I know this is a newby question, I searched a little but figured this would be quicker, and it's not that technical, but I can't find the right answer.

What is the best tranny fluid to use for a 4r100. I've been on TDS forums and all I can find is that you shouldn't use Mercon V. The problem is the auto stores are telling me to use Mercon V. And everthing else is dex/merc or type F. What does the pirate crew say?

I know this is a newby question, I searched a little but figured this would be quicker, and it's not that technical, but I can't find the right answer.

What is the best tranny fluid to use for a 4r100. I've been on TDS forums and all I can find is that you shouldn't use Mercon V. The problem is the auto stores are telling me to use Mercon V. And everthing else is dex/merc or type F. What does the pirate crew say?


The simple answer is this: Go to the local parts house, and read the back of the bottle. It will tell you what year application, make, etc... (which I know you know) The Diesel Stop guys are synthetic fluid freaks (I used to own a Powerstroke and was a regular on TDS) and LOVE Amsoil and all that stuff. Anyways, go by what the bottle says and you will be fine.

owners manual in the glovebox tells you. I just don't remember what it is and I'm too lazy to go look.

The simple answer is this: Go to the local parts house, and read the back of the bottle. It will tell you what year application, make, etc... (which I know you know) The Diesel Stop guys are synthetic fluid freaks (I used to own a Powerstroke and was a regular on TDS) and LOVE Amsoil and all that stuff. Anyways, go by what the bottle says and you will be fine.

owners manual in the glovebox tells you. I just don't remember what it is and I'm too lazy to go look.


back of bottle says "good for ford auto transmission as specified by the manufacturer"

Ford manual gives "part numbers" or "equivelent" but does not specify. Does anyone have those numbers crossed referenced?

anybody else?

Year make and model please.:D
Leadmic

Call the stealership, they can tell you for sure (hopefully) Make sure to tell them the color of the truck, and whether or not you have heated seats, it makes a BIG difference :flipoff2:

mercon / dexron III

nothing else.

I use Schaffers in my BTS 4r100... recomended by Brian so that's good enough for me. :smokin:

Ford recommend mercon/dextron 3. However Ford has recently said that Mercon V is fine to use as mercon/dextron 3 is being phased out.

mercon / dexron III

nothing else.

If it is a stock 4r100, that is what Ford recommended. If it is a built 4r100 I would contact the tranny builder and use what they recommend.

Considering that the 4r100 is an electronic tranny I'm not sure how the solenoids, etc. would react to the different types of fluid. I run type F in all my non-electronic trannys (regardless of manufacturer). I'm also considering running tractor oil in the c4 that I built for my ranger.

Year make and model please.:D
Leadmic

It's a stock 2002 4r100, I have intake, exhaust, superchips tuner that I only use tow/performance mode on, egt gauge, boost gauge and additional tranny temp gauge.
Ford recommend mercon/dextron 3. However Ford has recently said that Mercon V is fine to use as mercon/dextron 3 is being phased out.
Been told on TDS emphatically NOT to use Mercon V, but the back of Mobile one synthetic tranny fluid bottle, (that says Mercon V in small lettering), it says it is recommended for use with ford vehicles that formally used mercon III or dexron. :confused:

If it is a stock 4r100, that is what Ford recommended. If it is a built 4r100 I would contact the tranny builder and use what they recommend.

It is a stock 4r100.

Considering that the 4r100 is an electronic tranny I'm not sure how the solenoids, etc. would react to the different types of fluid. I run type F in all my non-electronic trannys (regardless of manufacturer). I'm also considering running tractor oil in the c4 that I built for my ranger.

Does anyone know what the actual differences are between the various "mercon, dexron, or type f?

Does anyone know what the actual differences are between the various "mercon, dexron, or type f?

Dexron III/Mercon is "slippery" and Type F is "grabby". The tractor oil is supposed to be "extra grabby" and supposedly is being recommended by quite a few tranny builders now. I've been told to use Type F for years now by a ton of different people and have had good results. The other benefit that people are seeing with the tractor oil is a resistance to burning the fluid and overheating as well.

Here is a whole thread about the tractor oil and it has some stuff about the other tranny fluids in there too. It's a good read, but it will take you some time to get through it all:

http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=58907.0

I still would be a bit leery of running either tractor oil or Type F in an electronic tranny only for fear that a slight difference may make a solenoid stick. It may not even be an issue in reality however, but I don't have an electronic tranny that I can try it in.

Now we're way off topic for what type of tranny fluid to run in your 4r100... :flipoff2:

mondster,
Thanks for the info. I will read this tonight.

Use only regular Mercon for a stock 4R100. If you have to replace it, just use the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. I've got a 50/50 mix of reg. Mercon and Mobil 1 synthetic for 130k and it shifts just fine...

A little off topic, but I've been told that it is not wise to switch from type F to mercon in the non electronic transmissions. I don't recall the exact science behind why, but I do remember that the clutches dont particulary like the switch.

A little off topic, but I've been told that it is not wise to switch from type F to mercon in the non electronic transmissions. I don't recall the exact science behind why, but I do remember that the clutches dont particulary like the switch.

I believe that longer ago there were clutch material differences in some trannys were sensitive to the switch. I've heard stories about clutch material basically breaking down if the incorrect fluid type was used. I don't believe that this holds true anymore (at least in aftermarket parts) because if it did the professional tranny builders wouldn't be recommending alternative fluids to run in their trannys and people would be having clutch issues, etc. when they switched.

From what I've read Type F seems to be slightly thicker than Dex III/Mercon and that the tractor oil is slightly thicker than Type F. This is primarily why I would be concerned with switching on an electronic tranny. As I mentioned before, I've used Type F in my Dodge trannys (they were originally Dexron or ATF +3) with no issues for a while now. The viscosity differences don't seem to affect the performance of the truck/tranny.

One thing that has me curious however is how the manufacturers select a tranny fluid and determine what specs they want to go with. Obviously they have their reasons for doing what they do but I don't know what they are. I have been told to run Type F by way too many people (who are unrelated to each other) to think that it is just some goofy idea someone has.

I use Schaffers in my BTS 4r100... recomended by Brian so that's good enough for me. :smokin:


You had Brian do your tranny? I did too in my old PSD. That guy knows how to put together a 4R100, I can guarantee that. He moved into a new shop couple years ago or so. When I sold my PSD, I took the tranny out and sold it to a buddy that has one. Last year, since the tranny had @ 80-90K hard miles on it (behind my triple axle 44' and then my buddies landscaping business) he decided to make an appointment with Brian to freshen it up. Well, all Brian charged him for was the parts, NO LABOR! That man stands behind his product. Nothing wrong with a tranny, someone brings it in, and he goes through it and charges nothing but parts, how can you top that?

Yep, many stories like that is exactly why I chose to spend my hard earned coin with him. He also has some nicely tweaked valve bodies for you 4r100 guys!

:smokin:

You had Brian do your tranny? I did too in my old PSD. That guy knows how to put together a 4R100, I can guarantee that. He moved into a new shop couple years ago or so. When I sold my PSD, I took the tranny out and sold it to a buddy that has one. Last year, since the tranny had @ 80-90K hard miles on it (behind my triple axle 44' and then my buddies landscaping business) he decided to make an appointment with Brian to freshen it up. Well, all Brian charged him for was the parts, NO LABOR! That man stands behind his product. Nothing wrong with a tranny, someone brings it in, and he goes through it and charges nothing but parts, how can you top that?

I use Schaeffers in my BTS as well. I like Schaeffers but they are getting real high priced, more than Mobil-1.
IIRC about 1.5-2 years ago Ford changed the formula for Mercon-V, and the fluid Mfg's followed suit. Now Mercon-V is safe for e4OD,4r100, 5r110 trannies.