Ford Tranny Fluid Recommendations

Each transmission has different materials used in the seals. I use the manufacturer's recommended fluid as I know it is not going to damage the seals. If I had a 3-year old transmission acting the way yours is I would be checking online for known problems and checking for Ford Service Bulletins. Unless you have run the transmission in a manner to where the fluid overheated, the problems lie elsewhere.

Take it to a dealer or transmission shop and have it done right. Many of them require the pan to be pulled and filter changed to do it right.

Learjet wrote:
power flushing can cause problems.

X2 Was told from a friend who is a transmission mechanic that flushing is not a good thing in his opinion and doesn't recommend it. The fluid is pumped through the transmission backwards and it loosens and refloats all the******and dirt lodged in the valve body, but whatever doesn't end up being pumped out has a second chance of landing somewhere that can cause damage. I took his advice and just changed the fluid and a new filter. 235,000 kms, one tranny fluid and filter change, and still shifts like a new one and towed since new.

I think it's always best using manufacturers fluids. I have also heard flushing can wreak havoc on a transmission. Our daily drivers are Hondas but this may apply to any make as well, we drain and refill the trans. fluid 3x with short drives in between. The reason being only approx. 1/3 of the fluid is drained at a time. This method doesn't replace all of it as it mixes back together,but it is approx. 85-90% replacement.

Look at your owners manual. If Mercon LV is specified you will not find it except from a ford dealer. I haven't found any other fluid that is acceptable for a recent ford except motorcraft Mercon LV.

What's the transmission 6R80? I would use Mercon LV.
What do you mean "stick"? There is a TSB for sluggish when going into gear.

Take it to dealer,even if out of warranty,trans fluid should be good for 100K miles.

I have heard too many bad stories about flushing trannies, I would never do it. :) Change the fluid and filter and if problem persist, find a reliable tranny shop.

power flushing can cause problems. I would only use a fluid replacement machine. There is a difference.

An important part in my book is getting a written guarantee the 100.00% of the fluid will be replaced, and not mixed with a different fluid. The factory designed and built the unit so I would hesitate before going contrary to their specifications.