I'm saying 2005 & up here 'cause I'm not sure what was different with 2004's and older.

The spec in my 2006 Owners Manual for a Transfer Case fluid change says 2.0 QT's of MERCON ATF.

I'm well aware that MERCON ATF is no longer produced by Motorcraft; so I'm off to the Dealer and pick up what I "assumed" would be the replacement ... 2.0 QT's of MERCON V ATF.

I get home and glance over the back label of the Mercon V bottle and it states "Do not use in transfer cases". So I'm like, .

So I do some research, along with reviewing the Owner Manual's of 2008 & 2009 models, and Ford now specifies Motorcraft XL-12 Transfer Case Fluid. Mercon V IS NOT compatiable in the Transfer Case!!

Has any other pre-2008 owners ran into this? I can't find a specific Ford statement for the earlier models ... but you would think they would at-least advise folk pre-2008 owners that there's a new spec now that plain 'ole Mercon is out ... especially with a bunch of inept parts folk handing customers Mercon V when it clearly has the do not use statement on the label.

 

I put Amsoil ATF in my 05, and haven't had any problems. Its been in for over 20,000 miles now.

 

Ya I used Royal Purple ATF in my T-case.
~Gage~

 

I've had problems myself with confused service people in AutoZone in regards to transfer case fluids in my 2009 Ford F-250. Would Mobil 1 ATF fluid be fine in this case?

 

Ford doesn't allow Mercon V in the transfer case, yet no longer makes or licenses the Mercon name, hence Transfer Case Fluid.

As for Mercon V I wouldn't worry about it, the transfer case doesn't care.

Otherwise look for a Mercon/Dexron III spec fluid. The Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid is a rip off

Josh