Merton v and lv
 

There is no multi-vehicle ATF that I would use in both transmissions. The only multi-vehicle ATF I'd use is Amsoil or Mobil 1. Amsoil has separate products for those 2 applications, and Mobil 1 does not have a LV-compatible product.

For the 2000:

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=ATFQT-EA

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=OTFQT-EA

https://mobiloil.com/en/automatic-tr.../synthetic-atf

For the 2013:

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=ATLQT-EA

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=OTLQT-EA

Otherwise, use Motorcraft.

The applications information for Mercon LV explicitly states not to use it in vehicles for which Mercon V is specified (except for two named exceptions, the 5R110 and the 4F27e). See https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...ission%20Fluid and https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...kref/atfUS.pdf

I'm not much of a snob when it comes to aftermarket brands including potential multi-vehicle applications. If the manufacturer either has a license from Ford or is otherwise standing behind the product to meet or exceed Ford's specifications, then I consider those products as viable substitutes and may select based on price and availability.

FWIW, I have noticed that brands offering Mercon V fluids are really losing shelf space at the B&M retail level. Walmart is down to 1 qt bottles of their SuperTech brand, Oreilly's is only carrying a Castrol Mercon V as well as a house-branded multi-vehicle fluid that claims Mercon V compatibility. Autozone has the Castrol product, Mobil 1 Synthetic, and an STP licensed compatible. Advance has the Castrol and a house-branded (CarQuest) compatible.

That multi-vehicle from O'reilly's has kind of piqued my interest. I wonder if anyone has done an independent VOA on it to see if it meets Mercon V specs?

The 5R110W requires MERCON SP, not MERCON V. MERCON V will destroy the solenoids in a 5R110W.

Thanks for catching that, I overlooked that aspect.

Mercon V and Mercon LV are not interchangeable. Do not substitute one for the other, decide to "upgrade" your Mercon V to Mercon LV, or mix them.

You should be fine as long as the label specifies that it is Mercon V or Mercon LV. There may be more expensive brands like Amsoil, Royal Purple, Red Line, Lucas Oil......contact them first, and verify that you can use their formulation in your transmission. I've seen a lot of different Brands selling Mercon V, Mercon LV, and "low viscosity" transmission fluid.

I've never heard of a failure caused by using another brand of Mercon V. I have heard of transmission failures when people use "multi-vehicle ATF" or some other ATF spec. I have used Mercon V from various manufacturers, and they all worked. Even Wal*Mart SuperTech brand Mercon V will work, because it's still Mercon V.

Mercon LV is "low viscosity" transmission fluid. Some brands sell a formulation which is labeled for Dexron VI and Mercon LV. Some brands sell a formulation which is labeled "Low Viscosity" or "LV" without the term "Mercon". In theory, these should all be fine. In practice, stick to fluid which is labeled "Mercon LV".

I've personally used products from boutique brands in different cars without issue I had the money, and at the time, I could afford it. . But with 20/20 hindsight, I don't think I would spend the extra money anymore. I don't think you get any better results with boutique automotive fluids. At least not with a stock engine & transmission.


What you want to stay away from is the stuff at chain lube shops & over-the-counter ATF. Common sense should tell you that different cars have different ATF, with different formulations blended for their specific transmissions. If it were possible for 1 formula to work in every car, and work better than what the manufacturer specifies, then every car would just use that multi-vehicle ATF. Common sense tells you that there is no way that 1 formula works for everything. Same way we don't have 1-size-fits-all shoes.