Cheapest Mercon V ATF (compatible) fluid?

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Lolvoguy

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Usually I can rely on Canadian tire for my fluids. They go on sale frequently enough that I can wait for a sale before stocking up on Mercon V ATF/ engine oil etc.

I've been waiting for about a year now, and I'm really getting tired of not seeing it on sale. Is there another place in Canada I can get it for less than $7.29/liter? I'd imagine that there's other fluids that meet the same specs, without being labelled as "Mercon V".

thanks in advance
 
No. You need Mercon V. M1 ATF would also work. Maxlife recently changed formula to be a LV fluid. Mercon LV will not work in Mercon V applications.

Don't you guys have other stores? I can get a whole jug for cheap at walmart.
 
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
Last time I needed some I bought it at Walmart. Supertech.

Supertech Mercon V....is an approved ATF....and spected for your Focus.
 
The local Canadian Tire store here has a motomaster branded full synthetic multi spec fluid thats merc v compatible $29.99 for a five liter jug, believe its a shell product.
 
Originally Posted By: hemitom
The local Canadian Tire store here has a motomaster branded full synthetic multi spec fluid thats merc v compatible $29.99 for a five liter jug, believe its a shell product.

I would NOT use a 'multi-spec ATF thats Merc V compatable'.

Use a MerconV....thats Ford approved (not conpatlble)....even if it cost you a few extra $$$. Call various auto supply outfits, and see if they can order Motorcraft (Ford approved) Mercon V for you..

Here in the States, O'Reillys ordered it for me ($5 a quart).....and had it the next day. You might also check the local Ford dealers and price it out there.
 
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Thinking "cheap" when it comes to fluid could end up being false economy.
+1 "It's the stingy man who pays the most".
 
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Thinking "cheap" when it comes to fluid could end up being false economy.


Yep. I saved $10 bucks and now I have torque converter shudder.
 
I buy it by the case on Amazon. It's Havoline. The price isn't bad. For all you change the transmission fluid, I think you would be better off to leave it alone then try a cheap alternative.
 
Originally Posted By: hemitom
The local Canadian Tire store here has a motomaster branded full synthetic multi spec fluid thats merc v compatible $29.99 for a five liter jug, believe its a shell product.


Just noticed that after starting this thread. I went to pick up some coolant to do a flush on the Focus.
I inspected the back label and noticed it's also spec'd for the Toyota and the strict Volvo specs that are usually met by Mobil 3309.

At the price of 29.99 for 5 liters, works out to roughly 5.99 per liter. Despite what others have said about it not being a Mercon V only fluid, this ATF has me VERY interested.

Seems like it meets the same specs as the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF that shares similar applications. Also interesting since it's NOT spec'd for Mercon LV applications
http://www.mobil.ca/Canada-English-LCW/automatic-transmission-fluid_mobil-1-synthetic-atf.aspx#
 
Originally Posted By: KingCake
No. You need Mercon V. M1 ATF would also work. Maxlife recently changed formula to be a LV fluid. Mercon LV will not work in Mercon V applications.

Don't you guys have other stores? I can get a whole jug for cheap at walmart.

Maxlife ATF is still Mercon V compatible per Valvoline.
I sent an e-mail to them about 18 months ago and this is what I got:


Quote:
The following Incident has been logged with Valvoline Product Support. Please review the information provided, should you need further information or wish to update an open incident, please REPLY to this e-mail or call 1-800-TEAM-VAL.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I own a 2002 F150 with a 4R70W automatic transmission. It requires Mercon V fluid.
I was looking at your Maxlife ATF and it no longer says on the bottle suitable for Mercon V applications, only Mercon LV. I know many places (including Ford) say that Mercon LV and Mercon V are not compatible fluids.
Your website also says that Maxlife ATF will work with Mercon V, but the fact that it is not on the bottle concerns me.

Is it safe to use Maxlife ATF in a vehicle that requires Mercon V?



Most Recent Update:



Thank you for contacting Valvoline for your automatic transmission fluid application.

For your 2002 Ford application, we recommend the use of our Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF product to meet the Mercon V specifications recommended by your manufacturer. This product is 100% compatible for mixture or replacement in your vehicle and will not void any new car warranties. We have attached the Product Information Sheet for the Maxlife ATF.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via email or by phone at 800 TEAM VAL. Thank you once again for contacting Valvoline Product Support and have a great day.



Mike

Valvoline Product Support



I sent a follow up e-mail to them about the bottle labeling:

Quote:


OK, so even thought the bottle does not say Mercon V on it, Maxlife ATF does meet the spec for it? Why not just put it on the bottle then?

Most Recent Update:

The current Ford spec is Mercon LV. That came to be in 2009. That is what is on the bottle because it is the current rating. We sent the Product Information Sheet to show that Maxlife has the additive package necessary to cover all the Mercon applications including Mercon V. There are labeling issues in various states that preclude us from putting every application on every label. We could not get all the Maxlife applications on the bottle because there is not enough room on it.

We appreciate you using our products and apologize that we could not include the Mercon V on the label.

Mike
Valvoline Product Support


Their Product info sheet also has that it is suitable for Merc V, even though the bottle itself does not say it.
 
If the Maxlife bottle doesn't say Mercon V and does say Mercon LV. It's probably not compatible. Mercon LV is a lower viscosity oil supposedly designed to get better mileage. In this case it's the viscosity of the oil, not the additive package thats not compatible. The response from valvoline does not come out and say it is ok to use in your application.
 
Why doesn't Mercon LV work in V applications when all the other low-visc ATF's are backwards-compatible?

Dexron VI can be used where III was called for. DW1 can be used in Z1 applications.

Besides, the thinner stuff is more shear-stable. The old fluids sheared down quick.

Use the LV with confidence
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: 03cvpi
If the Maxlife bottle doesn't say Mercon V and does say Mercon LV. It's probably not compatible. Mercon LV is a lower viscosity oil supposedly designed to get better mileage. In this case it's the viscosity of the oil, not the additive package thats not compatible. The response from valvoline does not come out and say it is ok to use in your application.
If we were to use this reasoning, nobody could use Maxlife in any vehicle.
Valvoline does not say it is compatible with any fluid at all. It says it is suitable for applications, including Merc V and Merc LV.
My e-mail response ("we recommend the use of our Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF product to meet the Mercon V specifications recommended by your manufacturer. This product is 100% compatible for mixture or replacement in your vehicle" and "to show that Maxlife has the additive package necessary to cover all the Mercon applications including Mercon V.") and the product info sheet both say I can use it in Merc V applications.
Yes Maxlife is thinner than Merc V @ 100°C (5.91 vs 7.5), but so far I have had no issues with the Maxlife (actually shifts better now), and if the add pack is fine, I am not too worried about a little thinner fluid.
 
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
Last time I needed some I bought it at Walmart. Supertech.

Supertech Mercon V....is an approved ATF....and spected for your Focus.


+1 or Coastal brand makes a cheaper Mercon V.
 
I am using Maxlife ATF in my 2005 Ford Focus . It seems to be working fine (2K mi since changed).
 
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