Changing Tranny fluid

[bimmerpowered]

How often should I change the tranny fluid on my Explorer Sport (5 speed auto). Someone was telling me that i should do it every 15K miles since the tranny is kind of a weak spot in the truck. Should I change to synthetics? Its still under warranty and I do not want to void it or blow it up.

Thanks

 

[BradE.]

I would say every 40-50K miles. Your tranny uses Mercon V fluid, a synthetic blend which is a pretty good fluid.

 

[aldive]

I recommend a complete change every 30k. And I am a great believer in going synthetic.

Further, you might want to add an external ATF filter as well as a tranny temperature gauge.

Good luck.....

 

[bimmerpowered]

Originally posted by aldive
I recommend a complete change every 30k. And I am a great believer in going synthetic.

Further, you might want to add an external ATF filter as well as a tranny temperature gauge.

Good luck.....

What synthetic do you recommend/do you use? Redline? Mobil 1? When you recommend an external ATF filter is that generally for the hard core offroaders or a good precaution to prolong the tranny? Is it hard to install?

I use my Explorer for off road on the beach in Assateague Island, MD/Chincoteague Island, VA.

Man, you guys are really helpful.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by bimmerpowered
What synthetic do you recommend/do you use? Redline? Mobil 1? When you recommend an external ATF filter is that generally for the hard core offroaders or a good precaution to prolong the tranny? Is it hard to install?

I recommend the use of either Mobil 1 or Amsoil ATF.

My truck is a street ONLY and I have one, Its just an extra insurance and adds an extra quart of ATF.

Take a look at Dead Link Removed for info on the external filter.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I am really impressed with the external filter set-up. In addition to filtering, it should also add to the fluid cooling.

 

[mosinman]

tranny service

The Mobil 1 trans fluid I looked at the other day did not say it was Mercon-V compatible. I believe the Amsoil says it is. I wanted to use the Mobil 1 but ended up using penzoil semi-synthetic Mercon-V compatible. I do a tranny service every 30k here in Texas. My old filter looked spotless and the old fluid looked brand new. However, as Aldive says, an external filter can only help. The new 5r55e tranny appears to be much much stronger than the old trannies. This is of course damning them with very faint praise. Do a search on external tranny filters. Much good info there.

 

[aldive]

Mobil 1 is Mercron V compatablr. I gave used it ( with changes ) for over 60k miles.

 

[BradE.]

It isn't that Mobil 1 is Mercon V compatible (which it isn't), it's that the tranny in your X will run on regular Mercon fluid, which Mobil 1 IS compatible with. That's why you have not seen any major differences in tranny performance.

Since your truck is still under warranty bimmerpowered I would stick with Mercon V compatible fluid only to avoid any warranty issues that may occur.

 

[mosinman]

tranny fluid

The new 5r55e clearly calls for Mercon-V, not Mercon. Mobil 1 does not say on the bottle or on the web sight spec sheet that it is Mercon-V compatible. I know several people including Aldive use it and love it. However, it does not say that it is Mercon-V compatible.

 

[VOATMJ1]

I whole hardly agree, both my owners manual AND my personnal mechanic, are very adamant about using ONLY the Mercon V and not regular Mercon in my tranny. (I have a 2000 model).

There must be something to that!

 

[aldive]

Well all I can say is that I have almost 70k on Mobil 1 ATF ( with changes ) with no problems whatsoever.

 

[dogfriend]

If you want to use synthetic ATF, AMSOil says it meets Mercon V specification on the bottle and on their website. I used AMSOil in mine, but I only have about 2k miles since the change (81k on the transmission) .

I'm planning to add an external trans filter (already bought it and extra trans cooler) but still haven't found the time to install it yet.