I just bought some Motorcraft Mercon V for my explorer's transmission. It says on the bottle not for transfer cases. What is supposed to be used in the transfer case? The manual calls for Mercon, but Ford discontinued it.. I know there are "meets" mercon spec oils out there, but what is the official word on this from Ford. Any info??

 

Interesting. Is it an electric "push button" or manual lever-type tcase? The electric one does contain a clutch and maybe that is the reason. If you have the manual one, any ATF does the same lubricating job and has the about same viscosity so it really doesnt matter.

 

The 04' Explorer has auto push button 4wd, no manual 4X4 was offered. You can still get Mercon/DextronIII ATF in the stores. It will not be Motorcraft but so what. I have some Castrol Mercon/DextronIII on hand and put Amsoil ATF in my trucks transfer case which is somewhat universal. Mobil also makes a similar synthetic ATF that meets the Mercon/DextronIII requirements.

 

The "official" word from Ford can be found here:

FCSD Chemicals and Lubricants

The Workshop manual for the 2004 Explorer specified Mercon for the transfer case. Since Ford has issued a blanket statement to use Mercon V for all applications where Mercon was previously specified, the correct fluid for your application is Mercon V.

 

Thanks for the replies. Just curious why Motorcraft contradicts itself. When I change my transfer case oil, I will probably use whatever atf & have.

 

I notice those Motorcraft lube charts do not contain any transfer case information. OT: CVT and dual clutch transmissions are very different animals than conventional automatics. I wonder how many are going to be damaged by owners or unqualified shops using the wrong fluids. Honda cant keep its CVT's alive even with the correct fluid.

 

Honestly I don't think Ford really cares. Just so the vehicle makes it out of the warrenty period without any issues. It appears to me what Ford did with the 5w20 TSB and Mercon V TSB was to reduce inventory.

 

Ford has a specific "transfer case " fluid but it is pricey at $12/qt. All it is is Mercon III. When Ford discontinued merc III they didn't test transfer cases for merc V. I guess they figured it wasn't cost effective. I have put merc V in transfer cases and haven't had any problems.

 

The correct fluid for Ford 4 wheel drive transfer cases is now Motorcraft XL-12

Transfer Case Fluid

The cost at Tousley Ford Parts is $6.60 per quart

Tousley Ford Parts Depot

 

It goes back to the original question and what is so special about a Borg Warner chain drive transfer case that it needs a special lubricant and not just any ATF. Its like when Ford owners manuals still called for Type F in power steering systems decades after Mercon came out for transmissions. It was lazyness or no budget in engineering and a CYA attitude. Mercon was eventually approved. At least they didnt come out with a more expensive "special" fluid for PS systems, like Honda.