Mercon V alternatives?
- Thread starter Jarpin
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Is the car still under warranty? 
If not, you can use Maxlife with no problem.
Someone on here said they found Castrol Full Synthetic ATF at Walmart sold by the gallon (though I've only seen the quarts myself). It is licensed Mercon LV.
If not, you can use Maxlife with no problem.
Someone on here said they found Castrol Full Synthetic ATF at Walmart sold by the gallon (though I've only seen the quarts myself). It is licensed Mercon LV.
If the manual says Dex/Merc III, then you don't necessarily have to use Mercon V.
Typically if an application is rated for Merc V, it is backwards compatible with Dex III, but not always the other way around.
You don't mention the vehicle, but Valvoline Maxlife is about the best bang for the buck around and meets both those specs.
Typically if an application is rated for Merc V, it is backwards compatible with Dex III, but not always the other way around.
You don't mention the vehicle, but Valvoline Maxlife is about the best bang for the buck around and meets both those specs.
Supertech Mercon V is $4.93 a quart at Walmart. Just how much are you looking to save here? Valvoline Maxlife is a one fluid fits all. Recommended for many applications by Valvoline but actually doesn't really have any factory certifications. At least Supertech is a licensed product.
Glad you asked...It's in a Toyota with the multi-platform 1MZ-FE V6
Could y'all imagine I'm about to recommend Castrol import multi vehicle again?
well, what I thought about doing is just replacing the drained fluid with a gallon generic Supertech Dex/Merc III instead, since I also have some residual new fluid left over from another drain/fill I did in my Subaru. I have no idea why the previous owner decided on Mercon V for a 22 year old Toyota with such a robust and bulletproof transmission. My only concern is that I can't access the differential fluid, and that would presumably still be the Mercon V. I'd just hate to be in a pickle with an overheated system because of a different additive/detergent combo between the two fluid types. I bought an extra qt of the Supertech Mercon V just now, and will do the service here shortly. thanks for the tips guys.
your car probably came from the factory with dex ii equivalent
mercon v is a replacement for mercon/dexii
mercon v is a replacement for mercon/dexii
All your Mercon V licensed ATF is a conventional ATF. Valvoline Maxlife is a synthetic ATF. Synthetic hold up better than conventional. If many people had success using Maxlife in your transmission, that would be my pick.
Wolf's Head/Amalie universal is top notch! I've been using it in my Honda for nearly a year and it is holding up well, even with towing.
Ok, so something unexpected happened. I drained it but only got about 2.2 quarts out of it. I added what I drained. No visible leaks seen. I'm supposed to be getting 4-5 quarts out according to past experience and mechanic advice. Do you guys think it's safe to add another 1.5 quart?
It should be checked and filled to the proper level per the instructions in the owner’s manual or FSM. IIRC for my Sienna that’s fully warmed up engine running and in park? Regardless of what drained out it needs to be at the proper level going forward.
FWIW I’ve been using DEXRON-VI which is the proper fluid for an old DEXRON-III application. It works fine in my old Sienna with nearly 450,000 miles on the transmission. But Valvoline Maxlife works fine too, I used it for a while as well.
FWIW I’ve been using DEXRON-VI which is the proper fluid for an old DEXRON-III application. It works fine in my old Sienna with nearly 450,000 miles on the transmission. But Valvoline Maxlife works fine too, I used it for a while as well.
Don't overfill it.
Of you only got out 2.2 qt, that's what you refill with. Was the car level? And did you do it with the transmission hot or cold?
The car was on ramps. Not level. Engine was warm, but not hot. Shoud it have been running? I've heard it's risky because if it all drains out then the transmission could fail from overheating, so I've never attempted.
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I have trouble reading on ANY transmission dipstick. There's too many bends and curves in the tube and the dipstick usually picks up residual fluid on the inside wall of the tube. I just put back in what I get out and usually forget about it.
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