The car is an '07 Ford Focus with 2.0 engine. I would like to change the auto transmission fluid by pumping out 2 or 3 quarts through the fill pipe and repeating the same procedure maybe 3 times to get the fluid changed. The trans takes Mercon V fluid and my choices seem to be from Ford, Valvoline and Castrol. I'm leaning toward either Valvoline or Castrol as they are more reasonably priced. The car is not driven hard and the trans does not have any problems now. Which fluid do you guys recommend?
Which fluid should I use?
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I advise against the Valvoline offering. Valvoline did not want to pay Ford's licensing fee, so they cannot legally call it Mercon V. Notice that they call it "ATF for Mercon V Applications". If it's not officially licensed by Ford, I'm leery of it.
Note that Walmart's house brand SuperTech IS licensed by Ford and I have been using that for a number of years without issue.
Note that Walmart's house brand SuperTech IS licensed by Ford and I have been using that for a number of years without issue.
You also have Amsoil and Redline. I have used both with success in different vehicles. Not knocking the brands you mentioned - I really like Valvoline - but do a little more research and include Amsoil and Redline.
Both are full synthetic oils from solid companies that should give you great performance.
If syn doesn't interest you, I would go with Valvoline.
Forgot the "licensed by Ford" bit. Valvoline wins if you absolutely have to be licensed by Ford.
Both are full synthetic oils from solid companies that should give you great performance.
If syn doesn't interest you, I would go with Valvoline.
Forgot the "licensed by Ford" bit. Valvoline wins if you absolutely have to be licensed by Ford.
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Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
I advise against the Valvoline offering. Valvoline did not want to pay Ford's licensing fee, so they cannot legally call it Mercon V. Notice that they call it "ATF for Mercon V Applications". If it's not officially licensed by Ford, I'm leery of it.
Note that Walmart's house brand SuperTech IS licensed by Ford and I have been using that for a number of years without issue.
I agree with you that a licenced product is the way to go.
I advise against the Valvoline offering. Valvoline did not want to pay Ford's licensing fee, so they cannot legally call it Mercon V. Notice that they call it "ATF for Mercon V Applications". If it's not officially licensed by Ford, I'm leery of it.
Note that Walmart's house brand SuperTech IS licensed by Ford and I have been using that for a number of years without issue.
I agree with you that a licenced product is the way to go.
I would use the Supertech or Castrol depending on your local prices. Supertech should be $4.27/quart.
I have used SuperTech many times in the past with great results.
Castrol is on sale at AAP and Carquest for only $4/qt.
Maxlife has a great reputation as well.
Maxlife has a great reputation as well.
Motorcraft from the dealer.. That is what i always used. Hope they still have mercon 5
I have an '07 Focus shop manual, the procedure to fully change fluid is disconnect the cooler return line, it has a disconnect coupler, and add a bit of extra hose to make life easy. Then start the engine let it idle for around a minute to pump out a measured 3 quarts/liters(into a marked container) add 3 qt, repeat thrice to a total of 9-10 qt. Do not operate above idle rpm, probably best to work with a warmed up engine. The recommended fluid in "Mercon V".
The return line method has always been the most effective as it results in the least dilution of new fluid with old. I used this method with my old '79 Malibu 350/350 (highschool/first car), the change from old slightly dark fluid to new color comming from the return line was very sudden. It went from barely shifting when cold to like new shifting. (it had a lot of hard miles on it when i got it).
The Ford manual recommendation is 30k miles for all Torqshift transmissions, 60k for CVT trans, and 150K for all others under "normal" driving --otherwise they recommend 30k if you do anything other than nice 50mph open flatland traveling with no cargo or roof rack, in mild spring weather, with a tailwind, while on a diet...
Darkness is caused by scorching or friction dust, however the friction additives breakdown even without significant darkening.
I have noticed Ford has had a tendency over the last few decades to make maintenance recommendations that seem designed to limit the life of the vehicle. Such that everything is worn out just after warranty. eg don't change the brake fluid, don't change the transmission fluid, deemphasize coolant changes, etc. Corrosion kicks in and the next owner needs to replace major parts or send it to the wrecker as the block rusts through, and the wrecker can't even sell remaining parts because of the same issues.
I bought my [used] '07 Focus SE(the mid model) because it was dirt cheap and I had to commute to college during winter. (350cc motorcycle for summer) But it is a rattle trap with poor power, poor fuel economy(for its size), poor handling, flimsy feeling controls, vibration, and a weakas horn sounds like a sick donkey. My girl's '02 Camry SE is noticably superior in every aspect, even maint., with one exception that I can put a bicycle in my hatchback.
The return line method has always been the most effective as it results in the least dilution of new fluid with old. I used this method with my old '79 Malibu 350/350 (highschool/first car), the change from old slightly dark fluid to new color comming from the return line was very sudden. It went from barely shifting when cold to like new shifting. (it had a lot of hard miles on it when i got it).
The Ford manual recommendation is 30k miles for all Torqshift transmissions, 60k for CVT trans, and 150K for all others under "normal" driving --otherwise they recommend 30k if you do anything other than nice 50mph open flatland traveling with no cargo or roof rack, in mild spring weather, with a tailwind, while on a diet...
Darkness is caused by scorching or friction dust, however the friction additives breakdown even without significant darkening.
I have noticed Ford has had a tendency over the last few decades to make maintenance recommendations that seem designed to limit the life of the vehicle. Such that everything is worn out just after warranty. eg don't change the brake fluid, don't change the transmission fluid, deemphasize coolant changes, etc. Corrosion kicks in and the next owner needs to replace major parts or send it to the wrecker as the block rusts through, and the wrecker can't even sell remaining parts because of the same issues.
I bought my [used] '07 Focus SE(the mid model) because it was dirt cheap and I had to commute to college during winter. (350cc motorcycle for summer) But it is a rattle trap with poor power, poor fuel economy(for its size), poor handling, flimsy feeling controls, vibration, and a weakas horn sounds like a sick donkey. My girl's '02 Camry SE is noticably superior in every aspect, even maint., with one exception that I can put a bicycle in my hatchback.
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Originally Posted by Mar57
The car is an '07 Ford Focus with 2.0 engine. I would like to change the auto transmission fluid by pumping out 2 or 3 quarts through the fill pipe and repeating the same procedure maybe 3 times to get the fluid changed. The trans takes Mercon V fluid and my choices seem to be from Ford, Valvoline and Castrol. I'm leaning toward either Valvoline or Castrol as they are more reasonably priced. The car is not driven hard and the trans does not have any problems now. Which fluid do you guys recommend?
I have a 2010 I did three drain and fills with Valvoline Maxlife ATF. It get around 2.4 quarts of ATF each drain and fill.
The car is an '07 Ford Focus with 2.0 engine. I would like to change the auto transmission fluid by pumping out 2 or 3 quarts through the fill pipe and repeating the same procedure maybe 3 times to get the fluid changed. The trans takes Mercon V fluid and my choices seem to be from Ford, Valvoline and Castrol. I'm leaning toward either Valvoline or Castrol as they are more reasonably priced. The car is not driven hard and the trans does not have any problems now. Which fluid do you guys recommend?
I have a 2010 I did three drain and fills with Valvoline Maxlife ATF. It get around 2.4 quarts of ATF each drain and fill.
Castrol Full Synthetic ATF is a great choice
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Castrol is on sale at AAP and Carquest for only $4/qt.
Maxlife has a great reputation as well.
Not typically a Castrol supporter but I built a huge stash when it looked like they were clearing out Castrol MV Synthetic …
Have now run it several rounds in 4L60e and both a GM and Ford FWD …
Early on I found it did not appear to have the oxidation problem in the Cruze …
One of the few MV's that actually did due diligence for approvals …
I'm down to 8 or 10 bottles … but the Cruze and Fusion only take a gallon …
Castrol is on sale at AAP and Carquest for only $4/qt.
Maxlife has a great reputation as well.
Not typically a Castrol supporter but I built a huge stash when it looked like they were clearing out Castrol MV Synthetic …
Have now run it several rounds in 4L60e and both a GM and Ford FWD …
Early on I found it did not appear to have the oxidation problem in the Cruze …
One of the few MV's that actually did due diligence for approvals …
I'm down to 8 or 10 bottles … but the Cruze and Fusion only take a gallon …
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