Motorcraft MERCON LV vs Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF

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Motorcraft MERCON LV vs Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF

Motorcraft MERCON LV is getting harder to find in my area and it is more expensive.

I am wondering has the been any direct comparisons done between these two brands?
 
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Although Maxlife isn't licensed, many parts store transmission fluids are licensed Mercon LV, including:
Castrol Full Synthetic
Pennzoil Platinum LV
Mag 1 LV
Supertech Full Synthetic Multi (Walmart brand)
Various house brand synthetic ATF options

As long as it is officially licensed, it will be fine. They carry formal approval from Ford
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I think many have used Maxlife in Mercon LV applications without issues but if you want to use a Ford approved Mercon LV replacement...
Castrol Transmax Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF is such a product whereas Maxlife is "Recommended For Use In"....I also see the Pennzoil LV has a Mercon LV license....it's currently ON SALE at NAPA for $5.79 a quart....
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
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Although Maxlife isn't licensed, many parts store transmission fluids are licensed Mercon LV, including:
Castrol Full Synthetic
Pennzoil Platinum LV
Mag 1 LV
Supertech Full Synthetic Multi (Walmart brand)
Various house brand synthetic ATF options

As long as it is officially licensed, it will be fine. They carry formal approval from Ford
smile.gif


Mag 1 is a good choice, and if you watch for when Zoro has a deal or online code, it can be a pretty good deal. Regular price is $4.49/quart.
 
Originally Posted by Digital_Dad
Motorcraft MERCON LV vs Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF

Motorcraft MERCON LV is getting harder to find in my area and it is more expensive.

I am wondering has the been any direct comparisons done between these two brands?

Direct comparisons how? Valvoline states the product is suitable for use where MERCON LV is specified.

I can tell you I've been using Maxlife in my son-in-law's Fusion for three years now and it works fine as well as I can tell.
 
I have been using Max Life in many different transmissions for about 10 years now. It works great and even better than some of the original fluids.
 
Originally Posted by bullwinkle
Mag 1 is a good choice, and if you watch for when Zoro has a deal or online code, it can be a pretty good deal. Regular price is $4.49/quart.

There are none as far south as me, let alone you, but Family Farm & Home (similar to TSC, Rural King, etc) has Mag1 LV ATF for around that price every day it seems.

Federated Auto Parts uses Warren (i.e. MAG1) as their blender for their store-brand ATF too.
 
Originally Posted by walterjay
I have been using Max Life in many different transmissions for about 10 years now. It works great and even better than some of the original fluids.


I agree
 
I had a local dealer flush my Escape trans with Motorcraft LV. They used 15 quarts as they waited till clean fluid came out. Well worth the $214 they charged me.
 
Originally Posted by dave1251
Originally Posted by walterjay
I have been using Max Life in many different transmissions for about 10 years now. It works great and even better than some of the original fluids.


I agree

I need to add MAXLIFE reaches the same operation temperature as DEXRON VI in my 6L80E up to 226F driving stop and go in the Phoenix area but will cool to 190F within 15 minutes on the freeway driving 75-80MPH and will cool below this driving 70MPH. This is faster than DEXRON VI. But it's not a direct comparison because the DEXRON VI had a lot more contamination due to break in.
 
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