I went to my local Ford dealer to buy some Motorcraft Mercon/Dexron III. Motorcraft does NOT make it anymore. They make a multi use transmission fluid that can be used in Ford vehicles that require Mercon/Dexron III or Mercon V. I am a little leary about using this in the CD4E transmission since he told me this fluid contains additives and may be partly synthetic based. The CD4E transmission does not like synthetic base fluids from what I read. Why does Ford constantly make detrimental changes in their products? The Escape automatic transmission uses Mercon/ Dexron III natural based oils, I would think this new fluid would cause problems in the Escape CD4E trans.

Should I just get a different brand of Dexron III/Mercon without any additives like this new Motorcraft trans fluid?

UPDATE: This guy I talked to at the Ford Dealership parts dept. is as full of crap as a Christmas turkey. Ford makes a multipurpose transmission fluid that is still Mercon/Dexron III ONLY...Ford does not call it Dexron III/Mercon, they call it Multi Purpose Transmission Fluid...This guy was steering me in the wrong direction...

 

Sounds like he was trying to sell you whatever he had. There's been enough problems reported concerning the use of Mercon V in the CD4E that I would not use it. Besides, the owners manual, my dipstick, and a Ford AT chart that I have, all specify Mercon and warn against mixing Mercon and Mercon V. Dexron III/Mercon is readily available in a number of different name brands, as well as house brands. Last time I changed my fluid, I used Supertech.

 

I use Pennzoils version of plain Dexron III/Mercon. My 02 and 05 Escape manuals stated in bold print to use plain Dexron III/Mercon. There's a reason for this as stated.

 

Where have you read that the CD4E does not like syn. oil?

 

a lot of misinformation in here. mercon v is not a FULL SYN oil. besides that fact its not the synthetic part that hurts the trans its the friction modifiers used in mercon v that hurts mercon applications.

 

Ford Special Service Message 16896:

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES 16896
2001-2004 ESCAPE USE ONLY 'MERCON' -- NOT 'MERCON V' OR 'MERCON SYNTHETIC' FOR THE CD4E TRANSMISSION ALL 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CD4E AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE EXCLUSIVELY USE 'MERCON' FLUID -- NOT 'MERCON V' OR 'MERCON SYNTHETIC'. MERCON IS THE ONLY FORD APPROVED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID FOR USE IN THE CD4E. MERCON FLUID PART # IS XT-2-QDX (QUARTS) AND XT-2-DDX (55 GALLON DRUM). FOR CANADA MERCON FLUID PART # IS CXT-2-BM FOR BULK, CXT-2-4LM FOR 4 LITRE BOTTLES, AND CXT-2-LM12 FOR 1 LITRE BOTTLES.


Do not use synthetic Dexron III/Mercon in the CD4E transmission. Use Dexron III/Mercon made from natural oil. The is a case where the cheapest is better, no additives or inhibitors added, the trans does not like those things.

If there is misinformation here, just wondering where? Thanks..

 

Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Mercon and Mercon V are not interchangeable.

The above is stated on pages 278 and 281 of the 05 Owner's Guide. The schedule on page 280 calls for "Mercon". My 02 Escape guide was similar. While Ford doesn't state synthetics or what specific element exists in Mercon V that causes issues, plain Mercon (a non-synthetic) is the requirement.

 

In the owners guide of the 2005 escape it does not say anything about non-synthetic mercon.

 

Okay....

So,...are you making a statement or asking a question?


My 2003 Escape with the same transmission (CD4E) manual says to use MERCON in the tranny.....

Doesn't say Mercon OR Mercon Synthetic, just says MERCON. They also give a part number also XT-2-QDX, which is plain MERCON.

I think I know what you are trying to convey...it doesn't say NOT to use MERCON synthetic, but then again it doesn't you could either..

The part number and Ford requirement number will tell you that the recommended fluid is plain MERCON, whick is sold as Dexron-III/Mercon...

 

I think synthetic mercon will work beter.

 

My 02 Escape has "USE MERCON V" on the dipstick handle! So I should not use it?

New to the Escape!
Rod

 

That's right, you should not use it. Did you read the Ford Special Service Message above? Some early Escapes had the wrong type of fluid printed on the dipstick handle and/or engraved on the dipstick itself. Ford issued TSB's and Special Service Messages about their mistake. The CD4E transmission in ALL Ford Escapes require regular (not synthetic) Dexron-III/Mercon ONLY...

You can do a search on the internet for this information if you want, and find tons of info on this....regular cheap Dexron-III/Mercon is the only fluid recommended by Ford for use in the CD4E transmission. Period. End of story...

 

actually the ford spec is Ford M2C138-CJ . As long as the fluid meets or exceeds that spec it will work fine.It does not matter if its a PAO or GPII basestock. But i would not waste money on a expensive synthetic in these trans as its overkill.