Mercon fluid

[thegoose]

I am going to change the power steering and manual transmission fluid (you read right,MANUAL) and Ford recommends Mercon or Dexron 2. Should I go with the conventional fluid or the synthetic?
Points to consider:

The car is a 1991 Escort with 80000 kms
Mainly driven to work and back-30 kms daily
Winter temps down to -45 celsius

 

[Kestas]

The low temperatures would worry me and tend to recommend the Mercon V, which is synthetic, for both applications, moreso for power steering.

How was shifting last year in the cold?

 

[unDummy]

I'll always recommend a synthetic. My favorites would be Mobil1 ATF(because of availability) with the boutique oils next(Redline/Amsoil/Neo/Schaeffers/RoyalPurple/Torco/.....)

But, since Ford has excellent fluids, I bet that the Motorcraft or Aamco Mercon-V blend would be good enough.

The blends would give superior cold weather performance compared to the regular Dexron. The synths even better than the blends. It all depends on whether you want to spend the extra money or not.
If the stock OEM fluid performs well enough for ya, then the normal mineral DexronIII is good enough.

If you're looking for a little easier steering or shifting when cold, then upgrade to a blend or synth.

 

[thegoose]

I didn't think Mercon and Mercon V were compatable. In answer to the question of hard shifting during winter driving, some days changing gears was quite stiff and rubbery. I almost suspect that the grease monkeys who I asked to change the fluid a couple of years ago ,if indeed they did, may have put in gear oil. They also apparently replaced the PS fluid as well. It has a light yellow colouration to it. I thought PS fluid was red in appearance. My fault for going to a generic garage.

 

[Whimsey]

You're right. Mercon and Mercon V are two different type fluids. Being in a "slightly" cold part of NA I'd use synthetic or synthetic Blend Dexron III/Mercon ATF. I'm in northern New Jersey and while we don't see your cold temps it does get cold here and after putting in Schaeffer's semi synthetic ATF my winter shifting has improved tremendously. Dexron III/Mercon is the most common ATF fluid around. If you can get Mobil 1 ATF great. If not I'm sure Esso or Castrol must make a synthetic or semi-synthetic ATF with the Dexron III/Mercon rating. Or other Canadian suppliers offer synthetic or semi synthetic ATF with the Dexron III/Mercon rating. I should add that I have a 5 speed MANUAL tranny in my 2002 F-150 truck.

Whimsey

 

[Kestas]

The garage did okay on the ps fluid. PS fluid is amber in color, while regular atf is red. Given the choice, ps fluid is better for the car, synthetic even better.

 

[thegoose]

You figure that the fluid in my PS being amber is O.K., even though Ford stipulate Mercon or Dexron 2?

 

[Ken2]

The red dye is added to ATF for transmission fluid identification. The factory may put in the same stuff in the power steering without the dye.

Dexron-II is an old spec. The current spec is Dexron-III, and it is compatible. You might as well use synthetic ATF...you'll only need a quart, and it might perform better in very cold or very hot conditions.


Ken

 

[Big Jim]

I have had good luck with Mobil 1 ATF (which meets Mercon specs) for both of these applications. With your winter temperatures, I would most certainly advise a synthetic.

For what it is worth, i understand the Mercon V is a synthetic blend, not full synthetic.

 

[Mickey_M]

quote:

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Originally posted by Big Jim:
For what it is worth, i understand the Mercon V is a synthetic blend, not full synthetic.

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If you look at Mobil's Mercon V Synthetic Blend ATF you'll find that to be the case. If you look at the fine print you'll find that "Mobil Mercon V Synthetic Blend is also suitable for use in both newer and older Chrysler applications where ATF+3 or ATF+4 is recommended."

That ATF+4 recommendation is quite interesting. Daimler-Chrysler has not licensed ATF+4.

Mobil also recommends it for replacing the older Mercon and Dexron II and III.

I think if you'll compare the specs you'll find it the equal of the Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

 

[Big Jim]

And to add to that, ATF+3 and ATF+4 are much higher in friction modifier than plain Dexron III / Mercon.

 

[mechtech]

The synthetic ATF may be a little more slippery for the synchros to grab.
Still, it has certain friction parameters spec'd and should be fine in the trans.

 

[DSteven]

Yes, I have witnessed transmission shops using Mercon-V in place of Chrysler ATF+3, and they seem to show great success. I would trust that advice, more than Valvoline recommending to use their MaxLife DexronIII/Mercon fluid in Chrysler ATF+3 and ATF+4 applications! Is the MaxLife ATF more synthetic or synthetic blend than regular DexronIII/Mercon? I wonder what 'Group' 1-5 the MaxLife ATF is based? Any ideas? It is certainly more costly. I've seen good results with it, and then using it in a Stratus 41TE trans made the fluid full of black sooty particulate. Any ideas?