Mixing transmission fluids

[colin11b]

So, I dropped my trans pan on my 2012 limited yesterday to change the filter and fluid and I had purchased 6 qts of Motorcraft Mercon LV. After filling the trans up with the Mercon LV I was still short on the dipstick so I had some Valvoline Maxlife ATF that says compatible with Mercon LV. I used the Valvoline to top it off. I put probably just under one quart of it in. I know the Maxlife bottle says its compatible with Mercon LV, but does that mean the whole trans needs to be straight one or the other, or will I be ok with the mixture?

 

[JExpedition07]

With only 1 quart your probably ok

 

[East-TN]

You will be okay.

 

[Adieu]

"Its gonna be ok rite?" = famous last words

PS i have no idea lol. But I dont really trust all these "universal compatible with..." products

 

[gixer2000]

"Its gonna be ok rite?" = famous last words

PS i have no idea lol. But I dont really trust all these "universal compatible with..." products

Yeah I agree. I wouldn't normally mix different fluids or use the universal options

 

[deweysmith]

It’s not ideal but I wouldn’t worry.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Transmissions are very complicated and require a specific mix of chemicals in the fluid for proper power transfer. Personally I wouldn't do it. At least if things start to slip or act weird you'll know why.

 

[East-TN]

There’s an article in the March ‘18 Car Craft magazine which discusses the variety of ATF brands out there...bottom of page 29 “In an attempt to reduce the confusion, many oil companies now market multi-compatible fluids. For example, you’ll see fluids that offer the combination of Dexron and Merton fluids. The original factory specs for these two fluids is different, but also close enough that a single ATF can achieve both.”

Sounds similar to your situation, and you will be ok with what you used.

 

[max78]

On my old truck I dropped the pan and filled with Maxlife around 200k because no one around here had any Mercon LV. It never gave me any issues and at 240,000 miles its still going strong. I 100% mixed Maxlife and Mercon LV in both my Expedition and Fusion with no issues, and I put a lot of miles on my vehicles.