Recommendations for atf fluid in '02 Focus ZX5.

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D Hill

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Aug 10, 2003
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West Orange, NJ
Evening folks,

My wife drives an '02 Focus ZX5. It has 162k. Purchased it 7 years ago with 80k. I've done 4 pan and filter drops over the years, each at approx. 20k. Regular ford atf. It will occasionally make a hard 1-2 shift when in traffic under partial throttle I recently noticed a flare?slipping? Under acceleration to highway speeds from 3-4 only within the first 20 minutes of driving within the past 3k miles (I drive it perhaps once every 2 weeks). Fluid is clean, level is stable. Normally I run amsoil atf in everything, but I never got around to putting it in because reasons. Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback before I go and put in the amsoil. The car is super clean and will be run until the wheels come off so I'm going for longevity. Cheers in advance for your help!

Best,

Dennis
 
Thanks for the replies. Do you think Lubegard would help, or would max life do it? I'll keep doing 20-30k pan drops regardless of what I use.
 
Since you're just doing a pan drop with MaxLife I'd say it would be ok to use Lubegard. That way you'll get a slow, gentle cleaning which is what you want in this case.
 
Maxlife ATF is good, or any full synthetic ATF.

I would also recommend buying a new transmission pan from Mazda which includes a drain plug, along with either the Mazda OEM gasket or FelPro. Part number FN11-21-51XB (your transmission was used in both Ford and Mazda cars, but only Mazda was smart enough to include a drain plug)
 
I have been using Castrol import multi vehicle in a 1997 escort that has the f4eat which I think is similar to the later focus automatic.

Castrol IMV is mercon v compatable but is a little thicker at operating temp than most mercon v fluids. I chose this over maxlife because maxlife is thinner and I wanted to try a thicker fluid.

The escort has a hard 1-2 shift after the fluid heats up with 20+ minutes of driving. The thicker Castrol has helped (not cured) this problem with no negative changes at lower temperatures.

Advance auto has regular sales on this fluid, and it's also available at wm for a reasonable price.
 
They had issues with the one band (2nd and 4 gear ) failing from a hardened seals on the piston that applies it . flairs were the most common issue. If the fliud swells seals a little it would help.
 
Thanks for the replies! I just ordered the pan, and will likely do an fluid change next week. If I do the Lubegard which one should I use?
 
I would use castrol transmax Dex/Merc or maxlife, whichever is less expensive. I never used lubregard so cannot comment on it
 
My 2002 ZTW had a hard 1-2 shift and didn't go into overdrive. I replaced 2 solenoids in the transmission. it was a fairly easy job and didn't cost a lot. I changed the filter while I was at it, and filled it with Maxlife. It has been shifting great since, but it has only been 50k miles since I did the job.
I tried Maxlife before changing the solenoids, and it seemed to help helped the 1-2 shift a little but not the overdrive problem. It was 500 miles or so before it made a difference. That is assuming the Maxlife was what made the difference.
 
Is Mercon V specified for this?

Id consider Maxlife, but it is rather low viscosity, so might consider regular Mercon.
 
If this tranny is the same as the one used in our '01 ZX3, which I believe is the case, then I wouldn't use Maxlife, since a thicker Mercon V fluid is what's recommended.
Maxlife ATF is recommended for Mercon LV (LV=low viscosity) applications with Valvoline's specific recommendation that it not be used in Mercon V applications.
I've read on Ford forums of people putting Mercon LV fluids in Mercon V trannies with poor results.
When we had our Aerostar, I did pan drop and fills using Valvoline Mercon V licensed ATF and had good results.
If Amsoil claims that their ATF is suitable for Mercon V applications, then use it with confidence. If they claim suitability for both Mercon V and Mercon LV applications, then I'd be a little leery, since these fluids have different viscosities.
Finally, if you can find a decent price on it, you could follow tig's lead and use M1 ATF.
It is recommended for Mercon V applications and can sometimes be found at a deal. I know of one Meijer where it's on clearance for four bucks and change a quart, for example.
 
It looks like Amsoil has an ATF for Mercron V, and then others for LV applications. Interestingly enough when you use their product finder they specify the two LV fluids they make for an '02 Focus. I've used the regular signature series atf in perhaps a dozen Fords over the years with excellent results. Given what some of your experiences have been with the same vehicle I'm feeling good about using it (or perhaps M1) so I'll likely get that for it. Thanks again for your help!
 
Originally Posted By: D Hill
I've done 4 pan and filter drops over the years, each at approx. 20k. Regular ford atf.


When you say "regular Ford atf" are you referring to Mercon V?
 
When I had my 2002 Ford ZX-2 (same tranny) I would sometimes get a hard 1-2 shift when cold unless I was easy on the throttle.
I found that thinner fluid (like Maxlife) didn't help while thicker fluid like Mercon V and Castrol IMV made it a little better.

After reading the post about 'seal hardening' being a cause...I think I would try the Castrol High Mileage ATF if I still had the car.....this fluid is thicker and has seal
'conditioners'.

PS: This was the only vehicle that I put Maxlife ATF into where it didn't improve shifting.
 
Originally Posted By: pbm
When I had my 2002 Ford ZX-2 (same tranny) I would sometimes get a hard 1-2 shift when cold unless I was easy on the throttle.
I found that thinner fluid (like Maxlife) didn't help while thicker fluid like Mercon V and Castrol IMV made it a little better.

After reading the post about 'seal hardening' being a cause...I think I would try the Castrol High Mileage ATF if I still had the car.....this fluid is thicker and has seal
'conditioners'.

PS: This was the only vehicle that I put Maxlife ATF into where it didn't improve shifting.


Maxlife and Lubegard Platinum might do the trick.
 
Originally Posted By: RevelationLion

Maxlife and Lubegard Platinum might do the trick.


No, do not use lubegard Platinum in anything. This is a bad product.

It is intended to be used to supplement products like DexronIII/V to act like highly modified products such as ATF+4. This is something a shady shop would do to your Mopar by putting mineral DexronIII plus this additive so they don't have to stock ATF+4.

It's a conversion product and even for its intended purpose its questionable, but here it will completely change the coefficient of friction of your fluid which is a problem.
 
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