What synthetic ATF is recommended for the TR-3650 (no weird noises, proper function, etc...) because I don't buy Tremec's suggestion to use Texaco non-synth Dex III/Mercon.

 

I thought I saw in my manual(scheduled maintainence) that they change the manual tranny fluid around the 60k mark....I'll have to check again when I get the chance.

 

No, no mention of manual transmission fluid checks or changes in the scheduled maintenance book, I just checked. I read it over twice just to be sure and it goes up to 150K miles. They didn't mention it, so I'm not changing it. (well, maybe around 100K just for the heck of it)

 

Fact or fiction: Ford fills the TR-3650 with Mobil 1 ATF from the factory.

 

Just because the manual does not say it, does not make it right. I would change it every 30000 or so. Cheap insurance and it is very easy to do.

 

How hard is it to change out the fluid in the TR-3650 on a S197 GT? There isn't a whole lot of ground clearance to begin with.

 

I might consider changing it at 30K if I put 1K miles on the car per year...but I have had the car for 13 months and just passed 30.5K miles. No way I'm changing it on a 1 year old car. If the fluid got dirty/worn out/less effective after 30K miles, the scheduled maintenance would include a tranny oil change, but it doesn't. The scheduled maintenance suggests changing fluid in automatics at 150K miles. An automatic has a LOT more wear and debris in the fluid than a manual, so I think we are pretty safe leaving the fluid in the manual for a long while.

 

An automatic is much harder on the ATF than a manual. You have lots of clutches and the torque converter clutch. All of those clutches will slip and generate heat, which breaks down the friction modifier. The latest service procedures for torque converters w/o drain plugs is to either use a machine or do a pan drop every 30,000 miles to replenish the friction modifiers. Also, we're talking about 11-13 qt + an external tranny oil cooler versus 3-4 qt and no cooler required.

 

Why does the maintenance guide suggest 150K miles between fluid changes for the Mustang automatic then? It does suggest 30K mile changes for some automatics, but not the mustang tranny's.

 

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You need your car on jackstands at least. Be sure it is level and use a fluid pump. I bought one as Summit for 10.00.

 

Do you have a link for the fluid pump?

 

2007 FSM:

• Normal maintenance
  • Fluid change not necessary, filled for life.
• Severe duty maintenance
  • Change the fluid at 48,000 km (30,000 miles) intervals

Mercon-V is not a lifetime ATF and especially not the regular Motorcraft stuff. The friction modifiers will eventually break down. I'm not even sure 30k intervals with just a pan drop is adequate for normal duty. Normally I drop the pan AND drain the converter on the 4R70W, but Ford decontented the TC drain plug after 2002 so my 2003 4R70W is limited to pan drops.

 

Here you go. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

I agree, fluid changes are necessary on automatics, but not at 30K miles in a Mustang. Fluid changes are not necessary on Mustang manuals 99% of the time. (barring any major power adders installed, like blowers) Also, we shouldn't compare the tranny on the crown vic to the mustang, big heavy car with old technology/design heavy duty transmission vs. lighter car with new technology/design transmission. Apples and Oranges.

 

A lot of Fords used the 4R70W/4R75W (Marauder, Crown Vic, E-series, F-series, Mustang 99-04 GT, etc...)

The new Stangs get the 5R55S which is obviously different, but I still don't see how an automatic is going to be so different that the ATF never has to be changed. If it uses clutches and a torque converter lockup clutch, the fluid needs to be changed due to heat generated from slippage sooner or later.

 

Sorry, screwed up this reply, see next...

 

Yep, said that earlier. I agree with you, automatics should be changed. Just not sure about the 30K mile interval...might be a little overkill.

 

The first one is important. The rest, not as much. If you like having that much metal in your lube, go for it. Will it go 150,000 miles? Probably. But why do it. Its only 30.00 bucks including the pump and about 1/2 hour time. You will not believe how much metal is in there from break in. Not sure about yours but my car is worth it.

 

The small blue maintenance book says you change the manual transmission fluid every 60,000 miles.

 

I changed mine at 9000 miles or so to RP Synchromax. The factory fluid looked nasty at only 9000 miles. I saved some and will compare it next spring when I drain and refill it with RP again before I hit any race tracks in 2007. I'll probably have 11000 on the RP fluid by then.

For now, the Synchromax works great! Shifts better and trans noise went down!