ATF Fluid change again

Well I went back to the dealer because I wanted to get the fluid changed again. I was checking it over because my wife Kids and father-in-law are going to GA. from NC. I always check every thing before a long trip is made.I notice the ATF fluid was really dirty again just a year ago I took it to have the dealer do the exchange. I did not have time to do it my self. The point is, if you are running mercon V and you do alot of around town driving I suggest you change it every year. Not the 30,000 miles the dealer suggest. It only had about 17,000 miles added to it from last years exchange and it was almost black. The dealer checked it out and said this is what all of them looks like and even showed me a demo sample they show the customers. He said my tranny was fine and I agree shifts really smooth. I just cannot understand why Fords Fluids are so weak. I have a 97 chevy Malibu with 130,000 miles on it and the fluid is a little dirty but not like the Ford is. Thats not my falt my wife had the chevy before we met and never changed the fluid I am scared to do it with all the miles on it now.But anyway just wanted to point that out, if its dirty go ahead and change. Its not worth the risk. Gary

I installed a "Magnefine" filter in the return fluid line....that goes into the tranny. It is sold under the ATP name at rockauto. You will need to change this filter quite often.....but it will help keep the fluid clean longer. It has a magnet, paper filter element, and a pressure bypass valve to bypass the filter media, should it become clogged.
The ones that I bought through rockauto come with all the clamps, short hose lengths that you will need to complete the installation.

Thanks wiswind for your reply.. I just wish I could find a cheaper synthetic than redline to add. I not too happy with mercon v. The other option is redline and at 108.00 a case. I just rather change it myself or send it to the dealer once a year. I am going to change the filter myself but wish there was a better tranny fluid out there thats not too exspensive.

AdvanceAuto now has a few brands of MerconV on the shelf. Some are less than $4, I believe.

Wal Mart sells Castrol Mercon V in Vegas for $3.12 qt.

Are any of these Mercon V only or do they meet Mercon, MerconV and Dextron 111 ? I have seen Quaker state and Castrol fluids that meet all three Specs but only the Motorcraft meets Mercon V only. Call me skeptical but I am leery of one type that meets all three.

Keep in mind that I am North of the 49th.

Mercon and Mercon V have different frictional charactoristics. So, a fluid would need to be 1 or the other.

There is a Quaker State on the shelves that claims to meet all three specifications. This is why I am skeptical of it. It is the multivehicle ATF.

Here is a link to the PDF data sheet

http://www.pzlqs.com/Tech/Pdsheet/QuakerState/Gear&Transmission/Pdf/MultiVehicleAutomaticTransmissionFluid.pdf

The Mercon V from Motorcraft states that it meets Mercon V specifications only

There is a Quaker State on the shelves that claims to meet all three specifications. This is why I am skeptical of it. It is the multivehicle ATF.

Here is a link to the PDF data sheet

http://www.pzlqs.com/Tech/Pdsheet/QuakerState/Gear&Transmission/Pdf/MultiVehicleAutomaticTransmissionFluid.pdf

The Mercon V from Motorcraft states that it meets Mercon V specifications only
I too share that feeling.. skeptical.. Mercon V or a troubled tranny
although I would think the redline would be a good replacement but 108.00 for 12 I need 14 ouch!!! I know first hand on what wrong fluid will do Dodge mini rebuilt tranny wrong fluid went only 14 miles before it blew.Was not mine but a coworker. Why do the car industry do this. Make one fluid for all,like oil.May have to use a different weight but does the same thing for all.

I installed a "Magnefine" filter in the return fluid line....that goes into the tranny. It is sold under the ATP name at rockauto. You will need to change this filter quite often.....but it will help keep the fluid clean longer. It has a magnet, paper filter element, and a pressure bypass valve to bypass the filter media, should it become clogged.
The ones that I bought through rockauto come with all the clamps, short hose lengths that you will need to complete the installation.

No offense, but I would definately NOT install a remote filter, EVER.

The single biggest ciller of ATs (and ATF) is HEAT. By adding an additional restriction in the ATF line, you will REDUCE the cooler flow, and therefore the ATF will run HOTTER, and you will provide LESS lubrication to the internal parts of the trans.

The ATF coolers on most Windstar vans are OK, barely. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, especially in a warm climate, then you need to service the trans more often. That is true for ANY vehicle.

You do not say what year your van is, but ONLY '98 and newer Windstar vans use Mercon V ATF, the earlier ones MUST use "Mercon" only.

One of the problems with a typical trans "service" (or flush) is that you only get about 2/3 of the ATF out of the trans. Yes, I know they TELL YOU they get over 90%, but they lie. I can prove it, but my fingers are already getting tired. The only real way to get 90% or more of the old ATF out, is IF you can also drain the torque converter. On MOST vehicles, you cannot.

I evacuate a little over 6 quarts of ATF using a suction pump (LiquidVac) yearly out of the dipstick and replace the trans filter every 30,000 miles. Using the suction pump is easy and there's always fresh fluid in the tranny. Mercon V is fairly cheap if you shop around.

I just put dexronIII/ Mercon in my 2000 windstar.
Does it have to be Mercon V??
Should I replace it?

I just put dexronIII/ Mercon in my 2000 windstar.
Does it have to be Mercon V??
Should I replace it?
YES change it out with mercon V ASAP!!! I took mine to the dealer as mentioned above. I am some what of a mechanic I have a year of School just new technolgy can be some what tricky. use to be type F fluid dextron mercon type was about the only thing out there but know new tec has come up with so many types it can spell out trouble if you use the wrong type, Old mechanics still argue with me over fluids but the reals story is if you put the wrong type in, it can mean a rebuild or replacment of the tranny. I could go on. Just go to other minivan froums and you can read some of there stories about transmission fluids Dodge is the same way wrong type of tranny fluid can do damage. Hope this helps.Gary

I just put dexronIII/ Mercon in my 2000 windstar.
Does it have to be Mercon V??
Should I replace it?


There is an additive on the market that one can add to Mercon/DextronIII to have it meet Mercon V specifications. I would never do it but the option is there.


I agree that you should not use fluid that does not meet Mercon V specs in a vehicle that calls for it (as a 2000 Windstar does).

ModMech,
Your point is well taken. I do have an auxilary cooler (17500 GVW rated) intalled in-line with the factory in-radiator cooler.... Frequent changing of the filter is a must (each oil change....3K miles) and the filter has a bypass valve. For major trip use....where the car may see harder use.....I have extra play in the hose....so that I can very easily remove the filter......and will do so for my upcomming trip. But for tooling around town.....it will provide extra filtering for the fluid.