Gentlemen,
I recently came across this website, and registered today. 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
I recently came across this website, and registered today. 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