Mercon question

[BrianF]

Alright gents, I'm not up on any Ford spec'd fluids. We picked up a 2004 Ford Escape from some friends, a nice starter vehicle for our daughter. Looks like it has the CD4E transmission. Now, the manual calls for the old Mercon fluid, forbades the use of Mercon V. I read that the early Mercon V didn't jive but later formulations are fine....??

So, I can get cheap Dex/Merc but looking for other alternatives. I see LV Maxlife covers the old spec and V. Any issues? I would like to get a fluid that is synthetic and i can grab a bunch as it works in the Aisin trans in my Ram 3500.

Thanks,

 

[BrendanC]

dex/merc is probably the cheapest option, Maxlife is good stuff or it was. i don’t know now that they say it will work in CVT’s.

 

[Kira]

Odd:
This fluid lookup site: https://moveras.com/Support/Tools/Transmission_Fluid_Type
..says MerconV.
Obviously don't accept the results from an uncertain source.

...and it's "jibe", not jive.

 

[4WD]

dex/merc is probably the cheapest option, Maxlife is good stuff or it was. i don’t know now that they say it will work in CVT’s.

I have used Valvoline ATF in every flavor including CVT. Have only used max life in a prior 4L60e that was shifting like new when traded at 90k … beat the heck out of that truck too …
What’s interesting is how many have ditched the highway robbery Mopar ATF or Zeus’s juice I use in my Jeep - gone to max life . After one more spill/fill of ZF8 … Looking at going to the newer EP that I have in an 6L80e now … It’s shifting well at 100k … They mention ZF’s with the EP …

 

[BrendanC]

I have used Valvoline ATF in every flavor including CVT. Have only used max life in a prior 4L60e that was shifting like new when traded at 90k … beat the heck out of that truck too …
What’s interesting is how many have ditched the highway robbery Mopar ATF or Zeus’s juice I use in my Jeep - gone to max life . After one more spill/fill of ZF8 … Looking at going to the newer EP that I have in an 6L80e now … It’s shifting well at 100k … They mention ZF’s with the EP …

i use valvoline ATF exclusively outside the HPL stuff. it’s always treated me well.

 

[Lubener]

Alright gents, I'm not up on any Ford spec'd fluids. We picked up a 2004 Ford Escape from some friends, a nice starter vehicle for our daughter. Looks like it has the CD4E transmission. Now, the manual calls for the old Mercon fluid, forbades the use of Mercon V. I read that the early Mercon V didn't jive but later formulations are fine....??

So, I can get cheap Dex/Merc but looking for other alternatives. I see LV Maxlife covers the old spec and V. Any issues? I would like to get a fluid that is synthetic and i can grab a bunch as it works in the Aisin trans in my Ram 3500.

Thanks,

Here is TSB 06-14-04 that was issued by Ford regarding Mercon v. Your vehicle is listed. I would be using a name branded Mercon V fluid if I were you. I use it in my 2003 and haven't had any problems.

https://prosourcediesel.com/wp-cont...l1GGNlMdl8ZKqkuVCS4YlqyMmlWyq3JeSGDusU-6OMPQ7

 

[RF Overlord]

^^^what @Lubener said^^^

I wouldn't use an LV fluid in a CD4E. Order a jug of Motorcraft Mercon V from Rock Auto or get some Supertech from Wally World...it's Ford licensed and approved.

 

[ka9mnx]

Dex/Merc has a higher viscosity than MercV. MercV came out about the same time as 0/5w-20 to address fuel economy. Either would be fine to use.

 

[wlk]

Alright gents, I'm not up on any Ford spec'd fluids. We picked up a 2004 Ford Escape from some friends, a nice starter vehicle for our daughter. Looks like it has the CD4E transmission. Now, the manual calls for the old Mercon fluid, forbades the use of Mercon V. I read that the early Mercon V didn't jive but later formulations are fine....??

So, I can get cheap Dex/Merc but looking for other alternatives. I see LV Maxlife covers the old spec and V. Any issues? I would like to get a fluid that is synthetic and i can grab a bunch as it works in the Aisin trans in my Ram 3500.

Thanks,

You could use Valvoline MV Import syn ATF fluid as it meets Mercon, (and Dex3) and is pretty cheap on zon at $20/gal. Has visc of 6.9cst as well. I have it in my Ford and Honda now and will be putting it in my Chevy that specs Dex3. Not sure about your Dodge though.
Another option would be M1 ATF it is very good fluid but a little salty.

 

[Kira]

from Rock Auto

I looked up the OP's vehicle on RA -both engines- and under "Transmission", there was no fluid listed.
This suggests confusion, unless RA ceased listing fluids, which they always have.

Also:

the manual calls for the old Mercon fluid, forbades the use of Mercon V.

To the OP: Which manual [in your possession?] forbids the use of MerconV?
Perhaps it reads, "Use only the specified fluid". Owners' manuals are notorious for NOT being updated.

 

[thastinger]

We have an 04 Escape, bought it new, now has 156K on the original CD4E tranny and PTU. I've always done a spill and fill every other oil change since you can only get 4 Qts out of it and there is no serviceable filter. I have done a couple of complete fluid exchanges by taking the tranny hose off the oil cooler. In the beginning there were legit Mercon only fluids, now I just use the walmart dex/merc jugs.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Head down to Cambodian Tire.

 

[JavierH19]

Use the old mercon fluid. If you want an amazing fluid for older transmissions like your ford and my gm use Castrol transmax high mileage but I don't know if it's available in Canada. I can get this at the local home depot for 6 a quart. This stuff makes my two old 4 speeds shift like they're new off the lot again, crisp and quick when they were a bit slow to engage and one has 341k without having anything replaced inside yet. I think it's because it's a bit thicker than the others I've used but not by a lot. This is 8.0 cst and the rest are usually 6.9 to 7.5 cst. I think it has a formulation that makes older clutches grab better but I'm not too sure.

https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...EAF92768025805600724B2B/$File/BPXE-AFE8TS.pdf

 

[BrianF]

Thanks gents, appreciate your input as always.

So, perhaps it's how I interpreted the manual in regards to Mercon V. Attached is the manual excerpt.

@Snagglefoot, that fluid is exactly what I looked at. There some other versions I am going to look at as well.

 

[D60]

I thought once Ford officially abandoned Mercon, MercV became magically reverse-compatible

 

[BrianF]

@D60 thats what I thought but I never owned a ford before and never gave a second thought into their specs.

I subjectively looked at it through the lense of WS and Dex 6. The newer fluids were lower viscosity and backwards compatible.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I know the GM’s Dex 6 is reverse compatible with earlier Dex 2 and Dex 3 versions but I’ve never seen that with Ford’s Mercon V and earlier Merc. Having said that, take a look at some of these one size fits all ATFs and see if both Mercon and Mercon V are on same list.

 

[GSCJR]

I thought once Ford officially abandoned Mercon, MercV became magically reverse-compatible

I would like to hear what @bdcardinal has to say on the subject.

 

[RF Overlord]

I read (IIRC it was here on BITOG) that Mercon V was in fact reformulated around the time that plain Mercon was discontinued.

 

[bdcardinal]

Mercon V replaced Mercon in everything except transfer cases.