Mercon V same as ATF +3?

[ukmastermind]

My Ford requires Mercon V, but I have 2 cases of ATF+3 from my old Hyundai. Are these the same fluid?

Judging from the Castrol "Import ATF" chart, it would seem so. Any thoughts?
Castrol Import ATF

 

[901Memphis]

No they are not the same.

 

[Oregoonian]

Don't mess with any other ATF....If Ford says to use it....USE IT.
I wouldn't take any chances, even though Castrol states its OK. You don't want to mess mess up a transmission.

 

[Sam2000]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Don't mess with any other ATF....If Ford says to use it....USE IT.
I wouldn't take any chances, even though Castrol states its OK. You don't want to mess mess up a transmission.


Yet your auto signature says you add Lubeguard to Mercon V. Do Ford say that too?

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: Sam2000
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Don't mess with any other ATF....If Ford says to use it....USE IT.
I wouldn't take any chances, even though Castrol states its OK. You don't want to mess mess up a transmission.


Yet your auto signature says you add Lubeguard to Mercon V. Do Ford say that too?

Ford dosen't say anything about Lubegard...but many here on BITOG use Lubegard, mainly because it helps the ATF run a bit cooler and is used by many transmission re-builders.

 

[901Memphis]

ATF+3 is very obsolete, I would only use it for flushing a system specified for ATF+3 prior to upgrading to ATF+4 or for very short intervals.

It may work okay in specified power steering systems also but at some point you might just want to recycle it and move on. Just my opinion, maybe you can find a more suitable use for it but to my knowledge the ATF+3 friction modifiers are very different from Mercon V, which is the biggest issue with using it.

 

[widman]

Right, ATF+3 is old spec. I believe the spec called for a Maximum Brookfield of 20,000 at -40. Mercon V calls for 12,000. Much better cold flow.

Many Synthetic ATF's are formulated for ATF+4 and Mercon V, but that doesn't even mean all are. ATF+4 is a Max. 10,000.

 

[901Memphis]

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...F+4#Post2023782

This may be relevant to the thread.

 

[Sam2000]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Ford dosen't say anything about Lubegard...but many here on BITOG use Lubegard, mainly because it helps the ATF run a bit cooler and is used by many transmission re-builders.


Ford specify Mercon V and no additives.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Adding LubeGard to the correct ATF is one thing, using the wrong ATF is another.

 

[Sam2000]

Is that what Ford told you?

 

[Falcon_LS]

LOL! Thanks, I needed a laugh.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Adding LubeGard to the correct ATF is one thing, using the wrong ATF is another.


+1

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Adding LubeGard to the correct ATF is one thing, using the wrong ATF is another.
+2

 

[ukmastermind]

''Guess I will go with straight Mercon V, not even the Castrol "Multi Import" stuff
Too bad there isnt a Mercon V Maxlife available

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: ukmastermind
''Guess I will go with straight Mercon V, not even the Castrol "Multi Import" stuff
Too bad there isnt a Mercon V Maxlife available

The last time I used Maxlife ATF, it mentioned Mercon V use.
I don't believe a fluid that only meets ATF+3 is a suitable replacement, because Mercon V didn't have as many friction modifiers as ATF+3.