? about Valvoline Mercon V

[1Vic1S10]

I am draining and filling the transmission on my 95 Crown
Vic, I have 1 1/2 qts of AAP Mercon V so I run to AAP and
they are out of their house brand Mercon V. So I pick up
5 qts Valvoline Mercon V, and because I like to sniff things
as soon as I got home I opened up the Valvoline and it
had a distinct almost Nissan-Matic D odor, in my garage I
had 1 qt of AAP Mercon V and 1 Castrol, both had almost no
odor at all. My question is does anyone know what is the
difference in the odor of the Valvoline & the AAP and
Castrol and why does the Valvoline smell like Nissan-Matic
D?

 

[unDummy]

Valvoline Mercon-V is also a multivehicle ATF. It probably has a more robust additive package when compared to single spec'd fluids.

I would have no fear in using it. Valvoline Mercon-V has performed flawlessly in the vehicles that I've used it in.

 

[1Vic1S10]

I not worried about using it (already in the car) just
curious about the difference. Being a multivehicle ATF
would explain why it has such a different smell, thanks.

 

[BUDSHAD]

Anything of Valvoline's smells differently. Oil, transmission fluid even grease. Not knockin it. Valvoline is a great product.

 

[miked2]

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Valvoline Mercon-V is also a multivehicle ATF. It probably has a more robust additive package when compared to single spec'd fluids.

I would have no fear in using it. Valvoline Mercon-V has performed flawlessly in the vehicles that I've used it in.

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I didn't realize Valvoline Mercon-V was a multi-vehicle fluid?

 

[D Bone]

Quote:

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Quote:

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Valvoline Mercon-V is also a multivehicle ATF. It probably has a more robust additive package when compared to single spec'd fluids.

I would have no fear in using it. Valvoline Mercon-V has performed flawlessly in the vehicles that I've used it in.

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I didn't realize Valvoline Mercon-V was a multi-vehicle fluid?

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I found this letter from Valvoline. Based on all of the applications that Valvoline recommends their fluid for, it looks like really good stuff:


THOMAS R. SMITH
Technical Director, Valvoline Brand
June 7, 2004

To Whom It May Concern:

Valvoline has received several inquiries regarding the topic of MERCON V ATF and its use in various vehicles beyond those requiring DEXRON-III, MERCON, or MERCON V approved products. In response to these questions Valvoline has issued the following statements:

Valvoline supports the use of MERCON V ATF in a broad range of transmissions beyond those requiring DEXRON-III, MERCON, and MERCON V fluids including those where the following fluids are recommended:

o GM DEXRON II
o Allison C-4
o Chrysler ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluids
o Toyota (and Lexus) Type T, T-III or T-IV fluids
o Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II or SP-III fluids
o Hyundai
o Honda ATF-Z1 fluid (except in CVTs)
o BMW LT71141 or LA2634 fluids
o Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, or Matic-K fluids

MaxLife ATF is recommended for the new 5 and 6 speed transmissions, except the Ford 5R110, Ford 6RXX, and the Mercedes Benz W7A700 (7G-TRONIC) which all require a low viscosity Automatic Transmission Fluid.

Valvoline has conducted in-house testing to support MERCON V ATF performance in these transmissions. However, it is important to note that these vehicle manufacturers have neither evaluated nor approved MERCON V ATF.

Valvoline stands behind all of its products, including MERCON V ATF. Use of MERCON V ATF in transmissions where recommended by Valvoline WILL NOT void the vehicle’s warranty. In the unlikely event that any transmission was to be damaged as a result of the use of MERCON V ATF,
please contact Valvoline at 1-800-Team-VAL.

Valvoline does not recommend MaxLife ATF for use in continuously variable transmissions (CVT’s) or in automatic transmissions where Ford Type F is recommended.


Sincerely,
Thom Smith
Technical Director
Valvoline Brand

 

[Big Jim]

Very interesting.

 

[badbrad358]

Valvoline says their Mercon-V is ok for Nissan Matic-J? Has anyone used it in this application? Just wondering because I have a friend with a newer Frontier that takes Matic-J and this might be a more cost friendly alternative.

 

[Al]

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Valvoline says their Mercon-V is ok for Nissan Matic-J? Has anyone used it in this application? Just wondering because I have a friend with a newer Frontier that takes Matic-J and this might be a more cost friendly alternative.

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I wanted to bump this up bc Nissan auto transmissions are not particularly durable. Can anyone shed some light on what the best stuff for lthis transmission would be.

I have Mercon V in right now and do a fill and drain every 10K miles or so. My origional transmission went out in the first 500 miles on my 01 Nissan Sentra. I have found that this transmission shears ATF back very quickly.

 

[unDummy]

Actually, I find that Nissan auto transmissions are VERY durable. Sure, some lemons get shipped. But, its no worse then any other automaker.

Power seems to be the AT killer these days. Engines are making more and more power. Vehicles are getting heavier and heavier. Sumps are getting smaller. Cooling is pathetic.

Stall speed of smaller 4-cylinder vehicles tends to be high. The higher the stall, the quicker the shearing.

Frequent ATF maintenance helps.
Quality ATF is a must.

If you install a temp gauge, or can monitor the ATF temp via OBD, then you can decide whether your driving style requires an ATF cooler or not.

 

[JTK]

Valvoline Maxlife ATF (red bottle) has held up very well in the Merc-V spec'd AX4N in my 2001 Windstar. Out of the 3 dumps and fills I've done on it (Had AMOCO Merc V and dealer Merc V before), it seems to shift the best on maxlife, plus with 20Kmi+ on it, it's still looks as clean as new. The same maxlife also quieted down the noisy power steering pump on this van.

Joel

 

[Al]

Well..I hope you are right. The best I can do is frequent replacement. I still hope someone chimes in of the Mercon V question.