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2013 taurus se 3.5 Transmission fluid change

38K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  Smitty79 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Bought a 2013 Taurus SE V6 3.5 with 95k miles Oct 2017. It now has 101k miles, I seen manual reads trans fluid change at 100k miles. It was owned by Walgreens mostly. It felt like twice from a stop in D when ready to pull out of my driveway, it felt like a small slip and bump you know the same if I would had it in neutral and put it in D.

Figured either low fluid or filter getting dirty (outside temp. around 70 both times about a week apart). Later checked fluid level it was in correct after about 30 mile drive in 80 degree weather, it's been around a month and trans been working good felt nothing else wrong.

I recently found out I can NOT replace filter, I intended to drain, filter change twice. I've read that new fluid can remove the old varnish build up which is going to be trapped in the filter that I can NOT change! Should I even do a drain and fill ? (read around 5 1/2 quarts) If those two slight transmission bumps I felt a several weeks ago was caused by a filter that's beginning to clog I'm I going to make things worse? I was going to use Valvoline Maxlife full synthetic atf does anybody have anything to say about that, like that's fine or noooo don't use that!!!!! I already bought it.
 
#2 ·
#3 · (Edited)
Thanks I found a BG transmission service bout 10 miles away will call sometime and see about there service. I did forget to say the maxlife atc I bought says recommended for DEX/MERC* MERCON* LV . Also is Mercon still available? according to the short video link below at 44 secs says they don't make mercon anymore, video dated Dec.2017 talking about mercon V.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
The video he was holding mercon V, but the way I took it was that ford no longer makes mercon period. So I'm assuming later versions including Ford made Mercon LV. I don't know the timeline when Ford Mercon LV came out. They may have licensed out Mercon to other ATF producers, but may have loaded dealerships with a lot of Mercon, but really don't know.
 
#6 ·
I did a drain/fill twice withValvoline full synthetic ATF (LV). My trans didn’t like it. I recently found Motorcraft Mercon LV on RockAuto for only $4.07 a quart. I did a drain fill (measured exactly 5 quarts that came out), and my trans acts much better now. Learn from my mistake and just use Motorcraft LV!
 
#7 ·
Even if you cant find Motorcraft Mercon V, I am sure it will be around from other suppliers for many many years to come, as there are tens of millions of Fords on the road that still use Merc V in their trannies and PS systems. Best place to get Merc V is Wally World Supertech Merc V for around $4.29 a quart. Heck Ford Type F fluid can be found everywhere and Ford hasn't built a tranny or PS system that uses Type F in 25+ years.
 
#10 ·
Well I fiiiinally called a nearby auto repair shop that does bg transmission flushes, he said "since I don't know transmission service history prior to 95K miles (has 103K miles now) he suggests drain and fill" not a bg flush because the filter can not be changed. Since my transmission been working fine I think I will return the MaxLife fluid for a refund. If I do a drain and drop the new fluid might possible dislodge some sort of build up and clog up my filter then I would have to have it rebuilt, may as well wait and hope transmission last a long time, I'm not a hot rodder anyway. I don't take long trips either. also the place I called said they use Global multi-vehicle brand which I know 0 about.
 
#12 ·
^^^^ +1000

A drain and refill will not cause any issues like a "flush" might.

I would drain the fluid (you will only get about half of it out), refill with about 5 qt of Mercon LV, drive for a week or 2, and repeat the process.
 
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#19 ·
well it is a 2-3 owner car so not sure if original fluid

when i’m driving it holds the rpm at 2k going 45-70 like its stuck in a gear it usually shifts between that and holds between 1-1.5k, my only complaint with the taurus is putting the transmission dipstick under the air filter but i’ll have my mechanic check the color and level before drain and fill
 
#20 ·
You can check the color and level . It’s a little pain, but glove up, have the car at operating temp after a drive, parked level, and running. Reach under the air box, unscrew it, pull the stick, wipe it really well, then repeat to check actual level.


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