Modern Automatic Transmission Fluid - Need Help!

[J_D]

Gentlemen,

I have just come across this website and registered. I desperately need some scientifically based objective advice selecting an automatic transmission fluid. I did not find anything in a search to answer my general questions, and apologize if I overlooked any related threads.

I have a Ford F250 with an E40D automatic transmission. It has 100,000 miles on the odometer. The transmission capacity is 18 quarts in a full ATF fluid change. I use this truck predominantly for heavy hauling or towing, mostly in mountainous high altitudes. The E40D transmission apparently has a reputation for failing, especially the older models such as this one. If I can keep it on the road longer than is typical using a better fluid, that would be a big victory. Good replacement transmissions cost around $5000.

Ford originally called for Mercon to be used in this transmission. Ford stopped licensing Mercon specification, replacing it with the Mercon V specification, for use in all previous Mercon specified applications several years ago. Mercon V is about $6 per quart.

I would like to use something even better than the Ford Mercon V specification if it is likely to help and if it's not too costly. Amsoil "Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid" and Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF both claim to be as good or better than Mercon V. Both are around $9 per quart. So my cost will be about $54 more for 18 quarts of either of these synthetics, compared to Mercon V. That seems justified if they are truly better ATF fluids.

My local Ford dealer and parts suppliers don't seem knowledgeable or convincing about any of this - they seem to have mostly hearsay and opinions. Can somebody with technical knowledge of either of these particular "synthetic" ATF fluids please weigh in on this decision?

Thanks,

Jan

 

[tinmanSC]

I don't have any data about these, I just wanted to say:

 

[eljefino]

Mercron V is very, very good. I'd wait for a sale on it and grab it. If you have Advance autos near you, you can get 40% off with online coupons.

 

[hounddog]

Amsoil makes some fine products. www.amsoil.com Become a preferred customer for a price break.

 

[Artem]

I prefer to use synthetic tranny juice or even semi-synth vs dinosaur juice. It performs better and lasts longer.

I have Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluid in my 98 Camry V6 that is still going strong after a good 109k now. Shifts smooth as butter (car has 209k on it) and is still pretty pink on the dipstick. I highly recommend it.

Since i became an Amsoil PC, i now use mostly Amsoil products and have their tranny juice in my 2007 Civic EX auto and it started shifting much smoother with the synthetic lube when i changed out the factory oil @ 60k miles. Car now has 118k and its still shifting great! I plan to run it a little longer and change it again just to keep things fresh.

I recommend you do a REALLY good flush to get as much old fluid out as possible. Having it drain outta the radiator / tranny cooler return line while you feed fresh fluid into the filler hole, while the truck idles works best.

You can also drain / fill 3 or 4 times to get the ratio of old-new fluid as close to 100% new as possible.

 

[Pablo]

With PC and buying gallons, price for Amsoil will be a bit less.

Amsoil ATF link

I doubt you will find any detailed unbiased shootout of ATF's, let alone Mercon.

As the original AT could use Mercon, another Amsoil alternative is Amsoil ATD: Amsoil ATD link Unfortunately it's a bit more costly than ATF.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Neighbor has an F-250 with E4OD and pulls a large horse trailer. About a year ago he was pulling in the mountains and had a transmission problem..was told by his mechanic later that his fluid had "begun to boil" (or perhaps foam?) and that he should use a synthetic fluid such as Amsoil to prevent it from happening again. So he was asking me about where to get it and so on. After he had the fluid changed/flushed, he said it has never acted up again (so far), even with long, hot mountain towing. He previously used Mercon V, changed every 50k miles. Along with Amsoil, let me mention Royal Purple, Redline, and Schaeffer ATF's. All would be an upgrade to Mercon V. If you do decide to use Mobil 1 ATF (a good choice), at least try to get a better price by buying it online at Advance Auto Parts using a 40% off coupon code, then picking it up at a store. One store may not have enough to sell you 18 or 20 qts, so you may have to specify 2 or more different stores to pick up at on your shopping cart. Then you can get the M1 for about $6/qt with tax. That's what I would do.

 

[umungus1122]

As you use the truck for towing, I'd suggest an additional trans cooler if you're not so equipped already. Have you looked into Redline atf?

 

[bmwtechguy]

Yes, by all means, if this truck does not already have an aux cooler for the ATF, add a good size one and an inline filter such as a Magnefine while you're at it. This will help the transmission AND the fluid to last longer.

 

[229]

Mercon5 and change it every 2yrs/30K miles. Auxillary cooler and temperature monitoring. Be patient towing up mountains as heat is the largest enemy to the tranny.
Jesse-ASE Master Technician

 

[EricF]

Mercon V would be a great upgrade, however you can still get Mercon/Dexron, it's not labeled as such but it does exist.

Also the external oil cooler.. HUGE plus.

I'd also put a bottle of Lubegard Red in as well.
Also would consider synthetic oils, mobil, redline or amsoil would be perfect.

 

[J_D]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the advice! I will replace my current ATF cooler with a larger model. Unfortunately there are no Advance Auto Parts stores out here around the Lake Tahoe/Carson Valley area. Looks like they have great deals on M1 products. I have not found it any less than $9.09 per qt in my region. About $176 with tax for this ATF change. I've drained the TC which in combination with the pan makes up at least a 95% fluid change. No flushing at this price for fluid! Read lots of warnings about the various flushing procedures too.

Thanks Again,

Jan

 

[AzFireGuy79]

In order to get the most fluid out, you will want to perform a cooler line fluid "exchange". There is no way this will harm your transmission. "Flushes", which utilize chemicals to "flush" out the entire system of leftover wear materials, is what has caused many problems. This procedure has been confused with a simple fluid exchange that you can perform by removing a cooler line and flushing old atf into a bucket until the entire system capacity is replaced. Amsoil has a PDF on their site detailing this procedure. If it were mine, I would choose either Redline or Amsoil ATF. Both top notch synthetic ATF's! Good luck.

 

[fiddler2068]

Originally Posted By: J_D
Gentlemen,

I have just come across this website and registered. I desperately need some scientifically based objective advice selecting an automatic transmission fluid. I did not find anything in a search to answer my general questions, and apologize if I overlooked any related threads.

I have a Ford F250 with an E40D automatic transmission. It has 100,000 miles on the odometer. The transmission capacity is 18 quarts in a full ATF fluid change. I use this truck predominantly for heavy hauling or towing, mostly in mountainous high altitudes. The E40D transmission apparently has a reputation for failing, especially the older models such as this one. If I can keep it on the road longer than is typical using a better fluid, that would be a big victory. Good replacement transmissions cost around $5000.

Ford originally called for Mercon to be used in this transmission. Ford stopped licensing Mercon specification, replacing it with the Mercon V specification, for use in all previous Mercon specified applications several years ago. Mercon V is about $6 per quart.

I would like to use something even better than the Ford Mercon V specification if it is likely to help and if it's not too costly. Amsoil "Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid" and Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF both claim to be as good or better than Mercon V. Both are around $9 per quart. So my cost will be about $54 more for 18 quarts of either of these synthetics, compared to Mercon V. That seems justified if they are truly better ATF fluids.

My local Ford dealer and parts suppliers don't seem knowledgeable or convincing about any of this - they seem to have mostly hearsay and opinions. Can somebody with technical knowledge of either of these particular "synthetic" ATF fluids please weigh in on this decision?

Thanks,

Jan


Not familiar with old Ford F250's, the second most important thing for towing regarding ATF is do you have a ATF cooler? It will keep your ATF viable for longer duration.

fiddler