I just returned from my local Ford dealership with 14 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon V. The salesman assured me that it was a "full synthetic" ATF. Oh yeah, and he also said the normal retail price was $6.99 a quart, but he'd sell it to me for $3.38. Anyway, the word "synthetic" is mysteriously missing from the bottles and the case. Did I just get hosed? Or is this stuff truly synthetic?

 

I think the Motorcraft Mercon V is a synthetic blend, not a fully sythetic transmission fluid. I don't think he meant to hose you. He's just misinformed. Motorcraft ATF is a high quality transmission fluid.

 

Here is a comment that explains it well:

"There's nothing special about Mercon-V other than the fact that its a group III synthetic ATF designed as a band-aid fix for shudder issues due to overheating tranny fluid which messes up the torque converter, and some friction modifiers that makes the shifting smoother - not a bad deal at all."

Group III oils are not true synthetics, but due to a court case that Mobil lost they can be labeled as a systhetic.

Another comment:

"IIRC, the 95 Vics that had 4R70Ws were spec'd to use Mercon but then the shudder issue bit Ford in the a$$. So they released Mercon-V ASAP. In essence, the 4R70W is the AODE with a wider gear ratio set and some variances in parts, orifice diameters, etc... The AODE was Mercon friendly."

Here is the source which has a lot of good discussion.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...;f=16;t=000139

 

Hmm...interesting. I asked a local place that was really cool (they did a full check over on my truck for free) what they did for their trans. service with trans. requiring Mercon V. They said they used Dexron III with an additive to bring it to Mercon V specs. The oil forum had this quote:

You can use Dexron-III/Mercon in a Mercon-V application. I.e. Mobil 1 ATF (Dex3/Merc) will work fine in a Ford 4R70W (which calls for Mercon-V).

I was a little dubious when they said they used a "mix" since I hear so many lies, uninformed statements from places...but I guess they were on the level.

It actually sounds like a Dex3/Merc mix would be better than Mercon V, since the mix would be fully synthetic.

 

Jono, I did the same thing, and completely overlooked that point. I just refused to have them change my fluid, and went right to the dealer.

I still think the group III synthetic is a better choice. I would be interested in running Amsoil full synthetic though. I was thinking of buying the Amsoil and paying half the price of a T-Tec to have them flush it in for me.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I figured it wasn't a full synthetic from the missing nomenclature. Anyway, I changed the transmission fluid and put in a new filter yesterday. The good news is, the old fluid,which according to the previous owner was also Motorcraft Mercon 5, was in good shape (no discoloration or burnt oder). I was a little worried because I tow a 22' foot camp trailer into the hills about six times a year, but it looks like everything's cool.

 

I got the same Motorcraft Mercon V transmission fluid in Washington for $3.38 per quart. That is what I used when I changed my tranny fluid last month. I was not having any trouble and it was shifting well so I used Motorcraft oil.

 

Motorcraft offers MERCON® V & Synthetic Blend MERCON® V.


MERCON® V Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid

• Motorcraft® MERCON® V is a premium-quality automatic transmission fluid designed, engineered and recommended by Ford Motor Company for use in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles that require either MERCON® V or MERCON® type fluid. This product also provides excellent performance in electronically controlled automatic transmissions.
• Motorcraft® MERCON® V is manufactured with high-viscosity index, premium-quality, hydroprocessed base oils and specially designed performance additives, which provide excellent shifting characteristics at high and low ambient temperatures, excellent thermal and oxidation resistance and good low temperature fluidity. It provides wear protection and inhibits the formation of gum, sludge, lacquer and foam. It also provides protection against rust and corrosion. It is dyed red for ease of leak detection.
• Do not use in applications where MERCON® SP, MERCON® LV, Continuously Variable Chain Type Transmission Fluid, Motorcraft® Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid, FNR5 Automatic Transmission Fluid or Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid is recommended, or in transfer cases.
• Motorcraft® MERCON® V is suitable for use as a hydraulic oil in a wide variety of industrial applications that call for an ISO 46 or SAE 20W viscosity grade hydraulic oil
• Refer to the Motorcraft® MERCON® V specification sheet at www.motorcraft.com and www.fmcdealer.dealerconnection.com for additional information. For MSDS information call 1-800-448-2063
• Note: MERCON® V Automatic Transmission Fluid is available in bulk quantities at substantial savings. Use of bulk oil products is environmentally proactive. Contact your FCSD Aftermarket Account Manager, an approved Motorcraft® Bulk Oil Distributor, or www.Motorcraft.com for details.

Synthetic Blend MERCON® V Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid

• Motorcraft Synthetic Blend MERCON® V Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid is a high-quality automatic transmission fluid approved and recommended by Ford Motor Company. It was developed for use in the newer electronically controlled automatic transmissions built after 1989 and power steering systems built after 1998 requiring MERCON® V or MERCON® fluid
• Motorcraft Synthetic Blend MERCON® V Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluid is formulated with high-viscosity index, premium-quality, synthetic/hydroprocessed base oils and specially designed performance additives. It is specifically formulated to provide improved shifting characteristics at high and low ambient temperatures, excellent thermal and oxidation resistance, and good low temperature fluidity. It provides wear protection and inhibits the formation of gum, sludge, lacquer, and foam. It also provides protection against rust and corrosion
• It is especially effective in applications where high temperatures are a concern. Due to its excellent thermal, oxidative, and shear stability, this fluid is required in manual transmission applications such as Mustang with G1 manual transmissions and F/Eseries with TR 3650 and ZF S5-47 manual transmissions
• Formulated for powersteering systems to provide excellent low temperature fluidity as well as improved high temperature thermal stability for use in extreme conditions in all seasons
• Do not use in applications where MERCON® LV, MERCON® SP, Continously Variable Chain Type Transmission Fluid, Motorcraft® Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid, FNR5 Automatic Transmission Fluid or Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid is recommended

 

And why did we dredge up a 6 year old thread?

 

Why not?

 

It was good info for me now that I'm due to change the ATF in my truck

 

6 years later.
Different forum member.
Same question.

 

Is there a point or are you just being difficult?

 

Just in time for too....!

 

I looked on the door tag and under TR is a E. What kind of transmission do I have? The guy at Checkers gave me Mercon V is this right? The dip stick says only Mercon on it. I already changed my transmisson fuild by just dropping the pan and replaced it with 6 qts of Mercon V. I hope this does not mess anything up I did not know there were two types.

1998 Ford F 150
V8 5.7 Liter