Well, there are a few more days that Advance Auto runs the promo 2 qt for $11 of Castrol ATF. The stores in my area are all out of the "Mercon V" fluid (I was told that someone bought 30-40 bottles at once). I managed to buy only 7 qt of "Mercon V" and drain and refill the daily driver 2001 Mercury Sable (used 5.5 qt). Also I did the drain/refill on a 2000 Hyundai Sonata (Mitsubishi transm) with the "Import Multi-Vehicle" ATF (this one they still have a lot on shelf). Still need to do the 2001 Ford Explorer but I don't have enough ATF left. Looking at the "Import Multi-Vehicle" bottle I see "Mercon V" listed. Now, I found the datasheets:
Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...t Multi-Vehicle
Transmax Mercon V: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...ansmax Mercon V
They have basically identical specs and the "Import Multi-Vehicle" one lists Mercon V.
Viscosity at 40°C, cSt - 36.6 IMV - 37 MercV
Viscosity at 100°C, cSt - 8 IMV - 7.8 MercV
Viscosity at -40 C, cP - 10500 for both
Heck, even the Transmax High Mileage: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...ax High Mileage has the same data sheet characteristics as the ones from above!
Basically this tells me that the modern (1996-2010 era) american ATF (like Mercon V) matches the specs of import ATF (Asian more specifialy), and I don't see a reason to fret over the "Mercon V" label, this being more of a marketing issue for all the manufacturers (revenue for licensing).
I now that those specs don't tell the whole story, are there any hidden "miraculous" compounds that are present in a Mercon V, that are not present in the other? I somehow doubt that Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda or Nissan don't have the same "miracle" compounds in their specs.
Am I correct? Any thoughts from people that know about chemistry of additive packs?
BTW, in my vehicles I am adding Lubegard Platinum too. It is supposedly:
Quote:
Enhances DEXRON® III, VI/MERCON® , V ATF to perform like a highly friction modified ATF, such as:
– Honda® Genuine ATF
– Toyota® Type T/TII/TIV
– Mopar® ATF + 3® (7176)
– Mopar® ATF +4® (9602)
– And all other highly friction modified ATF's
That makes it even more confusing.
Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...t Multi-Vehicle
Transmax Mercon V: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...ansmax Mercon V
They have basically identical specs and the "Import Multi-Vehicle" one lists Mercon V.
Viscosity at 40°C, cSt - 36.6 IMV - 37 MercV
Viscosity at 100°C, cSt - 8 IMV - 7.8 MercV
Viscosity at -40 C, cP - 10500 for both
Heck, even the Transmax High Mileage: http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...ax High Mileage has the same data sheet characteristics as the ones from above!
Basically this tells me that the modern (1996-2010 era) american ATF (like Mercon V) matches the specs of import ATF (Asian more specifialy), and I don't see a reason to fret over the "Mercon V" label, this being more of a marketing issue for all the manufacturers (revenue for licensing).
I now that those specs don't tell the whole story, are there any hidden "miraculous" compounds that are present in a Mercon V, that are not present in the other? I somehow doubt that Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda or Nissan don't have the same "miracle" compounds in their specs.
Am I correct? Any thoughts from people that know about chemistry of additive packs?
BTW, in my vehicles I am adding Lubegard Platinum too. It is supposedly:
Quote:
Enhances DEXRON® III, VI/MERCON® , V ATF to perform like a highly friction modified ATF, such as:
– Honda® Genuine ATF
– Toyota® Type T/TII/TIV
– Mopar® ATF + 3® (7176)
– Mopar® ATF +4® (9602)
– And all other highly friction modified ATF's
That makes it even more confusing.
Last edited: