ATF Fluid M-V Recommendations For P5

[dirizarr]

Hi Guys I have a 2002 P5 with automatic trannyand just hit 110k miles. I have the car for only a few months and the tranny levels are good and the tranny shifts fine but the fluid is a light brown.
Scared of getting a tranny flush but maybe you guys should tell me if I should or shouldn't or just get a drain and fill. Also Valvoline has a Mulit-Vehicle ATF fluid which I would guess is the same as the Mercon M-V? Any advice on a good replacement atf? I know Amsoil and Redline are good but is there a good but inexpensive fluid?

 

[wildcard26]

You can get the Castrol if that is available, if however the Valvoline is the right ATF rating according to the Manual then go right ahead. As for the flush, a simple fill and let it run while the tranny pushes out the fluid itself is a good idea. Better to let some one who knows how to do it perform this. What We do here and I have had done is buy a cheaper fluid with the same rating, drain the tranny. Then fill it back up with the cheaper fluid. I disconnect the hose from the rad that sends the fluid out then start the car for a VERY short while and let some of it pump out. After this is done then I refill. You will not have to do this every ATF change though, it's not necessary. Changing your transmission filter as well is a good idea if you have not done this already. The process I just describe I actually have one of my mechs do this since I don't have the facilities or the experience so like I said before if you know some one who can do this let them handle it. Considering your mileage it is not a good idea to vacuum, as a matter of fact I don't particularly tell anyone to vacuum their tranny, as it will take out the particles that are holding your tranny together. Hope the info is useful, just my little exposure and 2 cents. Keep us posted and cheers.

 

[dirizarr]

Wildcard, what color is the dealer mv atf fluid? Golden or red? My friends p5 has motor oil color atf and mine is turning brownish.

 

[wildcard26]

The Castrol I used was Red. I don't know what the colour is for the Dealer ATF.