I would just change out the fluid if you don't currently know what is in there. You could spend the extra time and money to get the fluid analyzed but if you just change out the fluid its done and over with. I know some folks that never change the fluid and I also know some that change it out every 20k. I think it all depends on how much you use it. It only takes 5-10 minutes to change it.

 

I agree none of it makes sense, but based on the explanation given by the Ford hotline, it still doesn't make any sense. Sure it's a nice, kinda direct answer to the questions, but it's all just a prepared response.

Why would Ford write on all the bottles not for use in transfer cases unless it was important? It's certainly not because the additives in Mercon V just make that fluid too expensive for the couple of quarts it would take.

The only reason a company puts a warning on a product is to either reduce liability by getting out ahead of those who would use the product wrong, or as a direct result of a loss, usually tied to litigation.

 

Chris, your analysis of the behind the scenes meetings and cost/benefits/bad pr/no pr makes the most sense. Company managers overrule engineers frequently until the lawyers weigh in with their opinion. Those of us with unknown fluid or Mercon V would be wise to spend the few bucks to change out the fluid. It could save a future repair down the road. After all, transmissions and transfer cases are not even close to the same animal in terms of types of forces, wear, fluid dynamics etc.

 

Another blown TC that was posted on the super duty & heavy duty side.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...my-t-case.html

 

I put Amsoil ATF into my transfer case after purchasing the truck. Based on what is posted on the Amsoil site, I believe those of us using Amsoil or another 3rd party lubricant that satisfies MERCON rating should be OK. Does this sound right?

Here is the lubricant rating taken directly from the AMSOIL site.

AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF is recommended for transmissions, hydraulics, power steering systems and other applications that require any of the following specifications: Ford MERCON®, MERCON® V, ESP-M2C166-H

 

I'm also running Amsoil and sticking with it. If you are worried about it, pull a sample.

 

I plan to stick with Amsoil, but did not mind having peace of mind as well. Although, I was attempting to answer the question for all of the others that have used a 3rd party lubricant, be it Mobil, penzoil, etc...

 

All of his video's seem to be private now. I had saved the links to some very informative ones that I wished to access for future reference for my other Fords as well. It looks like "the plug has been pulled". I can't access any of them.

 

Well, The plot thickens. My 6 Year Old was home sick today so we did some running around. On the way, I picked up an Oil Filter and went to Jiffy Lube where one of my friends work (he charges me half price $40 for Rotella 15-40).

So, I mention the fluid changes by Ford for the Transaxle. He says Yup, we been doing it for about a year. We got an bulletin from corporate. I say can I see the it? He says sure, we go in and pull up their bulletins from their corporate office and it says:

Discontinue the use of MERCON-V additive in all Ford Transfer Cases. Refer the customer to Ford (Motorcraft Part Number XL-12 Transfer Case Fluid). That was March 2013. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE AT THIS TIME.

Reference communication XXXXXXX, Inform Customers of the new requirements (it is now added to computer base archives for Ford Vehicles), Inform the customer you will be using Dexron II/III Equivalent Base Stock until delivery of Motorcraft XL-12 or equivalent. July 2013

We looked up my truck and it said ATTENTION IN RED LETTERS followed by: XL-12. So they updated their database.

The last communications was November 2013 stating a stock code for Jiffy Lube for ordering and will become available in early 2014.

So, while I had dismissed this, I went a head and had him change it too while I was there for $20.00

Better safe than sorry I guess.

He said he had heard nothing about the issue other than the fluid change. However, the first communication was marked "URGENT".

 

I am sticking with Amsoil. I plow with the truck so I plan on changing it out yearly. Only takes a few qts and a few minutes.

Matt

 

Why would you run 65 mph with the hubs locked in?

 

I have many passes over 65 mph while at the track and suffered no transfer case/hub damage. Guess I was lucky.
I used only Dexron III/Mercon in both my transfer case and transmission until I switched to Mobil1 Synthetic Multi Vehicle formula several years ago.
Over 200k miles on the OEM hubs and transfer case without even so much as a seal change.

 

While I certainly don't make it a habit to do that, I have done it before. I will lock the hubs in when it's snowing so I don't have to stop and get out in case I need the 4x4. And there are times I forget to unlock them. I know guys that leave the hubs locked in all winter.

 

I fought with my stock hubs for years. They would workfine(ie sunny warm afternoon) until I needed them to work( cold snowy airport at midnight). I always had to get out and rotate the axle shaft to get them to engage or release. It seems to me that these failures point to something binding in the front axle and the aluminum case is the weak link in the chain that takes impact. I could be wrong but
I doubt fluid type has much to do with this. Just for the record, I run Mobil 1 in mine as well. Change it out every spring, whether it needs it or not!

 

A weird habit of mine is to look at the front axle shaft u joint spin on oncoming superdutys in traffic. Im not sure on just how much is parasitic drag or hubs that stuck with the owners that are unaware. The first thing I look at on these trucks for a report of poor MPG is a stuck front hub. Very common failure.