Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Originally Posted By: JRed
Mercon V is probably close to the cost of Maxlife, and it works well in the transmissions it's specced for.
Maxlife does seem to work as a Mercon V replacement, though.
My area MaxLife is $17 per 4 qt bottle and MotorCraft is $25 per same. According to Valvoline tech MaxLife additivies surpase Mercon V additives. Theoretically a slightly better product for less $$$. Real world always different in application though!
I don't think that additives alone make a good ATF, just like good additives alone will not make a good motor oil. I think the tech is wrong. For the proof, check the product data sheets of any real mercon V and Maxlife. Maxlife has kinematic viscosity at 100C below 7cst, while the Mercon V fluids are well above 7cst, which shows that Maxlife is thinner than Mercon V fluids. Also, the Maxlife ATF bottles I saw at AAP a month ago did not claim compatibility with Mercon V. I think what's happening is that Maxlife ATF got reformulated recently making it incompatible with Mercon V, and yet the web site materials as well as the tech support people are out of touch with this. If you still have doubt, try to confront Valvoline techs with these facts.
If you want to save money on Mercon V fluid, order Castrol Mercon V ATF from AAP online, then use CCABIN code on check out. This will knock $20 off purchase of $50, or $40 off a purchase of $100 or more. Should be cheap enough IMO. If AAP is not available in your area, consider NAPA Auto Parts. Their NAPA mercon v ATF is made by Ashland (same as Valvoline). The cost in my area is about $4.60 a quart making it the cheapest Mercon V fluid retail price I know. Still, changing the ATF in some Fords at this rate can be pricey. The old 1996-2007 Taurus requires about 15 quarts for a full flush (and a new filter). That's approximately $100 (with AAP discount).