So I wanna pull the pan and change the filter on my 14 f150 5.0 and replace the fluid now here is the question is it ok to use Valvoline MaxLife ATF that says suitable for or should I just go to the dealer and take one for the team
mercon lv?
- Thread starter robo339
- Start date
- Status
Mercon LV is not an expensive fluid, so I would just use that.
Valvoline MaxLife ATF is certainly a fine LV product (5.9 cSt). I'm not sure how the M/C LV would be any stouter or better suited.
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
Valvoline MaxLife ATF is certainly a fine LV product (5.9 cSt). I'm not sure how the M/C LV would be any stouter or better suited.
+1. People will roll out the same old argument (specific frictional needs of an automatic, so it need a specific fluid), but I've yet to see an explanation on technical/tribological grounds that would invalidate the Valvoline recommendation.
Futhermore, many actual OEM approved/licensed MERCON LV products are also approved/licensed for DEXRON VI.
Valvoline MaxLife ATF is certainly a fine LV product (5.9 cSt). I'm not sure how the M/C LV would be any stouter or better suited.
+1. People will roll out the same old argument (specific frictional needs of an automatic, so it need a specific fluid), but I've yet to see an explanation on technical/tribological grounds that would invalidate the Valvoline recommendation.
Futhermore, many actual OEM approved/licensed MERCON LV products are also approved/licensed for DEXRON VI.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2010
- Messages
- 9,835
Robo - I put right at 160K miles on my 2010 F-150 with a 6R80 transmission and about 45% of those miles was towing 8-9K in temperatures ranging from -15°F to 117°F. I only used Motorocraft Mercon LV and that is what I would recommend that you do. It is relatively inexpensive and totally removes the question of is it compatible or not. Just my thoughts...
in my neck of the woods, the Wal-Mart brand low viscosity multi vehicle fluid carries both ford and gm approvals.
worth looking into as well.
I just can't wrap my head around Valvoline's recommendations that it is compatible with both V and LV. Ford did not make LV backwards compatible ... it bothers me that Valvoline thinks it is.
when Ford got rid of Mercon, in order to make Mercon V fully backwards compatible, they had to change the formula so it played nice with the older clutches designed for Mercon.
for those reasons, I don't support max-life.
worth looking into as well.
I just can't wrap my head around Valvoline's recommendations that it is compatible with both V and LV. Ford did not make LV backwards compatible ... it bothers me that Valvoline thinks it is.
when Ford got rid of Mercon, in order to make Mercon V fully backwards compatible, they had to change the formula so it played nice with the older clutches designed for Mercon.
for those reasons, I don't support max-life.
Just my humble opinion, but Mercon LV is not a "Magic Fluid". I use Maxlife LV in my 2011, just the same as I use Dexcool in the cooling system. Do a little research and read the specifications on each fluid, and make a decision based on that. Mercon LV is for piece of mind, but thousands of people use Maxlife LV without issue!
Valvoline Maxlife will work great.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Max...Gallon/15125768
Havoline also has a good LV fluid in case/quarts at amazon for cheap...
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M1Y3KZA/
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Max...Gallon/15125768
Havoline also has a good LV fluid in case/quarts at amazon for cheap...
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M1Y3KZA/
OEM ATF for Ford Mercon LV: Kendell VersaTrans LV.
use the cheapest licensed Mercon LV while under warranty. Walmart brand synthetic LV ATF is officially licensed Mercon LV.
You do not have to go to the dealer
You do not have to go to the dealer
My stealership is just too [censored] high on everything else I'll check prices but usually I feel violated when I leave a quicklane I hate giving them more of my money and my warranty was dead long time ago so no issue with that
Originally Posted By: meborder
in my neck of the woods, the Wal-Mart brand low viscosity multi vehicle fluid carries both ford and gm approvals.
worth looking into as well.
I just can't wrap my head around Valvoline's recommendations that it is compatible with both V and LV. Ford did not make LV backwards compatible ... it bothers me that Valvoline thinks it is.
when Ford got rid of Mercon, in order to make Mercon V fully backwards compatible, they had to change the formula so it played nice with the older clutches designed for Mercon.
for those reasons, I don't support max-life.
I would agree that Valvoline MaxLife is questionable as being backwards compatible for Mercon V, Dex 3, or any MV ATF. But, it does appear to be exactly right for Dex 6 or LV ATF's...which is what Max Life is. Why wouldn't it be backwards compatible for other LV's? I get the concern for MV/Merc V.
in my neck of the woods, the Wal-Mart brand low viscosity multi vehicle fluid carries both ford and gm approvals.
worth looking into as well.
I just can't wrap my head around Valvoline's recommendations that it is compatible with both V and LV. Ford did not make LV backwards compatible ... it bothers me that Valvoline thinks it is.
when Ford got rid of Mercon, in order to make Mercon V fully backwards compatible, they had to change the formula so it played nice with the older clutches designed for Mercon.
for those reasons, I don't support max-life.
I would agree that Valvoline MaxLife is questionable as being backwards compatible for Mercon V, Dex 3, or any MV ATF. But, it does appear to be exactly right for Dex 6 or LV ATF's...which is what Max Life is. Why wouldn't it be backwards compatible for other LV's? I get the concern for MV/Merc V.
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
Originally Posted By: meborder
I just can't wrap my head around Valvoline's recommendations that it is compatible with both V and LV. Ford did not make LV backwards compatible ... it bothers me that Valvoline thinks it is.
when Ford got rid of Mercon, in order to make Mercon V fully backwards compatible, they had to change the formula so it played nice with the older clutches designed for Mercon.
for those reasons, I don't support max-life.
I agree with you.
Interestingly, Valvoline's Mercon V has a very different additive signature than other Mercon Vs.
Don't know what to make of that.
I just can't wrap my head around Valvoline's recommendations that it is compatible with both V and LV. Ford did not make LV backwards compatible ... it bothers me that Valvoline thinks it is.
when Ford got rid of Mercon, in order to make Mercon V fully backwards compatible, they had to change the formula so it played nice with the older clutches designed for Mercon.
for those reasons, I don't support max-life.
I agree with you.
Interestingly, Valvoline's Mercon V has a very different additive signature than other Mercon Vs.
Don't know what to make of that.
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
I haven't looked at a bottle recently so I don't know what is printed on the back anymore, but on their webpage their product data sheet says it is compatible with meron, mercon V, mercon sp, and mercon LV.
You could convince me that sp and LV are close enough to be dual compatible, but mercon anf mercon V, from what I can tell, are just too different, imo.
Maxlife Product Data Sheet
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
I haven't looked at a bottle recently so I don't know what is printed on the back anymore, but on their webpage their product data sheet says it is compatible with meron, mercon V, mercon sp, and mercon LV.
You could convince me that sp and LV are close enough to be dual compatible, but mercon anf mercon V, from what I can tell, are just too different, imo.
Maxlife Product Data Sheet
Originally Posted By: meborder
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
I haven't looked at a bottle recently so I don't know what is printed on the back anymore, but on their webpage their product data sheet says it is compatible with meron, mercon V, mercon sp, and mercon LV.
You could convince me that sp and LV are close enough to be dual compatible, but mercon anf mercon V, from what I can tell, are just too different, imo.
Maxlife Product Data Sheet
I just did a drain & fill on my 2010 Fusion's 6F35 trans last weekend, and still have the empty jug. Here's what's on the back:
No Mercon V to be seen in the list, nor Mercon SP
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
I haven't looked at a bottle recently so I don't know what is printed on the back anymore, but on their webpage their product data sheet says it is compatible with meron, mercon V, mercon sp, and mercon LV.
You could convince me that sp and LV are close enough to be dual compatible, but mercon anf mercon V, from what I can tell, are just too different, imo.
Maxlife Product Data Sheet
I just did a drain & fill on my 2010 Fusion's 6F35 trans last weekend, and still have the empty jug. Here's what's on the back:
No Mercon V to be seen in the list, nor Mercon SP
I ended up using valvoline I can't find the time to get to ford during work hours but I can say refilling that transmission is a huge pita but I got it done and in the process found out my truck was about a qt low from the factory now that it is filled right it feels alot better knowing it's done right hopefully I don't have to do that again for a long time
Originally Posted By: SirTanon
Originally Posted By: meborder
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
I haven't looked at a bottle recently so I don't know what is printed on the back anymore, but on their webpage their product data sheet says it is compatible with meron, mercon V, mercon sp, and mercon LV.
You could convince me that sp and LV are close enough to be dual compatible, but mercon anf mercon V, from what I can tell, are just too different, imo.
Maxlife Product Data Sheet
I just did a drain & fill on my 2010 Fusion's 6F35 trans last weekend, and still have the empty jug. Here's what's on the back:
No Mercon V to be seen in the list, nor Mercon SP
Likely has something to do with the California hub-bub. Their PD sheet inline does recommend different fluids for mercon V ECT in California. Makes sense to remove it from the label so that they don't have to have different "California only" labels.
Originally Posted By: meborder
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
At Walmart today I was reading a Max Life label. Nothing on there at all about being suitable for Mercon V. That would make me wonder how its ok for Mercon and Dex 3? However, it is listed as suitable for Mercon LV.
Valvoline Maz Life bottle
I haven't looked at a bottle recently so I don't know what is printed on the back anymore, but on their webpage their product data sheet says it is compatible with meron, mercon V, mercon sp, and mercon LV.
You could convince me that sp and LV are close enough to be dual compatible, but mercon anf mercon V, from what I can tell, are just too different, imo.
Maxlife Product Data Sheet
I just did a drain & fill on my 2010 Fusion's 6F35 trans last weekend, and still have the empty jug. Here's what's on the back:
No Mercon V to be seen in the list, nor Mercon SP
Likely has something to do with the California hub-bub. Their PD sheet inline does recommend different fluids for mercon V ECT in California. Makes sense to remove it from the label so that they don't have to have different "California only" labels.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked