RP Max ATF in Mercon V application

mikep · Oct 6, 2003

RP MaxATF states for use in place of Ford Mercon and GM Dexron III. The 4r70W transmission in my '01 4x4 F150 calls for Mercon V. Probably a stupid question but does that mean the RP MaxATF is a no-no for my truck's transmission?

Looking at just about every single aftermarket ATF it seems they all say Mercon/Dexron and none specifically state Mercon V.....not even Redline.

I'm planning on replacing front/rear diff fluid with RP MaxGear. Also, the transfer case in my truck calls for straight Mercon, not Merc V so I guess I'll replace that with the RP MaxATF.

Mikep

sbc350gearhead · Oct 7, 2003

I think it just means mercon compatible. I don't think it is compatible with mercon V. I would make sure it says mercon V before I used in in my transmission, if I were you.

[ October 07, 2003, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: sbc350gearhead ]

unDummy · Oct 7, 2003

I think that the proprietary fluids are overrated and unknown components supposedly used aren't understood fully.

If you want to use it, go ahead.
If it doesn't shift as smoothly, then you KNOW what you'll have to do. Either add some MerconV additive or change back to a MerconV ATF.

If a warranty issue arises, play dumb and say you always use MerconV. I think that most people have a habit of sticking their foot in their mouth.

crashz · Oct 8, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by unDummy:
I think that the proprietary fluids are overrated and unknown components supposedly used aren't understood fully.

If you want to use it, go ahead.
If it doesn't shift as smoothly, then you KNOW what you'll have to do. Either add some MerconV additive or change back to a MerconV ATF.

If a warranty issue arises, play dumb and say you always use MerconV. I think that most people have a habit of sticking their foot in their mouth.

unDummy,
I respectfully disagree with everything you said.

Mike,
I have changed the fluid in my 01 F150 twice now and can tell you from experience that you should use only Mercon V fluid. From others on a F150 website who tried Mercon Dexron III fluids, they have had serious transmission problems.

In fact from my own experience, I would only use the Motorcarft fluid. I have used Castrol in the past, which performed great until a 25K where it caused erratic shifts. I have about 20K on the Motorcraft stuff now, and its shifting perfectly.
This is one area where I feel the Motorcraft stuff (fluid and filter) are superior to after market.

unDummy · Oct 9, 2003

My experience with Ford is that they have transmission problems regardless of which fluid is used.
Since RP is a synthetic and supposedly better than all those cheap dino fluids, I would hope that it is a better or at least equal to the MerconV in performance. I'll wager that RP is better than some cheapo MerconV.

Crashz, your words weren't too harsh. Many owners just don't change their fluid frequently enough. And, when they do, it is usually too late.
Blaming the fluid is easy.
Blaming the owners abuse, negligence, and manufacturer incompetence is always difficult.

They're great transmission when updated by the aftermarket. They suck rolling off the assembly line.

crashz · Oct 9, 2003

unDummy,

Sorry, in reading my last post it seemed pretty harsh. The reason I said that is because these transmissions are extremely sensitive to the fluid types. People on the F150 board where having a h*ll of a time with the quick lube transmission shops putting the wrong fluid in and grenading the transmissions in 3K.
If I remember right, the seals would swell and cause erratic/no shifting because of stuck valves.
Also Ford is such a pain to deal with when it comes to warranty work as well as their incompetent staff.

Now if these transmissions are treated right, they will last forever...

Brons2 · Oct 13, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by unDummy:
My experience with Ford is that they have transmission problems regardless of which fluid is used.
Since RP is a synthetic and supposedly better than all those cheap dino fluids, I would hope that it is a better or at least equal to the MerconV in performance. I'll wager that RP is better than some cheapo MerconV.

Crashz, your words weren't too harsh. Many owners just don't change their fluid frequently enough. And, when they do, it is usually too late.
Blaming the fluid is easy.
Blaming the owners abuse, negligence, and manufacturer incompetence is always difficult.

They're great transmission when updated by the aftermarket. They suck rolling off the assembly line.

I hate to say it, but in regards to the 4r70w in the F150, you don't know what you are talking about...at all. EVERY person to a man that has reported using regular Mercon in this transmission has experienced shifting problems. You have to use the Mercon V...period. It is friction modified differently than regular Mercon/Dexron 3.

One caveat, you can use Lube Control's Friction Modifier to change regular Mercon (or any other ATF) into Mercon V.

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf_platinum.html

boxcartommie22 · Oct 13, 2003

i use redline d4 and it says on the bottle mercon 5....

boxcartommie22 · Oct 13, 2003

i also add a can of bg's atc additive every transmission change really works great on my 4r70w

digitaldrifter91 · Oct 15, 2003

i also have a 1999 mercury villager that calls for mercon V. i changed out 4 quarts with Valvoline Dexron 3/mercon V fluid. does not really shift the same...this week i have to drain it completly t-tec and then replace it with either a genuine mercon V fluid, or something similar that is ONLY mercon V and not a universal fluid.

maybe cause my fluid i used to fill was universal, thats why its not fully helping my van.

so far this van has 50k on it.

so what is a good fluid for mercon V applications... motorcraft is SOO expensive!

MNgopher · Oct 15, 2003

I never had problems using a regular Mercon fluid in my '97 F150 with the 4R70W. Of course, that was what was originally speced on that model year. The change over to Mercon V occured sometime during the '98 model year.

On my '99 I've only used Mercon V rated fluids (Valvoline Durablend ATF) changed every 30,000 miles.

The transmission on my 97 was fine at 162,000 miles and my '99 is doing well at 90,000 +.

digitaldrifter91 · Oct 16, 2003

do u think there is a disadvantage to run mercon V/Dexron 3 in my van?

or should i find any over the counter product that specifies in Mercon V?

Mark in NY · Oct 23, 2003

Ford stresses not to switch between Mercon and Mercon V fluids in the different trans.
Besides friction properties being different, Mercon-V must flow at a lower temp than Mercon, so (like 5-20 Motorcraft engine oil) it is a synthetic blend.
Pennzoil seems to do a better job for me than Castrol but it is more expensive.

[ October 23, 2003, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: Mark in NY ]

Alex D · Oct 23, 2003

I agree !!! Just look on the www.tccoa.com forum and otehr Ford forums. if you have Mercon V fill, stick with Mercon V, it is already semi-synthetic.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in NY:
Ford stresses not to switch between Mercon and Mercon V fluids in the different trans.
Besides friction properties being different, Mercon-V must flow at a lower temp than Mercon, so (like 5-20 Motorcraft engine oil) it is a synthetic blend.
Pennzoil seems to do a better job for me than Castrol but it is more expensive.

RP Max ATF in Mercon V application

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