I did a fluid change 4 years ago - at 67K. It's about 30K later now. I used Castrol Domestic multi-vehicle and drained both pan and TC.

Should I use Castrol again? I don't recall if I did much research on the choice of Castrol last time around. The specs say Mercon, not Mercon V.

 

The specs were changed back in '06.

Mercon V is what you want.

Stewart

 

TSB
06-14-4 MERCON ATF IS BEING REPLACED BY MERCON V ATF AS A SERVICE FLUID.

Publication Date: June 29, 2006

FORD: 1980-1997 Crown Victoria
1981-1997 Mustang, Thunderbird
1981-2003 Escort
1986-1993 Festiva
1986-1997 Taurus
1989-1997 Probe
1994-1997 Aspire
1995-2000 Contour
1980-1996 Bronco
1981-2003 F-150
1981-2004 E-Series, F-Super Duty
1983-1996 Ranger
1986-1996 Aerostar
1991-1997 Explorer
1993-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis
1995-1998 Windstar
1997-2004 Expedition
2000-2005 Excursion
2001-2007 Escape
1987-2000 F- & B-Series
2000-2007 F-650, F-750
LINCOLN: 1980-1997 Town Car
1981-1997 Continental
1993-1997 Mark VIII
1998-2004 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood
MERCURY: 1980-1997 Grand Marquis
1981-1997 Cougar
1986-1997 Sable
1987-1999 Tracer
1995-2000 Mystique
1999-2002 Cougar
1993-2002 Villager
1997 Mountaineer
2005-2007 Mariner
MERKUR: 1985-1989 XR4TI

This article supersedes TSB 01-15-7 to update the vehicle application chart.

ISSUE:
MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid is being replaced by MERCON® V as a service fluid.

ACTION:
Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCON® can now be serviced using MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid will no longer be manufactured, therefore, availability of this fluid will only continue for however long it takes to deplete what remains in inventory.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Service automatic transmissions requiring MERCON® with MERCON® V or MERCON® Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids labeled MERCON® / MERCON® V

For proper fluid application on current and past model vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions / transaxles refer to the fluid usage chart. (Figure 1)

CAUTION: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS / TRANSAXLES THAT REQUIRE MERCON® V SHOULD STILL ONLY USE MERCON® V OR DUAL USAGE FLUID LABELED MERCON® / MERCON® V.

CAUTION: MERCON® SP, MOTORCRAFT PREMIUM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND MOTORCRAFT M5 ATFS ARE UNIQUE FLUIDS AND MUST BE USED IN APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDING THAT PARTICULAR FLUID. USE OF ANY OTHER FLUID MAY CAUSE REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY OR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.

CAUTION: THE FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLUIDS FOR CVT TRANSMISSIONS ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THOSE OF OTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (ATFS). USE OF A FLUID OTHER THAN MOTORCRAFT CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE CHAIN TYPE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ONE LABELED AS MEETING MERCON® C WILL CAUSE FUNCTIONALITY CONCERNS AND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.

CAUTION: DO NOT USE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPLEMENTS, ADDITIVES, TREATMENTS OR CLEANING AGENTS.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
XT-2-QDX MERCON® (Quart)
XT-2-DDX MERCON® (55 Gal. Drum)
XT-5-QM MERCON® V (Quart)
XT-5-DM MERCON® V (55 Gal. Drum)

WARRANTY STATUS:
Information Only
------------------------------

Stewart

 

Hey Stewart, What about fluids that say that they are compatible with Mercon V? Are those safe to use on the 4R's and 5R's? I know that you are not a tranny expert, but what have you read? I guess I/we could ask Mark K (retired Ford Tranny Engineer) over on the Superduty's.

Scott

 

I won't use any kind of universal fluid or a "compatible with" trans fluid.

I use Merc V. I won't even use Dex III/Merc fluid because as Mark stated to me in PM's one time, "Ford and GM no longer license Dexron III/MERCON. Nobody is watching what's in them. MERCON V is licensed by Ford so there is some monitoring the fluid."

That was good enough for me!

Stewart

 

That works. Thanks Stewart.

I will throw this out there also: Can or should we use the same Merc V for the power steering? I am thinking that it would be the way to go, but the owners manual does not specify.

It says:

 

My 2000 Excursion book says specifically Mercon, and NOT Mercon V.

Something smells -- why would Ford say "whatever you do, don't use Mercon V" and then later say "whatever you do use Mercon V"

Environmental issues? Thinking this is not a mechanical or fluid dynamics issue.

 

NEVER use MERCON V in a 5R110 transmission. It will kill all seven solenoids, and you don't want to know what it cost to replace all of them.

No, it was the cost of maintaining and licensing two different fluids. MERCON V was changed in 2006 to be compatible with all transmissions that used MERCON. What Ford didn't do was go into your glove compartment and change your owner's manual.

Nobody makes a DEXRON III/MERCON fluid any longer. Read carefully, the label says for use where DEXRON III/MERCON fluid is specified. It no longer says it is DEXRON III/MERCON because GM doesn't license the production of DEXRON III and Ford doesn't license the production of MERCON. Who is monitoring the properties of those fluids now? Nobody. Ford tests all fluids that have a MERCON V label.

 

Mark - so what should I use in my 2000 V10 Excursion? I'm not even sure what tranny I have.

 

As always Mark, Thanks for your input.

That's right, I forgot my '04 F350 was Mercon SP = 5R110 and MerconV = 4R100

Ford pulls the plug on Mercon: LUBE REPORT: Ford Pulls the Plug on Mercon

Get the latest Owners Manual here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

 

Updated owner's manual via link above still shows Mercon (not V) for the 2000 Excursion

 

Your right for the most part. It really doesn't specify clearly. In a 2000, you will have the 4R100 (2000-2005 Excursions)

Look on page 206

 

Chart on page 205 shows MERCON with note 5.

Note 5 wording on page 206 says..

Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCON and MERCON V. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCON type
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCON V type fluid.
MERCON and MERCON V type fluids are not interchangeable.
DO NOT mix MERCON and MERCON V. Use of a transmission
fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCON and MERCON V) in
an automatic transmission application requiring MERCON may
cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.

 

Yeah, it is goofy. I would think that Ford would update all the owners manuals every couple of years to make sure that the owners have the latest information. Instead they rely on owners to go to a dealer to get informed I guess. What a disservice to the motorheads that love their Fords that avoid stealerships.

 

Hey, but at the end of the day, I'm just asking what fluid I should use in my next change. I used Castrol Domestic Multi-Vehicle last time around. I just want to make sure what I put in this time is agreeable. I do plan to drain both pan and TC, but still don't want to be mixing "baking soda and vinegar".