Transmission Fluid At 40k Miles

[dtech]

Does Valvoline even make the ULV? When I was looking the only ULV fluid I could find was the Motorcraft stuff. I saw LV but not ULV.

Apparently they do I followed the link in a previous post , ironically the info comes the ford tech mackaloopoo whom I've criticized about some of his vids but amazon shows a 6 pack of ulv qts for $70.00. Tranny fluid is a base oil with additive packages such as anti corrosion, anti foaming and perhaps most importantly friction modifiers, but from what I've been able to determine there isn't a huge amount of difference from the oem and the better after market brands. There are some very good aftermarket atf makers, I'm comfortable using valvoline but not necessarily for extended mileage use, would maybe change it every 30 or 40k depending on operating circumstances. I use valvoline maxlife in my Hyundai and if anything shifts are smoother than the oem fluid, like others on here I think more frequent fluid changes are going to be more beneficial in the long run than using high priced oem atfs.

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[RedlandRanger]

Apparently they do I followed the link in a previous post , ironically the info comes the ford tech mackaloopoo whom I've criticized about some of his vids but amazon shows a 6 pack of ulv qts for $31.00. Tranny fluid is a base oil with additive packages such as anti corrosion, anti foaming and perhaps most importantly friction modifiers, but from what I've been able to determine there isn't a huge amount of difference from the oem and the better after market brands. There are some very good aftermarket atf makers, I'm comfortable using valvoline but not necessarily for extended mileage use, would maybe change it every 30 or 40k depending on operating circumstances. I use valvoline maxlife in my Hyundai and if anything shifts are smoother than the oem fluid, like others on here I think more frequent fluid changes are going to be more beneficial in the long run than using high priced oem atfs.

I got mine on rockauto - I just looked and they do have valvoline but it is actually more expensive than the motorcraft. Motorcraft is $6.17/qt and Valvoline is $7.00/quart. I looked on Amazon and it shows the Vavoline at $11.59/quart or $70.58/6. Maybe Amazon is giving you a better deal, or maybe those prices are outdated....

If you change it every 30k it probably won't make too much difference what you use.

 

[dtech]

I got mine on rockauto - I just looked and they do have valvoline but it is actually more expensive than the motorcraft. Motorcraft is $6.17/qt and Valvoline is $7.00/quart. I looked on Amazon and it shows the Vavoline at $11.59/quart or $70.58/6. Maybe Amazon is giving you a better deal, or maybe those prices are outdated....

If you change it every 30k it probably won't make too much difference what you use.

Agree with that, often the oem fluids are higher priced sometimes much higher priced than aftermarket and people will buy the oem and it can be inferior to the aftermarket atf. I used to use the tranny to radiator lines to flush transmissions but that's no longer possible with the ranger design , agree 100% with those who criticize ford for no drain plug and saying the fluid is good for 150k.

 

[ctechbob]

What is the recommended dose and what is your change interval?

Thanks

- T

The recommended dose is 1oz per 1qt of fluid. My first dose was 10oz, and from what I understand the trans holds something like 12qts of fluid, so my initial dose was just a little shy.

I use 1oz per 1qt of fluid on my changes and I do them every 10,000 miles (Every other oil change).

If you've used nothing in the past and were starting with a full trans, just use a 10oz bottle and roll with it. I don't think there's much reason to add the additional 2oz unless you really want to.

 

[ctechbob]

I've used the Valvoline ULV, works just fine, but I ordered a case of Motorcraft when the Valvoline got way too expensive for my tastes. I'm not paying $11 a quart for it, I'll use the Mercon at $6/qt.

 

[TJC]

The recommended dose is 1oz per 1qt of fluid. My first dose was 10oz, and from what I understand the trans holds something like 12qts of fluid, so my initial dose was just a little shy.

I use 1oz per 1qt of fluid on my changes and I do them every 10,000 miles (Every other oil change).

If you've used nothing in the past and were starting with a full trans, just use a 10oz bottle and roll with it. I don't think there's much reason to add the additional 2oz unless you really want to.

Thanks for the information. Saved it in my maintenance procedures.

 

[ctechbob]

Thanks for the information. Saved it in my maintenance procedures.

I'm genuinely curious for someone to try it that has a balky trans. Mine was good from the get-go and remains so. I'd like to know if it frees up an iffy valvebody.

 

[TJC]

Thanks for the information. Saved it in my maintenance procedures.

BTW, I am installing my PPE Deep pan very soon. It holds an additional 1.75 quarts. So the 1 oz / quart is needed info. Hoping the relearn, deep pan and Platinum does the trick. Just hit 20K. When it is on the lift I will flush/bleed the brakes as well.

 

[ctechbob]

BTW, I am installing my PPE Deep pan very soon. It holds an additional 1.75 quarts. So the 1 oz / quart is needed info. Hoping the relearn, deep pan and Platinum does the trick. Just hit 20K. When it is on the lift I will flush/bleed the brakes as well.

Do all of that, but don't do the relearn right off the bat. You can always do it after, and I'm really really interested in any changes you might notice.

And yea, you might as well go ahead and get at least the 15oz bottle.

 

[TJC]

I'm genuinely curious for someone to try it that has a balky trans. Mine was good from the get-go and remains so. I'd like to know if it frees up an iffy valvebody.

I've got to repair a hydraulic line leak on my 2 post bendpak lift, but that should go pretty quick. Then change the oil in my CX-5.... And then it is go time for the PPE pan / fluid change.

Still not fully recovered from the tractor accident, but my knee is clear of infection, and functional if I do not stress it too much.

I'm ready to get back to work. I'll report back on the results.

 

[TJC]

Do all of that, but don't do the relearn right off the bat. You can always do it after, and I'm really really interested in any changes you might notice.

And yea, you might as well go ahead and get at least the 15oz bottle.

I have already completed the relearn, and it is now stable but not as smooth as I'd like it to be. My 2005 Ranger with a new Jasper upgraded rebuilt transmission is smoother than my 2020 Ranger.

I may give my 2005 Ranger the treatment as well.

 

[ctechbob]

I have already completed the relearn, and it is now stable but not as smooth as I'd like it to be. My 2005 Ranger with a new Jasper upgraded rebuilt transmission is smoother than my 2020 Ranger.

I may give my 2005 Ranger the treatment as well.

Gotcha.

That works as well, since it is still being 'meh'.

 

[Cmar]

glad its working for you, I'm sure you are aware you voided your warranty in the big picture. Was the third party oil company concerned with that at all? or just selling you some oil?
Not sure which specific BMW oil you used so we cant make a comparison, but as usual, where you gain somewhere, you lose elsewhere. Hopefully the losses won't be something severe down the road.

Not a problem for me, as I am long out of warranty in any case, and yes both of us were well are of this he did check with me first. They actually had a Ford compliant Mercon LV equivalent fluid as well, and in stock.
The oil suggested was specified for the BMW ZF 6HP2 transmission models, the Ford 6R80 transmission which is in my truck, is a built under license by Ford version of the ZF6HP2. Apparently the fluids are very similar, but the BMW spec is a higher duty one, and independent transmission shops rebuilding 6R80's had been using it with good results. Box shifts much smoother it's like a different box. Anyway seemed to work very well for me, I'm not advocating it for everybody.

Spec
SYN-TS™ is suitable for use in ZF 6 Speed ZF6HP26 Transmissions
ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D,
05L, 09X, 11B, 14A, 14B,
16L, 17C, 20B

 

[Langwilliams]

Is anyone concerned with getting counterfeit parts from Amazon or Rock Auto? I don't know if they could do it with fluid but I heard it's not uncommon for filters and spark plugs.

 

[ctechbob]

Is anyone concerned with getting counterfeit parts from Amazon or Rock Auto? I don't know if they could do it with fluid but I heard it's not uncommon for filters and spark plugs.

Amazon yes. I'm very careful about what I order car-wise from them.

Rockauto, no. Fully confident in what they sell/ship.

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