Choosing the right transmission fluid is one of the most important things a driver can do to keep their vehicle safe – and avoid unwanted car repair costs!
How to choose the right transmission fluid
The best place to start is by consulting the owner’s manual. It will note whether the car requires Dextron or Mercon transmission fluid. It’s very important to follow the owner’s manual. For example, some imports won’t accept Mercon, and instead require brand-specific fluid.
Synthetic or conventional transmission fluid?
Car owners also need to choose between synthetic or conventional transmission fluid. Synthetic fluid is more costly, but provides better performance and is more durable at higher temperatures. However, on some older models of cars, it’s actually better to stick with conventional fluid – especially if synthetic has never been introduced. Making the switch can actually do more harm than good, and lead to unwanted transmission repair issues.
Choosing the right brand of transmission fluid
Once the right type (Dextron or Mercon) and quality (synthetic or conventional) of transmission fluid is chosen, the next step is to find the right brand. There are a number of popular and well-regarded manufacturers, including Mobil, Shell, Penzoil, and more.
At Mister Transmission, our mechanics have in-depth knowledge and training, and provide our customers with sound advice on which transmission fluid brand gives them the best performance within their budget, and therefore helps them avoid unwanted car repair issues (including the need to rebuild a transmission) down the road!
FAQs
Check the Owner's Manual
When choosing a transmission fluid, the first place you should always consult is the owner's manual for the vehicle. The best ATF will depend on the year, make, and model of your vehicle and its type of transmission.
Does it matter what brand of transmission fluid I use? ›
The type of transmission fluid you should use depends upon the make, model and year of your vehicle. For example, many General Motor cars will require a DEXRON fluid and Ford cars commonly specify a MERCON fluid. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer recommendation for proper fluid use and change interval.
What is the number one transmission fluid? ›
Best Overall—Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic Transmission Fluid. As a fully synthetic transmission fluid that's suitable for a wide variety of vehicles, Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is our top choice.
Is Mercon and Dexron the same? ›
In short, the answer is no, and it's why you want to use an OE approved fluid specific to your car. Dexron fluids are used by GM. Ford and Mazda designed their transmissions for Mercon. Other import brands like Honda (DW-1) and Toyota (ATF Type-T) have their own specific fluid too.
What is the best ATF for older cars? ›
AUTOMAT ATF-1A is recommended for older vehicles with 4-5 speed automatic transmission (AT) requiring medium to conventional viscosity ATF. It is a specially superior quality fully synthetic automatic transmission fluid with appropriate friction which provides smooth gear change without interruption.
Is ATF 4 and Dexron VI the same? ›
ATF 4 or ATF+4 and Dexron VI both are full synthetic automatic transmission fluids. The ATF 4 is engineered and developed for the Chrysler transmissions and the Dexron VI is developed and designed for the GM automatic transmissions.
What happens if you use the wrong transmission fluid? ›
Using the wrong fluid can cause poor lubrication, overheating, and possibly transmission failure. A mechanic might not be able to reverse the damage, even by flushing the transmission. Mistakenly adding motor oil or brake fluid can also destroy your transmission.
Can I top off transmission fluid with different brand? ›
You can, but it's generally a better idea not to, and stick to one brand, as additive packages differ and there's a chance they might not be fully compatible with each other. But if it was a choice of not enough oil in the sump, and adding a different brand to get enough oil, I'd go with "enough oil".
Can you mix two brands of transmission fluid? ›
Yes. Synthetic ATF and conventional fluids are 100 percent compatible with each other.
What is the best brand of transmission fluid? ›
For the many shifts and miles ahead, trust your transmission with Valvoline, the #1 automatic transmission fluid brand.
U1P Transmission Fluid Full Synthetic ATF Universal is a universal automatic transmission lubricant which is suitable for use in nearly all makes and models of automatic transmissions including passenger cars, light trucks, heavy-duty trucks, commercial vehicles, as well as off-road vehicles.
Is synthetic transmission fluid better? ›
Unlike traditional mineral-based fluids, synthetic fluid has superior lubrication properties that offer better protection to the gears, bearings, and other transmission system components. Mineral-based fluids deteriorate over time, losing their lubrication properties, especially under high temperatures and heavy loads.
What happens if I use Mercon LV instead of Mercon V? ›
Using the wrong type of fluid can lead to significant transmission problems, and in some cases, may even require costly repairs.
Can I use dexron VI in place of Mercon V? ›
This fluid technology is designed to replace and supersede previous generation specifications from GM and Ford such as DEXRON III and MERCON/ MERCON V. General Motors officially states that DEXRON®-VI approved fluids are backwards compatible with and should replace all previous generation DEXRON fluids in service.
What vehicles use Mercon? ›
It's suitable for most Ford, Lincoln and Mercury passenger cars and light-duty trucks (except those specifying Mercon SP, Mercon LV, Mercon ULV or Type F fluids), as well as most pre-2006 GM vehicles and many imports.
Is there really a difference in transmission fluid? ›
There are many types of transmission systems available, with each requiring their own special blend of transmission fluid. When dealing with an automatic transmission, it's important that you use the correct fluid recommended by the manufacturer.
Is there a difference between standard and automatic transmission fluid? ›
Again, manual transmission fluid must protect against wear, just like an automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmission fluid, as noted earlier, tends to be a higher viscosity than automatic transmission fluid. This helps the fluid develop a thick, durable protective film.
What is the difference between Type F and Dexron transmission fluid? ›
The basic difference is that type F contains no friction modifiers, while all others do in varying amounts. Toyota also used type F until the early 1980's. Our 1981 Toyota had the fluid changed and the shop used Dexron by mistake. It slipped badly.
Is transmission fluid universal? ›
Most universal transmission fluids are formulated without key additives or contain unnecessary additives that could adversely affect your transmission, resulting in performance and reliability issues. We recommend using the exact fluid that was designed for your transmission.
