Stupid question: Best fluid for M5OD...and any additives?

[19Walt93]

Thanks to all, especially to 4x4Junkie who mentioned that later model M5OD transmissions (as is my 2010) do well on Mercon V. I just changed the tranny fluid this afternoon at 30,000 miles with Napa Mercon V. The magnetic plug showed nearly zero metal particles (120,000 plus miles) from my previous Mercon V change and I experience no hard shifting. While I was under the truck and dirty, I did an oil change with Motorcraft oil and filter at 3,500 miles. I'm as slow as molasses in all my car work but the two fluid changes only took me a shade over an hour including clean up and shower and cleaning the garage floor and packaging the used oil up for recycling. It feels like I'm slow but maybe that's the speed a 68 year old man can be expected to achieve. The satisfaction of taking care of these jobs myself far exceeds the amount of money it costs me.

Total expense :
5 qt. container of Motorcraft Semi Synthetic oil $37
Motorcraft oil filter $4
3 QTS Napa Mercon V $34.50

Total : $75.50 for engine oil change and tranny oil change.

I'm sure I could go to Jiffy Lube and only spend a little more but I don't trust them. My local garage would charge maybe $150 for both but I still feel I should be doing it.

I would avoid Jiffy Lube and any other quick lube chains like the plague. If you don't want to do it yourself and don't have a dealer you like, look for a local independent who's been in business for a while. I've posted before about lack of training at independents but there's no comparison to Jiffy Lube's "techs", the independent guys are actually mechanics.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

That was not a stupid answer, just a little abstract...
Do you mean service manual (like a clymer or haynes) or owners manual? (like the one in the dash)?
I did not think the latter would provide such a specification.

Yes, it does. Given that my 1990 does, I don't see why other years wouldn't.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I don't understand the confusion. My owners manual that came with the 2010 car in the glove box says use Mercon 5 in the manual transmission. Why is this being questioned?

Because Mercon 5 can be a lot of things these days, and is usually called something else.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I've got gallons of De/Merc LV....low viscosity, or liquid velvet as my transmission shop owner buddy sarcastically calls it.

I don't like to bug him except to build a trans (for money) or have a beer...but might have him look up and order whatever is books say....he still has the actual paper books to look stuff up.

She don't like type F thats for sure. Might hafta replace the synchros. jiggling back and forth in neutral dont feel nice either...snaggy and clicky for lack of better words.

 

[19Walt93]

I've got gallons of De/Merc LV....low viscosity, or liquid velvet as my transmission shop owner buddy sarcastically calls it.

I don't like to bug him except to build a trans (for money) or have a beer...but might have him look up and order whatever is books say....he still has the actual paper books to look stuff up.

She don't like type F thats for sure. Might hafta replace the synchros. jiggling back and forth in neutral dont feel nice either...snaggy and clicky for lack of better words.

Type F definitely doesn't belong in a manual transmission, it's not slippery enough. B&M used to sell it as Quick Shift fluid and it made GM transmissions shift more firmly. Drain it out and put some Dexron II/ Mercon or Mercon V in there and I bet it'll shift fine. Mopars used Type A in their manual transmissions as far back as the 60's. Other than Fords, most older automatics used Type A. I think it evolved into Dexron.
LV is a different animal- and it stinks awful- I don't know how it would work in a manual. Just get the right stuff, unless you enjoy changing the fluid.

 

[sgtsandman]

Personal observation on only one truck. Actual Motorcraft Mercon V feels better when shifting in my 2011 than the aftermarket product that says it meets the same spec. It has a much smoother feel to it.

 

[Blmpkn]

They don't drain the oil anymore, too many stripped/ wrong drain bolts. They just pump it out through the dipstick tube now. Sketchy.

This seems to be the favored DIY method on the 19+ trucks.


I personally don't see anything wrong with it. No mess, no wrenching, no need to mess with RTV or gaskets.

 

[sgtsandman]

This seems to be the favored DIY method on the 19+ trucks.


I personally don't see anything wrong with it. No mess, no wrenching, no need to mess with RTV or gaskets.

But it doesn’t take care of the goo in the bottom of the pan. I’ve yet to drop a transmission pan that didn’t have a layer of goo in it.

 

[Garth Libre]

Personal observation on only one truck. Actual Motorcraft Mercon V feels better when shifting in my 2011 than the aftermarket product that says it meets the same spec. It has a much smoother feel to it.

I tried to get Motorcraft Mercon V but not a single auto parts including Auto Zone, O Rielly’s, Walmart not Napa had it. Instead I bought Napa’s brand. It’s working fine. I still have a hint of effort to get int 1st but I’m wondering if it were like that when it was new too

 

[Blmpkn]

But it doesn’t take care of the goo in the bottom of the pan. I’ve yet to drop a transmission pan that didn’t have a layer of goo in it.

Very good point. I wouldnt of thought of that.

 

[sgtsandman]

I tried to get Motorcraft Mercon V but not a single auto parts including Auto Zone, O Rielly’s, Walmart not Napa had it. Instead I bought Napa’s brand. It’s working fine. I still have a hint of effort to get int 1st but I’m wondering if it were like that when it was new too

Most times not with Mercon V. With aftermarket, I had to mess with 2nd and reverse quite a bit to get into first when stopped or parked. There is the odd occasion when I have the do that since I put Mercon V in.

I just bit the bullet and got it from the dealer. It looks like I might have to do the same for ULV for the 2019. O’Reily’s carries LV for the transfer case.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

This seems to be the favored DIY method on the 19+ trucks.


I personally don't see anything wrong with it. No mess, no wrenching, no need to mess with RTV or gaskets.

I was talking about the engine oil. Sadly.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Thank for all the good info and not ripping me a new one.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Most times not with Mercon V. With aftermarket, I had to mess with 2nd and reverse quite a bit to get into first when stopped or parked. There is the odd occasion when I have the do that since I put Mercon V in.

I just bit the bullet and got it from the dealer. It looks like I might have to do the same for ULV for the 2019. O’Reily’s carries LV for the transfer case.

I find 1st fine, but do need 1st to reverse for the synchros to mesh and not grind to find.