Wayne,
As Sparks has stated, Amsoil states that their Universal ATF is compatible with both Mercon and Mercon V specs. According to that, this indicates that the Mercon V spec is backwards compatible with Mercon, but NOT vice-versa.
Michael
Mobil 1 synthetic ATF
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As Sparks has stated, Amsoil states that their Universal ATF is compatible with both Mercon and Mercon V specs. According to that, this indicates that the Mercon V spec is backwards compatible with Mercon, but NOT vice-versa.
Michael
Wayne,
You are correct, a blanket statement that Mercon V is backwards compatible for Mercon is incorrect. Now if a TSB was issued that allows the use of Mercon V in Mercon applications, no problem, but this is vehicle/transmission specific, not a blanket endorsement.
I have an E40D and a 4R100 and they require the use Mercon/Dexron III only. There is not a TSB stating otherwise. Mobil 1 meets this requirement at present. In fact Mercon V is a no-no
in these transmission. The use of a dual rated fluid is also not allowed, under warranty. After the warranty you can use dual rated fluids such as Amsoil, but the repair is your dollar after warranty.
Use what the book calls for and don't look back. And what a Ford mechanic puts in is not a good Gage to go by. They use what they stock or the parts guy hands them. Many mistakes have been made on this transaction.
I do use Royal Purple in my 01 4R100, (under warranty), and Amsoil in my Mazda gas vehicle, (not under warranty).
You are correct, a blanket statement that Mercon V is backwards compatible for Mercon is incorrect. Now if a TSB was issued that allows the use of Mercon V in Mercon applications, no problem, but this is vehicle/transmission specific, not a blanket endorsement.
I have an E40D and a 4R100 and they require the use Mercon/Dexron III only. There is not a TSB stating otherwise. Mobil 1 meets this requirement at present. In fact Mercon V is a no-no
Use what the book calls for and don't look back. And what a Ford mechanic puts in is not a good Gage to go by. They use what they stock or the parts guy hands them. Many mistakes have been made on this transaction.
I do use Royal Purple in my 01 4R100, (under warranty), and Amsoil in my Mazda gas vehicle, (not under warranty).
Ford has a history of transmission issues.
They even have a warning against using certain OEM fluids within certain dates.
Motorcraft RED bottle MerconV is different than Motorcraft black bottle MerconV.
I guess when the OEM is trying to get the cheapest fluid for a given spec, sometimes sh!t happens.
According to the Ford transmission fluid chart, the 1997 and older 4r70w takes Mercon and not MerconV.
The 1998 and newer 4r70w takes Mercon-V.
The 4R100 uses Mercon.
The benefits of Mercon-V over Mercon are shudder control, smoother shifts, better hot/cold performance.
The problem with MerconV in a Mercon transmission is the "less shudder/smoother shift" part, which can lead to transmission slipping. If the Mercon transmission is tired(worn out) or being stressed(towing/racing), it could slip which leads to burnt clutches/bands, high temps, and a toasted transmission.
I find that MerconV works better then Mercon in any application(even the 4R100). But, if there is any slipping, swap fluids back or upgrade the valvebody!
For a normally driven soccer mom SUV, the Mercon-V is a better choice.
So, Wavinwayne, definitely use the Mobil-1 ATF. Its an excellent fluid(usually smoother then DexIII) without the possible risk of slippage of certain Mercon-V's. Sorry, I misunderstood your 1st post and thought that you required Mercon-V.
Robbobster, since you have the VB upgrade, any DexronIII, Mercon, or Mercon-V will work since you addressed the weakness in the transmission with the shift kit!
They even have a warning against using certain OEM fluids within certain dates.
Motorcraft RED bottle MerconV is different than Motorcraft black bottle MerconV.
I guess when the OEM is trying to get the cheapest fluid for a given spec, sometimes sh!t happens.
According to the Ford transmission fluid chart, the 1997 and older 4r70w takes Mercon and not MerconV.
The 1998 and newer 4r70w takes Mercon-V.
The 4R100 uses Mercon.
The benefits of Mercon-V over Mercon are shudder control, smoother shifts, better hot/cold performance.
The problem with MerconV in a Mercon transmission is the "less shudder/smoother shift" part, which can lead to transmission slipping. If the Mercon transmission is tired(worn out) or being stressed(towing/racing), it could slip which leads to burnt clutches/bands, high temps, and a toasted transmission.
I find that MerconV works better then Mercon in any application(even the 4R100). But, if there is any slipping, swap fluids back or upgrade the valvebody!
For a normally driven soccer mom SUV, the Mercon-V is a better choice.
So, Wavinwayne, definitely use the Mobil-1 ATF. Its an excellent fluid(usually smoother then DexIII) without the possible risk of slippage of certain Mercon-V's. Sorry, I misunderstood your 1st post and thought that you required Mercon-V.
Robbobster, since you have the VB upgrade, any DexronIII, Mercon, or Mercon-V will work since you addressed the weakness in the transmission with the shift kit!
"Here's a question for you: I've had nothing but great luck with my transmission using Mercon. Even with my upgraded valve body, do you see any compelling reason to switch to, say, Mercon V?
Blown 5.4L Expedition"
The blended synth Mercon-V will keep the transmission/valvebody cleaner then a mineral ATF especially if temperatures rise excessively. The word "blown 5.4L" and your location makes me worry a little. I'd recommend an ATF temp gauge.
If the temp exceeds 180F, then consider:
using the Mercon-V or a full synthetic ATF
additional cooling
extra filtration
a larger capacity ATF pan
If not over 180f, then stick with the Mercon(DexronIII-h) and practice regular fluid replacements.
Blown 5.4L Expedition"
The blended synth Mercon-V will keep the transmission/valvebody cleaner then a mineral ATF especially if temperatures rise excessively. The word "blown 5.4L" and your location makes me worry a little. I'd recommend an ATF temp gauge.
If the temp exceeds 180F, then consider:
using the Mercon-V or a full synthetic ATF
additional cooling
extra filtration
a larger capacity ATF pan
If not over 180f, then stick with the Mercon(DexronIII-h) and practice regular fluid replacements.
No such fluid as Mercon-III.
Ken
You are correct. It's Dexron III/Mercon.
Wow, thanks for the EXCELLENT post! You really answered a lot of questions that I've had about the differences between these fluids. And I had heard that, with a valve body upgrade, I could run MerconV, but no one every told me why.
Here's a question for you: I've had nothing but great luck with my transmission using Mercon. Even with my upgraded valve body, do you see any compelling reason to switch to, say, Mercon V?
Mobil-1 ATF Mercon V - fine ATF instead of Mercon
This is a pretty old thread to be bumping up.
Yep, Mobil1 ATF over the years has been upgraded to Mercon-V status. And, now Ford has approved Mercon-V for all Mercon transmissions too. So, Mobil1 ATF is an excellent choice where Mercon, MerconV, and DexronIII is used in transmissions, power steering systems, transfer cases, and diffs....
Yep, Mobil1 ATF over the years has been upgraded to Mercon-V status. And, now Ford has approved Mercon-V for all Mercon transmissions too. So, Mobil1 ATF is an excellent choice where Mercon, MerconV, and DexronIII is used in transmissions, power steering systems, transfer cases, and diffs....
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