I have a 2000 Ford F150 4x2 XL,4.6 V8,auto transmission. It currently has 93k miles on it. I bought this truck used,and I now want to service the transmission. I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
Transmission fluid question?
- Thread starter DR1
- Start date
- Status
That's just stupid. There is no basis for that at all.
Mercon V, the original fill, is semi-synthetic. Going to Full Synthetic is supposed to blow the thing? Makes no sense at all.
Mercon V, the original fill, is semi-synthetic. Going to Full Synthetic is supposed to blow the thing? Makes no sense at all.
Never heard that
If you are just doing a pan drop, about 4 or 5 quarts.
I'd buy a case though. See if you have a Motorcraft/AC Delco/Mopar distributor in your area...these places sell things like fluids/batteries/common parts and maintenance parts to dealers and other businesses in cities, but many also sell to the public. You might be able to get fresh Motorcraft Mercon V quarts for less than you could get licensed Mercon V at a regular parts store. An example here is Southern Distributors/Auto Electric & Carburetor, not sure what similar companies are in FL.
If you are doing a cooler line flush or something, you may wind up needing more than a case.
I'd buy a case though. See if you have a Motorcraft/AC Delco/Mopar distributor in your area...these places sell things like fluids/batteries/common parts and maintenance parts to dealers and other businesses in cities, but many also sell to the public. You might be able to get fresh Motorcraft Mercon V quarts for less than you could get licensed Mercon V at a regular parts store. An example here is Southern Distributors/Auto Electric & Carburetor, not sure what similar companies are in FL.
If you are doing a cooler line flush or something, you may wind up needing more than a case.
Originally Posted By: lawnguy
How many qts do i need to buy?
You should be able to google that and get a number quick. My 2002 4.6L is an automatic transaxle and takes 13.7 qts. If you're going to flush all the old fluid out by running the car with the cooler return line disconnected you might need up to 15-16 qts. For just dropping the pan you might get by with 4-6 qts. Walmart sells their SuperTech Mercon V (approved by Ford) for under $4.97/qt.
How many qts do i need to buy?
You should be able to google that and get a number quick. My 2002 4.6L is an automatic transaxle and takes 13.7 qts. If you're going to flush all the old fluid out by running the car with the cooler return line disconnected you might need up to 15-16 qts. For just dropping the pan you might get by with 4-6 qts. Walmart sells their SuperTech Mercon V (approved by Ford) for under $4.97/qt.
Look on the Amsoil website for you vehicle. It will show pan and total capacity. If you do not know the maint history, you need to replace the filter when servicing the transmission, assuming it had one. A Magnefine inline filter is always a good addition.
I think the answer to your question should be turned into an answer to your adviser such as, "[censored] are you talking about".
Automatic transmissions are a bit complicated and really expensive to fix or replace so using the very best transmission fluid you can find, and that means synthetic, is a very good idea.
Automatic transmissions are a bit complicated and really expensive to fix or replace so using the very best transmission fluid you can find, and that means synthetic, is a very good idea.
Valvoline Maxlife ATF (red bottle) is synthetic blend and highly regarded ATF on this site. Wal-Mart has it in quarts and gallons .
YouTube will have videos on how to service the Ford.
You have been told an old wives tale.
Use a Motorcraft or WIX filter. If a gasket isn't included, a Victor Reinz gasket is good.
YouTube will have videos on how to service the Ford.
You have been told an old wives tale.
Use a Motorcraft or WIX filter. If a gasket isn't included, a Victor Reinz gasket is good.
Originally Posted By: Islandvic
Valvoline Maxlife ATF (red bottle) is synthetic blend.
Wrong. It's actually full synthetic
Valvoline Maxlife ATF (red bottle) is synthetic blend.
Wrong. It's actually full synthetic
your transmission should be a 4r75w. there should be a drainplug for the torque converter.
I had stopped by see visit with my local mechanic. He rec that I drop the pan,and also replace the trans filter. I was asking him about the BG trans flush,and he rec not doing it that way.I just want to buy all the fluid,and filter,etc ,and then let him do the trans service for me.
Originally Posted By: lawnguy
I have a 2000 Ford F150 4x2 XL,4.6 V8,auto transmission. It currently has 93k miles on it. I bought this truck used,and I now want to service the transmission. I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
Originally Posted By: lawnguy
I have a 2000 Ford F150 4x2 XL,4.6 V8,auto transmission. It currently has 93k miles on it. I bought this truck used,and I now want to service the transmission. I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
At that mileage, I wouldn't hesitate to do a fluid exchange with what ever fluid trips your fancy.
My last 4 or 5 4r70 series transmissions have all gotten flushed at that approx. Mileage.
Check Amsoil OE fluid for price and availability. If you have a dealer local you can probably get it at a fair price. I paid $50 for 2gallons, which is really god considering the price of Mobil 1 on the shelf locally.
You can't go wrong with the supertech Mercon V at WalMart either.
Pick one and go for it. Do it and don't look back.
My last 4 or 5 4r70 series transmissions have all gotten flushed at that approx. Mileage.
Check Amsoil OE fluid for price and availability. If you have a dealer local you can probably get it at a fair price. I paid $50 for 2gallons, which is really god considering the price of Mobil 1 on the shelf locally.
You can't go wrong with the supertech Mercon V at WalMart either.
Pick one and go for it. Do it and don't look back.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: lawnguy
I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
No, it is not. Whoever told you that is grossly misinformed.
Your 2000 F150 should have a 4R70W that will take 4 quarts if you change the filter as well.
Originally Posted By: meborder
You can't go wrong with the supertech Mercon V at WalMart either.
Second that...
I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
No, it is not. Whoever told you that is grossly misinformed.
Your 2000 F150 should have a 4R70W that will take 4 quarts if you change the filter as well.
Originally Posted By: meborder
You can't go wrong with the supertech Mercon V at WalMart either.
Second that...
Only 4 qts total? I thought I would have to buy like 14 qts for everything?
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: lawnguy
I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
No, it is not. Whoever told you that is grossly misinformed.
Your 2000 F150 should have a 4R70W that will take 4 quarts if you change the filter as well.
Originally Posted By: meborder
You can't go wrong with the supertech Mercon V at WalMart either.
Second that...
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: lawnguy
I was told that I should not use synthetic transmission fluid in my truck if the previous owner always used regular transmission fluid ,and not synthetic. I was told by using synthetic it would not be good for my trans. Is this true?
No, it is not. Whoever told you that is grossly misinformed.
Your 2000 F150 should have a 4R70W that will take 4 quarts if you change the filter as well.
Originally Posted By: meborder
You can't go wrong with the supertech Mercon V at WalMart either.
Second that...
14 quarts is the total capacity. The pan alone is about 4qts.
If you are going to do a full exchange id get an extra gallon to make sure you have a full exchange and have some for top off at the end of the job.
Also, I wouldn't worry about the filter. It is most just a rock catcher. If the filter is plugged, it is because the trans has failed and needs to be rebuilt.
My Las 4r70w went down the road with 175k on the original filter. It's ok to change it, but don't go to extra work to do it.
If you are going to do a full exchange id get an extra gallon to make sure you have a full exchange and have some for top off at the end of the job.
Also, I wouldn't worry about the filter. It is most just a rock catcher. If the filter is plugged, it is because the trans has failed and needs to be rebuilt.
My Las 4r70w went down the road with 175k on the original filter. It's ok to change it, but don't go to extra work to do it.
Last edited:
Hello, No biggie here. Friend has a '97 F-150 and son of friend has an '04 Explorer. Both vehicles had been purchased used in 2014 with unknown service histories.
The F-150's fluid was superseded to MerconV. The Explorer had MerconV as FF.
We dropped the pans, changed the filters, removed the TC plug in the F-150 and refilled.
In both cases the fluid wasn't at all bad. It wasn't new.
I doubt either guy will touch their transmissions ever again.
Neither vehicle exhibited an improvement in operation.
They acted annoyed with my spearheading of this necessary maintenance.
HECK, I even found the MerconV on huge sale for them.
I will never learn. Kira
The F-150's fluid was superseded to MerconV. The Explorer had MerconV as FF.
We dropped the pans, changed the filters, removed the TC plug in the F-150 and refilled.
In both cases the fluid wasn't at all bad. It wasn't new.
I doubt either guy will touch their transmissions ever again.
Neither vehicle exhibited an improvement in operation.
They acted annoyed with my spearheading of this necessary maintenance.
HECK, I even found the MerconV on huge sale for them.
I will never learn. Kira
- Status
Similar threads
