Havoline Syn MV ATF for E4OD?

[Sumboodie]

Is Havoline MV Syn ATF suitable for in an E4OD? transmission is in a diesel F350 that works hard. I have a few cases of this ATF, it's what my other automatic (eww) truck with an AS68RC uses.

Pretty sure answer is yes, but wanting to confirm.

The PDS says it's fine for Dexron, Dexron 2, 3, VI but only says ALL FORD VEHICLES REQUIRING Mercon LV. No mention of any other Mercon version.

I'm confused how the Havoline MV can be used in a transmission that takes LV AND most of the Dexron oils? and then no mention of the Mercon versions. I was under the impression the original Dexron and Mercon, and later revisions 2 and 3 were the same oil, and Mercon V can go for the older specs.
But LV is a completely different blend and not backward compatible. So how can this MV oil cover LV plus the older Dexron versions (which seems wrong to me), but then not the older Mercon (which are the same as Dexron AFAIK), per the spec sheet?

Apologies for spelling or grammar, I'm 1 finger typign it on my phone which loves to change what I type to random words.

 

[JavierH19]

I find that odd too. I'd still use it unless those are more sensitive to low transmission oil pressure than gm transmissions running the same thin oil.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The Havoline MV ATF will be fine in your E4OD

 

[Sumboodie]

The Havoline MV ATF will be fine in your A4OD

E4OD

 

[slacktide_bitog]

E4OD

oops

Just fixed it

And yeah, the Havoline will work in an E40D too

 

[14Accent]

I'll go against the grain and say no, I wouldn't use a LV fluid in a 4R100. Clinebarger will chime in, I'm sure, but that application I'd probably stick with Mercon V. Havoline says the MV is spec'd for 2006+ vehicles, far newer than anything that was equipped with an E4OD/4R100.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'll go against the grain and say no, I wouldn't use a LV fluid in a 4R100. Clinebarger will chime in, I'm sure, but that application I'd probably stick with Mercon V. Havoline says the MV is spec'd for 2006+ vehicles, far newer than anything that was equipped with an E4OD/4R100.

Right but it also says it's fine for Dexron, Dexron II, III and VI too which is like 60+ years of transmissions.

 

[14Accent]

Right but it also says it's fine for Dexron, Dexron II, III and VI too which is like 60+ years of transmissions.

That part is confusing, for sure. That's likely because Dex VI is backwards compatible all the way back to... well forever. I'm using it currently in my '95 Seville that originally spec'd Dex III. The same can NOT be said of Mercon LV, I wouldn't even try using it in a mid-90's Ford.

 

[Sumboodie]

oops

Just fixed it

And yeah, the Havoline will work in an E40D too

Wonder why they aren't they specing it covers Mercon and Mercon V?

 

[Sumboodie]

Reading a bit more, Mercon V is correct, but the T Case is supposed to use Mercon LV not V.

I don't remember what I put in the T Case, I'm thinking was Mercon/Dexron 3 which I think is what I put in the transmission when I first got the truck. Last oil change on the transmission I put the store brand Mercon V from Schucks (OReilly).

I'm not understanding how the Havoline MV is fine for Dexron, Dexron 2, and Dexron 3, but wouldn't mention Mercon aside from the LV. As far as I understand, Mercon and Dexron 3 are the same thing. And Mercon V superceded 3 and is now backward compatible (wasn't for a while around 2006 I guess)
SOOO... if it's good for Dex 3, it would be good for Mercon V... at least in theory!


May just grab a pail of Chevron Syn ATF HD, or see if we have it in cases. I think the transmission with deep pan will take ~3 gallons if I don't drain the convertor.

"It is an excellent choice for passenger cars and light trucks requiring General Motors DEXRON®-III,1 as well as Ford MERCON® and MERCON® V, especially for those vehicles in moderate to severe service. Examples of severe service applications include police cars, taxicabs, pickup & delivery trucks, recreational vehicles, and tow trucks."


Just figured I could go with the 1 oil and it cover everything. Less to have to stock. At least the Chevron Syn would be fine in both the transmission and T Case vs having 2 different oils.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Wonder why they aren't they specing it covers Mercon and Mercon V?

I have no idea myself!

GM went out of their way to say Dexron VI is backwards-compatible with all previous Dexron versions and even the Type A that came before it. I don't know why Ford doesn't say to use Mercon LV instead of Mercon V (the only exception I know of is the 4F27E, where Ford does say Mercon LV can be used in place of Mercon V)

Ford still licenses the old Mercon V, but GM doesn't license Dexron III or any other older spec. I have also noticed some licensed Dexron VI products that don't also have a Mercon LV license, though they say you can use it there too

 

[Sumboodie]

LV = Low viscosity, not the same as Mercon 5.

Why they'd want that in the T Case instead of Mercon 5 that is allegedly backward compatible to Mercon, which is what went in the T Case originally, I'm not sure.

Why this info is so hard to sort out is crazy too. Thank goodness engine oil isn't so crazy. I put 5w40 in everything I own.

 

[kschachn]

GM went out of their way to say Dexron VI is backwards-compatible with all previous Dexron versions and even the Type A that came before it. I don't know why Ford doesn't say to use Mercon LV instead of Mercon V (the only exception I know of is the 4F27E, where Ford does say Mercon LV can be used in place of Mercon V)

For Mercon I'd guess it is a CAFE thing. For Dexron, even though VI starts off a bit thinner than III but is more shear stable so it retains the viscosity better. There is essentially no difference in operation for both of those licenses.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'd only run mercon-v in one of those.

Or switch to something a bit better entirely

 

[D60]

LV = Low viscosity, not the same as Mercon 5.

Why they'd want that in the T Case instead of Mercon 5 that is allegedly backward compatible to Mercon, which is what went in the T Case originally, I'm not sure.

Why this info is so hard to sort out is crazy too. Thank goodness engine oil isn't so crazy. I put 5w40 in everything I own.

You're killing me. The t-case is what....a 4406? Just run basic Dex/Merc or ANY ATF, really.

The E4OD is also Dex/Merc era, so I think your oddball Havoline would be fine.

Ford had a little panic attack because MercV causes issues in some of the cute ute AWD t-cases. FTM has a video about it. But they fail to note that a part-time, driver selectable t-case that needs ATF simply does not care.

I put MercV in my '07 F150 t-case just because everyone screams "don't ever put MercV in a t-case." Even FTM got snippy when I asked in the comments, seemingly offended that I don't just obey the bottle, which does very specifically state not to use in transfer cases.

I believe in reading instructions, but we only learn if we ask WHY (except for 2020)

 

[Sumboodie]

You're killing me. The t-case is what....a 4406? Just run basic Dex/Merc or ANY ATF, really.

The E4OD is also Dex/Merc era, so I think your oddball Havoline would be fine.

Ford had a little panic attack because MercV causes issues in some of the cute ute AWD t-cases. FTM has a video about it. But they fail to note that a part-time, driver selectable t-case that needs ATF simply does not care.

I put MercV in my '07 F150 t-case just because everyone screams "don't ever put MercV in a t-case." Even FTM got snippy when I asked in the comments, seemingly offended that I don't just obey the bottle, which does very specifically state not to use in transfer cases.

I believe in reading instructions, but we only learn if we ask WHY (except for 2020)

BW 1356 with PTO I think.

"I believe in reading instructions, but we only learn if we ask WHY (except for 2020)"

Yes, exactly, but finding out truthful info and the why is not easy. Like why would Mercon V not be fine in the T Case, per Ford. Says right on the Motorcraft bottle "not for use in transfer cases"

 

[MVAR]

Is Havoline MV Syn ATF suitable for in an E4OD? transmission is in a diesel F350 that works hard. I have a few cases of this ATF, it's what my other automatic (eww) truck with an AS68RC uses.

Pretty sure answer is yes, but wanting to confirm.

The PDS says it's fine for Dexron, Dexron 2, 3, VI but only says ALL FORD VEHICLES REQUIRING Mercon LV. No mention of any other Mercon version.

I'm confused how the Havoline MV can be used in a transmission that takes LV AND most of the Dexron oils? and then no mention of the Mercon versions. I was under the impression the original Dexron and Mercon, and later revisions 2 and 3 were the same oil, and Mercon V can go for the older specs.
But LV is a completely different blend and not backward compatible. So how can this MV oil cover LV plus the older Dexron versions (which seems wrong to me), but then not the older Mercon (which are the same as Dexron AFAIK), per the spec sheet?

Apologies for spelling or grammar, I'm 1 finger typign it on my phone which loves to change what I type to random words.

Side question,

Where did you find this Havoline MV atf? I can only find it locally to me through a distributor as no retail stores carry it in sizes over 1qt (not worth it in such small quantities at those prices).

Slightly back on topic, my wife’s old MKX originally specified Mercon V but was later updated to Mercon LV. I stuck with the Amsoil variant of V and never tried the LV version in that vehicle. Granted being a fwd based transaxle and much lighter duty it likely would have been fine but I never really liked the idea of mixing with drain/fills.

 

[crashz]

I tend to recommend to people to use spec'ed fluids however I don't practice what I preach. I stock Amsoil LV ATF and use it in everything. My ZF6 in the F450, the 6speed auto in my F250, and wife's Atlas. Used it regularly in my Honda too. It has worked great.

So I'm not sure why a multi vehicle fluid like Havoline would not be the same as say a Valvoline MV fluid with every approval known to man. Maybe they were saving ink on the packaging?

 

[freakazooid52]

Mercon V was made specifically for the E4OD torque converter shutter issues it's a friction modified version of mercon 3

Only use V in a E4OD

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Side question,

Where did you find this Havoline MV atf? I can only find it locally to me through a distributor as no retail stores carry it in sizes over 1qt (not worth it in such small quantities at those prices).

Slightly back on topic, my wife’s old MKX originally specified Mercon V but was later updated to Mercon LV. I stuck with the Amsoil variant of V and never tried the LV version in that vehicle. Granted being a fwd based transaxle and much lighter duty it likely would have been fine but I never really liked the idea of mixing with drain/fills.

Who/what stores does your distributor sell it to? Ask them