oil for the villager

[digitaldrifter91]

well i been putting in Valvoline Dexron 3/mercon fluid in this villager, been swapping it out every 10-25k just cause it starts shifting slightly harder. even though its cheaper in the end its not =).

i was thinking of going up in the lines. something decent but isnt going to kill my wallet. i tried penz before but it seemed to shift too hard.

the car has 110k on it right now, transmission fluid does not smell burnt or anything...just want some life and smoothness out of it. before i went through a wash with auto rx and that helped...

1999 villager.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Dexron-VI if you're on a budget, but Amsoil ATF if money isn't a problem.

Are you doing full flushes or just pan drops?

 

[unDummy]

Use a Mercon-V. Should improve the shift without breaking the bnak. ANY universal or multivehicle ATF should work well too.
DexronVI is also an option. But, at that price, step up to M1 or RP ATF.

 

[artificialist]

Valvoline Full Synthetic Mercon V is not expensive.

 

[dnewton3]

I have a '95 Villager that my wife drives. It exhibits a similar tendency for a firmness on the 1-2 shift. I've noticed this regardless of how new/old the fluid is, and regardless of what brand transmission oil I use.

I follow the 30k mile OCI for the fluid; typically just using the store brand DEX/Mercon stuff. I had some AAP D/M in it recently, and had a used oil analysis done by Blackstone. Everything came back fine with no problems. The only thing that was "slightly" out of spec was the flashpoint was a little low, but only by a few points, and that was after 25k miles.

The reason I mention this is that the 1-2 shift seems firm in every Villager/Quest I've been in, but the others are a bit softer. It might just be the trait you're experiencing, and not a fluid issue.

 

[digitaldrifter91]

everytime i gun it and let off the gas fast it has a jerk like the car just came to a sudden stop...

i just want something better than Valvoline...

i thought it was a nono to go with a higher mercon than what they tell me?

or should i just hit up some motorcraft?

 

[dnewton3]

You might want to consider some ARX for your trans. Look in the additives section. If you have some varnish/sticking valves in the valve body, the ARX should clean these up quite well. I'm using it right now in my transmission, just as a preventative measure.

As far as the transmission fluid selection, I've been having great success with just store brand DEX/Merc stuff.

 

[wiswind]

I just looked it up.
FORD TSB # 06-14-4 includes 1993-2002 Villager in the list.
This TSB says that Mercon V is the replacement for Mercon.
This supersedes earlier TSB's that said not to.