Bottom line for correct fluid for TR-3650?

[StriderTacticaL]

Soon after I first bought my car, I installed an MGW. I basically ended up having problems with with not banging into 3rd and some people have said the same about their MGW's. I was also told to change my tranny fluid as it might have helped. Well I put in 3.2 quarts of RP synchromax and have been running it ever since. I recently sold my MGW and put in a Hurst which I love but it still feels the same way as my MGW did in terms of it not being smooth and being a bit tough. Particuarly, it was kinda alarming when the buddy I sold my MGW to installed it and when I tried it out in his car, it felt totally different. Also, eariler tonight, I was out driving around. I basically gunned it from a light and when I tried to bang into 2nd, it grinded heavily. It happened again when I gunned it on the on-ramp to the freeway. It doesn't happen all the time but the toughness it always there. I've heard that RP synchromax may be the wrong fluid for the 3650. I keep hearing things about Mercon 3, Mercon 5, and stuff like Mercon 3 being discontinued. Does anyone know what the proper fluid is for the 3650? Can I even go back to regular seeing that I already have RP synchromax in it? Is it worth a shot trying another fluid and exactly which one should I buy? Thanks, Brandon

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[WhiteFoxGT]

Ford calls for Merc V in the 3650...

Your shifting issues sounds like a case of bad synchros, which is very common for the 3650 to do.... 2nd and 3rd gear

[StriderTacticaL]

I think it was specificially stated to NOT use Mercon V in the TR3650...at least in the pre-05 ones. So no one knows???????????

[steve0914]

he is a ford technician....

[StriderTacticaL]

In regular driving and 95% of the time when I bang gears, everything seems to be fine...sometimes shifting to 2nd/3rd is a bit louder as in I can hear the synchros thats it. Basically the shifting just feels like there is more resistance than there should be.

[cliffyk]

Tremec's most recent 3650 service manual says this:



That said, I have run Royal Purple Synchromax for over 60k miles with no problems..

[Chubstang]

I used Mobil synthetic ATF.
While we're on the subject of transmissions, has anyone else noticed the tranny getting pretty warm after driving for a while? I can feel the heat radiating off the tranny after 20-30 minutes of city driving.

[Frostbitten]

ive been using b&m trick shift without a problem

[WhiteFoxGT]

2004 Mustang Workshop Manual General Specifications Item Specification

Lubricants and Sealants
Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX



This article supersedes TSB 01-15-7 to update the vehicle application chart.

ISSUE:
MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid is being replaced by MERCON® V as a service fluid.

ACTION:
Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCON® can now be serviced using MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid will no longer be manufactured, therefore, availability of this fluid will only continue for however long it takes to deplete what remains in inventory.

SERVICE PROCEDURE


Service automatic transmissions requiring MERCON® with MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V

For proper fluid application on current and past model vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions / transaxles refer to the fluid usage chart. (Figure 1)

CAUTION: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS / TRANSAXLES THAT REQUIRE MERCON® V SHOULD STILL ONLY USE MERCON® V OR DUAL USAGE FLUID LABELED MERCON® / MERCON® V.



CAUTION: MERCON® SP, MOTORCRAFT PREMIUM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND MOTORCRAFT M5 ATFS ARE UNIQUE FLUIDS AND MUST BE USED IN APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDING THAT PARTICULAR FLUID. USE OF ANY OTHER FLUID MAY CAUSE REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY OR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.



CAUTION: THE FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLUIDS FOR CVT TRANSMISSIONS ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THOSE OF OTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (ATFS). USE OF A FLUID OTHER THAN MOTORCRAFT CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE CHAIN TYPE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ONE LABELED AS MEETING MERCON® C WILL CAUSE FUNCTIONALITY CONCERNS AND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.



CAUTION: DO NOT USE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPLEMENTS, ADDITIVES, TREATMENTS OR CLEANING AGENTS.



PART NUMBER PART NAME
XT-2-QDX MERCON® (Quart)
XT-2-DDX MERCON® (55 Gal. Drum)
XT-5-QM MERCON® V (Quart)
XT-5-DM MERCON® V (55 Gal. Drum)



WARRANTY STATUS:
Information Only



With that being said, I used Merc V in my cars and other Mustangs no issues. Im just goin off what I was told thru Ford. Hasnt let me down yet. The Mobil 1 ATF is probably better fluid, but Im just giving out OEM information Also, I dont think I have ever billed out the XT-2 on any ticket. So maybe I've been putting the wrong fluid in cars for years?

[cliffyk]

How is that TSB at all relevant to a 3650 5-speed?