Synthetic ATF vs. Addiitives

[MHanrahan]

Want to have the tranny fluid changed, but I'm curious of what benifits the synthetic fluid has. I mean it is 50 bucks more, than having regular fluid put in. Also if I get regular, how well do the additives work?
thanks

 

[aldive]

In a nutshell...
better lubrication
cooler running
longer change intervals
better gas mileage

Take a look at http://www.syntheticlubes.com/amsoil_synthetic_atf.html

 

[aldive]

Whike you are at it, consider adding an external filter for your ATF.

 

[ajevenson]

aldive,
Where do you add an external filter, inline with the aux trans cooler? And what are the benefits to doing this?

 

[aldive]

The benefits are twofold = better filtration of the ATF and the addition of an exrtra quart of FTF in the system. Plus a great location to install a tranny temp gauge sender.

See for the install: Dead Link Removed

Good luck, deveral of us copied Hank's install.

 

[aldive]

AgExplorer is offering a special price on Amsoil products. A great chance to make the switch and save some money,

 

[snooper0069]

i called the ford dealership in our area and was told by them to put synthetic only . i was also told by them that the factory puts synthetic in the trannys now because in the early models they didnt and to many trannys have burned up. i personally have royal purple in mine.

 

[aldive]

I have never heard of the factory using synthetic ATF in Explorers. Tell us more.....

 

[DesertSpive]

The '02 Explorer use syn in the automatics which are sealed BMW style from the factory. Their service interval is 150,000 miles I believe.

--Sean

 

[MHanrahan]

Ok, I'm almost positive that I'm going to use synthetic, but how hard is it to do yourself? Jifffy lube said that it would cost me about 140 if I wanted to have them do it with Mobil 1. I saw the explanation of how to do it on the explorer maintenance guide, and it seemed kind of complicated. Basically the only things I have done to my X myself is change oil/oil filter, change the airfilter, and change the fuel filter, does anyone think I will be capable of doing this myself? and if I do it myself I'll deffinately add in the additional filter.

 

[MikeTEC]

If you have a reputable Ford dealer/service dept. buy your own synthetic tranny fluid somewhere, take it to your dealer/service dept. and tell them you want to be charged for labor only. Also I would have them change the filter. That is what I did. Feels good knowing it was done right. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Mike

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by MHanrahan
Ok, I'm almost positive that I'm going to use synthetic, but how hard is it to do yourself? Jifffy lube said that it would cost me about 140 if I wanted to have them do it with Mobil 1. I saw the explanation of how to do it on the explorer maintenance guide, and it seemed kind of complicated. Basically the only things I have done to my X myself is change oil/oil filter, change the airfilter, and change the fuel filter, does anyone think I will be capable of doing this myself? and if I do it myself I'll deffinately add in the additional filter.

Changing the fluid is easy. Here's how I did it:
I disconnected the upper transmission line going into the cooler inside the radiator. I then slipped a rubber hose over the end of the connector on the upper transmission line and route it to a bucket which I already had marked in 1 qt increments. I then started the engine and the fluid pumped into the bucket. At the first sign of the flow starting to back off, I shut the engine off. By shutting it off as soon as flow slowed down, there is no damage to the transmission pump. Now that the transmission fluid is pumped out you have the option of removing the pan and changing the filter. The filter is just a metal screen and every time I have looked at it it didnt have anything on it, so its up to you whether or not to change it. I personally am not going to remove the pan anymore. Your best bet is to use a external oil filter, which will actually filter smaller particles. Reconnect the upper transmission line and add the exact amount of ATF that you pumped out and you are done. Removing the pan only gets out about 4 qts, so this is a great way to get all the fluid out without paying a place $75-$100.

 

[MHanrahan]

That sounds fairly straight forward, I think I may attempt to do that myself, and install the secondary filter. Thanks

 

[MHanrahan]

well I just went to look at my radiator, and realized, I have no idea which line is which, anyone haven any pics, or diagrams, or anything to help me out?

 

[RTStork]

You should have 2 metal lines entering the radiator on the side. Mine were on the driver side.. One is at the top, the other is at the bottom. The one you want to remove is the upper one. If you still don't see it, let me know and I'll try to take a pic.

 

[MHanrahan]

When you say top, you mean the metal line connected to the back of radiator, vs. the lower which is connected on the side, I just want to double check, don't want to make a mistake when dealing with the transmission.
Thanks

 

[RTStork]

Yep, thats the upper transmission line.

 

[MHanrahan]

Ok, so now how much fluid roughly would the 4.0 need? Anyone know?

 

[ajevenson]

If you pick up your ATF locally just buy a 5gal (20L) pail of it. Its quite a bit cheaper than buying bottles and can be used for putting the old ATF or other fluids in. I think off hand you would need about 16 litres (16 quarts) depending on the size of your trans cooler.

 

[RTStork]

Since you may get all of the ATF out or there may be a 1/2 qt left in the transmission, I recommend marking a bucket in 1 qt increments and when the flow starts to stop, shut off the engine. Its the safest way to prevent damaging the transmission. I would hate to see you wait for 16 qts to pump out and it only pump out 15 and you sit there waiting for the rest to pump out and let the transmission pump run dry. Since every last drop will not pump out, I would go by when the flow starts to stop rather than waiting on a specific amount to come out. This is just my extra precaution to prevent damage. Let us know how it goes.