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If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably been asking yourself; what transmission fluid type should I use for my Ford F150? Do I use synthetic or Type F fluids?
As you may be aware, transmission fluid is critical for any vehicle. It’s designed to lubricate the components of your car’s transmission to ensure optimum engine performance.
Given the different types on the market, figuring out which one to pick can be an overwhelming task. Transmission fluid types come in varying grades with different specs and properties.
Depending on the type you pick, the fluid can either clean the engine, reduce premature wear and tear or prevent oxidation. The functions are endless. This is why it’s important to make the right pick.
If you’re uncertain about which type to go for, we’re here to help.
If your owners manual says Dextron III/ Mercon we recommend:
- Enhanced friction durability for smooth transmission performance
- Meets DEXRON-III H requirements and satisfies requirements of DEXRON, DEXRON-III, IIE and II
And if your owners manual says Mercon V we recommend:
Just make sure your bottles don’t say Mercon V and don’t use a fluid that meets Mercon and Mercon V specs. Mercon V is now the newest and can be used in anything that calls for II or III but if it calls for V you have to use V.
This handy PDF Will Help as a Guide
>>> Ford Automatic Transmision Fluid Chart <<<
What Type of Transmission Fluid Does Ford Use?
Before we go any further, know that the answer regarding which transmission fluid type you must use lies in your owner’s manual. Here the manufacturer states accurate details regarding the exact type to use on your car depending on the engine year and type.
Besides, you want to use products that are trusted and recommended by your car’s brand to avoid any complications in the future, right?
But for the purposes of this article, we’ll start by highlighting that while there’re different transmission fluid types at your disposal, Ford vehicles use the Mercon series.
This type falls under the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and is widely used in most cars today. It’s an oil-based transmission fluid that’s known for operating effectively under high temperatures and lengthening the lifespan of car engines.
When Should I Change my Transmission Fluid for my Ford F150?
You’ll agree that Ford is one of the more durable vehicles that’s built to last. But even so, regular checks on your vehicle are mandatory to determine if everything is running smoothly.
Dirty transmission fluid presents many problems, from damaging the transmission components to overheating.
Part of the routine service and maintenance process includes checking the transmission fluid. In this case you’re basically looking for signs that indicate that your vehicle needs a transmission fluid change.
As a general rule of thumb, Ford recommends that you change the transmission fluid on your Ford F150 once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or once every two to four years.
Bear in mind that this recommendation is for the average driver. If you drive longer distances frequently, you have to change the fluid more regularly.
Driving habits aside, there are other factors that influence how often you must change the transmission fluid. You may need to change it after every 15,000 miles based on the following factors:
- If you live in an area with a warm climate.
- If you happen to plough snow frequently.
- If you’re involved in regular heavy towing or hauling.
- If you’re frequently involved in stop-and-go driving.
Signs Your Transmission Fluid Needs Changing
Excluding the above mentioned suggestions, there are a few tell-tale signs that indicate that your car needs transmission fluid change. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your car transmission slipping between gears?
- Are you experiencing rough or erratic gear shifts all of a sudden?
- Is your “check engine” light appearing on the dashboard?
- Are your gear shifts suddenly slow and delayed?
- Are your gears not shifting at all?
If you experience any of the scenarios listed, it means that something is wrong. Either the transmission fluid is seriously low or it’s not as clean anymore.
But the most accurate way of checking whether your Ford F150 is in indeed in need of the change is if you actually check your car’s transmission fluid. We explain the process below.
How Do You Check the Transmission Fluid on a Ford F150?
To check your Ford F150’s transmission fluid, simply follow these easy steps:
Locate the Dipstick
The first thing you want to do is to open your bonnet and locate your car’s dipstick.
Open the bonnet using the lever inside your car and securely hold it up with the internal prop provided. But make sure that you practice extra caution when opening your car bonnet.
If your car has been in use, then chances are that the engine is warm and may cause minor finger burns.
We’d tell you to wait till the engine has cooled down. But because transmission fluid expands with heat, you’ll get a more accurate reading if the engine is warm rather than cold.
The dipstick in most Ford F150 trucks—especially the older models—is located either on the passenger’s side or to your immediate left. And it resembles a bright yellow ring.
For newer models, it’s usually located on the actual transmission body.
Check the Transmission Fluid Level
The next step is to check your transmission fluid level. While your dipstick has both cold and warm level indicators, you want to read the latter.
As mentioned earlier, you can expect an accurate reading if your car engine is warm. In other words, you want to check when the car is in a driveable condition.
If your car has been parked for a while, drive it for a mile before checking the fluid level.
Your transmission fluid should be between 150Fᵒ and 170ᵒF when the engine is warm. Any lower means it’s time for a change.
Check the Transmission Fluid Quality
You also need to inspect the quality of the fluid. Make sure that the car is parked on a level surface. Pull out the dipstick and check both the color & consistency of the fluid.
Ideally it should be bright red or clear in some instances. If you notice that the fluid is either dark red or black, it’s time for a fluid and filter change.
Upon completing the process, don’t forget to replace the dipstick!
Important: If ever you’re uncertain about the entire process, rather take your car to a professional workshop.
Good to Know
While the process we just detailed is a sure way of checking your transmission fluid level, there’s another alternative.
Have you ever noticed oil stains on your parking bay where you’d have parked your car?
This means that your oil is leaking which may be an indication of a problem with the vehicle transmission fluid.
But to be absolutely certain, rather physically check the level and quality of the transmission fluid using the process outlined.
If your owners manual says Dextron III/ Mercon we recommend:
- Enhanced friction durability for smooth transmission performance
- Meets DEXRON-III H requirements and satisfies requirements of DEXRON, DEXRON-III, IIE and II
And if your owners manual says Mercon V we recommend:
What Kind of Transmission Fluid Does a 1993 Ford F150 take?
Do you own a 1993 Ford F150? Just like any other Ford vehicle, you also use Mercon transmission fluid on this make. You may also need to opt for a High Mileage option.
But again, make sure that you read your vehicle manual for the exact specifications recommended by the dealer.
Fords that Use Mercon or Mercon V
Should you use Mercon or Mercon V on your Ford vehicle?
Know that there’re different variants of Mercon. Mercon V is more compatible with the latest Ford models while Mercon is ideally suited for older models.
Mercon V is a fully synthetic automatic transmission fluid. Under no circumstances must it be mixed with the regular Mercon fluid—or any other transmission fluid for that matter.
Note however that Mercon V was announced as a replacement for Mercon by Ford. This means that vehicles previously using Mercon ATF must now use Mercon V. The latter now features more chemical properties designed to ensure:
- Enhanced friction durability.
- Provide superior transmission life.
- Promote smooth gear shifting while the vehicle is in operation.
- Provide exceptional thermal protection.
- Protect the vehicle against premature transmission wear and tear.
Final Thoughts
From the above, it’s clear that the transmission fluid you use in your Ford F150 is extremely important. Thankfully you need not do any guesswork to determine the exact type since it’s stated in your vehicle manual.
If you happen to misplace the owner manual, visit the manufacturer’s website. You’re bound to find the information there.
In this article we’ve concluded that Mercon transmission fluid used in your Ford F150 is essential for:
- Protecting as well as cleaning the metal surfaces of your car.
- Providing the right amount of viscosity your vehicle needs to operate optimally.
- Preventing oxidation.
- Lengthening the life of the transmission fluid.
- Improving the cooling ability of your car’s transmission.
- Reducing high temperatures that can wear out your vehicle prematurely.
Once you’ve picked the right transmission fluid, remember to always check for signs that indicate that it’s time to change it. Always take in your car for regular service to ascertain this.
Follow all the steps we shared with you to check the transmission fluid level. Better yet, you can take the car to a professional car maintenance workshop for the process.
Ultimately, whether or not your Ford F150 continues to operate optimally is entirely up to you. Take the necessary steps to protect your investment and it will last much longer.
Last update on 2021-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
