Valvoline/Mercon V

[James Morse]

In the '97 the spec is for Mercon V (plus some letters).
Trans fluid looks clean, level looks not low if anything maybe high.
I got a quart of Valvoline it says it is ok for all Mercon applications. I wanted to have it on hand in case I lost trans fluid when changing out the rad. People say I will hardly lose any, so I might not even need it.
Here is question: absent finding the specific Mercon type in my manual, is there any issue with mixing the Valvoline with what's in there? I would assume it would be fine but wanted to check with you all. Thanks.

 

[superj]

i have always had to use the most recent version of transmission fluids because i could never find the III or IV or whatever i needed at the time and i never had any troubles.

 

[James Morse]

OK good. I have to admit I didn't search far for the 'real thing', there probably is a Ford replacement out there. Thanks, that makes me feel ok about it if I need to use any.

 

[DILLARD000]

Use MerconV compliant\compatible ATF in 4r55e\5r55e Transmissions.
Use MerconLV compliant\compatible ATF in 1354 TransferCases.
The original Mercon ATF (no longer made\sold) was once spec'd for both 4r\5r Trannies & the 1354 TransferCase,
then after some conflicting\confused specs & costly damage to TransferCases, in the 2000s Ford switched to specifying
MerconV for 4r55e\5r55e Transmissions,
MerconLV for 1354 TransferCases.

 

[4x4junkie]

In the '97 the spec is for Mercon V (plus some letters).
Trans fluid looks clean, level looks not low if anything maybe high.
I got a quart of Valvoline it says it is ok for all Mercon applications. I wanted to have it on hand in case I lost trans fluid when changing out the rad. People say I will hardly lose any, so I might not even need it.
Here is question: absent finding the specific Mercon type in my manual, is there any issue with mixing the Valvoline with what's in there? I would assume it would be fine but wanted to check with you all. Thanks.

It's just "Mercon V".
Mercon V fluid is readily available anywhere such fluids are sold. You should have no trouble at all finding it. I wouldn't suggest mixing Mercon with Mercon V though (and definitely not vice-versa in a stickshift).

Use MerconV compliant\compatible ATF in 4r55e\5r55e Transmissions.
Use MerconLV compliant\compatible ATF in 1354 TransferCases.
The original Mercon ATF (no longer made\sold) was once spec'd for both 4r\5r Trannies & the 1354 TransferCase,
then after some conflicting\confused specs & costly damage to TransferCases, in the 2000s Ford switched to specifying
MerconV for 4r55e\5r55e Transmissions,
MerconLV for 1354 TransferCases.

Mercon is still available aftermarket (and is usually sold under "Dex/Merc" branding), you just can't get it at a Ford dealer anymore is all.

It would appear 1997 is the year Ford switched the recommendation to Mercon V (from Mercon) for the 4R44E automatic (same year the 5R55E was introduced).

 

[DILLARD000]

Yep, good info; wasn't sure what year Ford stopped making\selling original Mercon ATF; think that was mid 2000s.
Used MerconV in this 2001 5r55e for most of its life, switched from Valvoline to AmsOil a couple of years ago;
6mth routine is handpump ~1qt from Tranny DipTube, refill with fresh ATF.

 

[James Morse]

So you are just taking a portion of the old fluid out and refilling.
You don't flush the trans lines to cooler etc Ford talks about that in the manual.
If you did everything for inspections and maintenance in the manuals, the chance of a breakdown would probably be close to 0%.

 

[wildbill23c]

So you are just taking a portion of the old fluid out and refilling.
You don't flush the trans lines to cooler etc Ford talks about that in the manual.
If you did everything for inspections and maintenance in the manuals, the chance of a breakdown would probably be close to 0%.

Yes, just drop the transmission pan, change the filter, and fill it back up to the full mark with Mercon V. Don't do that flushing stuff that causes all sorts of problems, pushes debris back up through your valve body, and other tiny passageways in the transmission and typically clogs stuff up and it'll usually lead to a failed transmission. Just don't try and take all the bolts out of the transmission pan or you'll have quite the mess, I think its about 6-8 quarts of fluid that you'll end up draining and replacing, but buy 2-3 of the 5 quart jugs and you'll be set. Most importantly don't skip replacing the filter, you are already in that far replace it, they're pretty reasonably priced, especially if you buy them from Rock Auto...and I'm sure someone or several people on here have some 5% off codes they could post or PM you.

 

[bcschief]

Basically, Mercon is Dextron in the 70s Ford called it type CJ then the name became Mercon when it became synthetic Ford originally called it Synthetic Mercon then they changed the name to Mercon V. Some of the newer fluids Like Mercon LV and SP are different. And the old type F is also completely different.

 

[Josh B]

Now I'm good and confused. I wanted to drain the bottom layer out of mine to check for debris and other works of art, and cap it back before losing that much of the fluid.
So today I picked up a quart of Mercon V, and now for the life of me I cannot know for sure what fluid it was said to use in it last time. It is the same M50 that came in it.

So if I pour the Mercon V in it with the rest what will that do to it? I'm hoping to get a frankenstein transmission built in the next month or so. A cousin who works at Ford and has his own shop too is coming to get it this weekend

 

[racsan]

my latest rockauto % off code:

 

[superj]

i think everyone got that email. i got it last night too

 

[Josh B]

Basically, Mercon is Dextron in the 70s Ford called it type CJ then the name became Mercon when it became synthetic Ford originally called it Synthetic Mercon then they changed the name to Mercon V. Some of the newer fluids Like Mercon LV and SP are different. And the old type F is also completely different.

Thanks for this. The options I've found are a
Dexron-VI Mercon LV in one bottle and a MerconV in another

This is what the manual says use.......
Motorcraft MERCON° Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or - DDX (E4XZ-19582-B) or Equivalent
........but I have absolutely no idea where to find any such as it

 

[sgtsandman]

Last time I did a fluid change on the transmission, I had to go to the dealer or pay through the nose for an online order.

I’ve found the actual Motorcraft Mercon V to shift smoother than the offerings by Valvoline and Castrol. Toward the end of the 30,000 mile change interval, I was having issues getting the transmission into 1st and Reverse with the aftermarket stuff.