Mercon V for "Old" Mercon Transmissions

[Drew2000]

I have a '06 Mazda Tribute (Ford Escape) with the CD4E automatic. Factory fill was plain Mercon, owners manual states Mercon ATF only. I do a partial change (1 gallon) dump and fill every 5-8000 miles with Pennzoil "suitable for use' Mercon/DexIII ATF.

Ford came out with a TSB several years ago specifically stating that Mercon, NOT Mercon V was the only fluid to be used in this transmission. Now, since Ford no longer licenses Mercon, Ford's new TSB states Mercon V is fine to use in Mercon AT's. What has changed (other than alot of these Escapes are now out of warranty) that makes Mercon V ok for use now?

I would like a more shear stable ATF, and one with better cold properties. Think it's ok to switch to Mercon V? If so, should I do a full flush, or can I continue the incremental changes with Mercon V?

Anyone have experiance with synthetic Allison's Transynd Fluid or Amsoil's Torque-Drive clone? It's supposed to be specifically a DexIII/Mercon compatible replacement. This stuff would last forever in the CD4E.

Thanks

Drew

Drew

 

[Johnny]

Don't know anything about the Transynd Fluid or the Amsoil Torque-Drive, but you can continue with what you are doing with Mercon V. The Mercon V is more shear stable and has a better pour point than the regular Mercon had. Two or three of your drain and fills and it will be all Mercon V in there.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

At first Mercon V caused some seal issues with standard Mercon applications. Though this is no longer an issue, from me understanding.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Drew2000
Ford came out with a TSB several years ago specifically stating that Mercon, NOT Mercon V was the only fluid to be used in this transmission. Now, since Ford no longer licenses Mercon, Ford's new TSB states Mercon V is fine to use in Mercon AT's. What has changed (other than alot of these Escapes are now out of warranty) that makes Mercon V ok for use now?
This is exactly the question I have been asking since July of last year...

It makes no sense; Ford was adamant about Mercon and Mercon V being NOT interchangeable, now all of a sudden it's perfectly alright?

I bought a stash of plain Mercon before they quit licensing it for use in my car's P/S and in the CD4E in my niece's Contour. I have enough to outlast both cars and I intend to continue using it until they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

 

[The Critic]

I think the formulation has changed.

 

[tom slick]

I filled my mazda protege5 transmission with merconV even though it was spec'd mercon only. zero issues and that was 20k miles ago.

 

[Squishy]

I do remember reading that Ford had reformulated Mercon V for better seal compatibility, but does that mean the specifications were updated? Or is it still possible that aftermarket formulations will have the original incompatibilities?

 

[Drew2000]

Does anyone know if the Pennzoil "Suitable for Use" Mercon/DexIII is made to the same spec/quality as when it was a licensed product?

I find it interesting that the "old' Pennzoil Merc/DexIII has a pour point of
-57C and the Castrol Mercon V is -35C and a flash point of 204C for the Pennz. vs 180C for the Mercon V.

Maybe the ol' Pennzoil isn't all that far behind the Mercon V from Castrol.

Drew

 

[unDummy]

The aftermarket fluids, typical blended for multiple specs, never had the issue caused by Motorcrafts single spec Mercon-V.
And, it was definitely a seal life/compatibility issue.

With the number of better fluids available now, why even bother with the older dex/merc spec??? budget maybe????

Pourpoint and flashpoint aren't good specs for fluid comparisons.

 

[JustinH]

The semi synthetic nature of the mercon V has been used in several aod-e and 4r70w applications to fix torque converter shudder due to fluid breakdown.

Its a more stout fluid.

But in some heavy trucks, they warn against using it due to seal issues.

I wouldn't worry about it, they have retro'ed mercon V for use in all applications.

I would go for it.

 

[Steelers]

Many of us have used "universal" or "multi-vehicle" fluids such as Amsoil or M1 for years with no ill effects. These fluids and others claim compatibility with both the Mercon and Mercon V spec. Other than the improvement of the base oil (synthetic blends being necessary to meet the higher Mercon V standard) I don't see much difference between the two fluids.

 

[Izb]

When my dealer changed ATF from Motorcraft Mercon (filled in USA to new Ford Escape-2005) to Motorcraft Mercon V, dealer twice drained 3.7l old ATF, filled with 3.7l of old ATF and run at idle for 5 minutes. As I understand, I have now mix of ATF(36% Mercon+64% Mercon V). Since then I have drived 3000 miles.
My questions:
1) Does it harmful to use such mix of Mercon and Mercon V? As I understand, Mercon and Mercon V have different additives, probably non-compatible...
2) Is it allowed to mix Mercon and Mercon V for use in transmission, initially filled with Mercon?

 

[zrxkawboy]

Originally Posted By: Izb
My questions:
1) Does it harmful to use such mix of Mercon and Mercon V? As I understand, Mercon and Mercon V have different additives, probably non-compatible...
2) Is it allowed to mix Mercon and Mercon V for use in transmission, initially filled with Mercon?


perfectly fine

 

[Izb]

What about Mobil 1 ATF on Ford Escape-2005?
Does somebody use Mobil 1 ATF?

 

[BrandonVA]

i'm considering using amsoil atf in my 02 escape with 150k miles. although i just bought 12 quarts of plain dex/merc. i guess i will go through that stuff first. will amsoil/mobil 1 be okay for the seals on the cd4e?