Opps - I think I used the wrong Fluid

[r16409]

Did a drain and fill about 6 months back on an 03 Protege with Valvoline Max Life, (Dextron/Merc). I had called a few shops and they said that would not hurt it but now I am thinking that was very wrong. The manual says to use "M-V" which is Mercon 5 and I think this is a Ford Transmission. I just noticed that it is starting to very seldom Missshift. Anyone know if I could have damaged the transmission, (I did a drain and fill), and what I should do to get the correct fluid in? Do I need to flush it or can I drop and pan which apparantly get 5.7 qts out then drive for a thousand miles or so then do a drain and fill.

I hope I did not ruin the trans - I was trying to be pro-active on the PM side of things.

Thank You in advance!

 

[tweety2300]

How many miles are on it? If it has over 100,000 and has never been changed you shouldn't change the fluid but just the filter and re use the old fluid

 

[r16409]

It has 98K miles and I already changed the fluid and it just started to misshift very seldom. Otherwise the car does not miss a beat. I was thinking of dropping the pan and changing the filter and adding M-V, (Castrol), then doing another drain and fill in about 1000 Miles. Now I am wondering if this is the right approach and if Castrol is the right choice or if I should go for another brand.

Thank You

 

[Rustypro]

How many miles are on it? If it has over 100,000 and has never been changed you shouldn't change the fluid but just the filter and re use the old fluid

hol up...so when u do your oil change do u just change the filter and reuse your old oil?

 

[IshSonP5]

hol up...so when u do your oil change do u just change the filter and reuse your old oil?

Google it dood.

If a transmission has never had a flush or fluids changed before reaching 100k miles, you could damage the transmission by doing so. Things that are built up and make the transmission work because it filled in gaps over the years, might get flushed away causing slippage (as the op's) or worse... IMHO though, I would have left it all alone. almost 100k is too close to make a good call on whether or not it can be done without harming anything...

 

[Rustypro]

oic...glad my car is a 5 speed