or 3) dollars a quart more than Maxlife and Castrol IMV at AZ and I think it would suit your needs well. I am a big fan of Maxlife and have used it successfully in my Elantra and Corolla but I thought it to be too thin in my old Escort ZX-2 (the hard 1-2 shift when cold seemed exacerbated by the Maxlife....or at least it improved a bit when I went to Mercon V and a 1/2 container of Lucas Trans fix...the heavy stuff...).

PS: The extra cost of the M1 is offset by the longer service life....I used to run it 60K in my Buick Century which shifted like new when I sold it at 130K...

 

[Donald]

Amsoil is my first choice for ATF and gear oil.

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
Mola, does the combination of pour point, viscosity index and brookfield tell you anything about basestock in these types of fluids?


Not necessarily, because VII's and PPD's.

Most quality ATF's these days are a combination of Group III, IV, and V base oils.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Originally Posted By: badtlc
Mola, does the combination of pour point, viscosity index and brookfield tell you anything about basestock in these types of fluids?


Not necessarily, because VII's and PPD's.

Most quality ATF's these days are a combination of Group III, IV, and V base oils.


So would you have any guesses why two fluids with similar viscosity, pour point and brookfield would have noticeably different viscosity index?

 

[Whitewolf]

Take a look at DEXRON-HP.

 

[nascarnation]

Does Petro Canada make a Mercon spec?
Their stuff was always excellent at low temp performance.