Shopped around for the best price on Mercon V ATF. I purchased 15 quarts of NAPA PREMIUM PERFORMANCE ATF having asked for Merc V to do the change on my '01 (4.6l 4R7OW)

My question: Is there a difference between "automatic transmission fluid for MERCON V Fluid applications" (description on the quart bottle) and "MERCON V Fluid"? I know that "MERCON" is a spec (registered to Ford) and its use varies in appearance on ATF labels depending on the manufacturer.

Am I OK using this stuff or do I exchange it for the cheapest brand that actually calls itself "MERCON V"?

It really pisses me off when I see a label like this that reads like it was written by a legal dept.

 

If the 15 quarts you purchased is universal fluid, then yes there is a difference between it and Mercon V.

 

The NAPA product label does not call it universal fluid.

Its description states: "Recommended for most Ford vehicles including Lincoln and Mercury except those specifying MERCON SP, MERCON LV, or type F fluids".

Sure sounds like the right stuff. The "meets or exceeds performance specifications" language is what is missing. I think this ATF is going back.

 

They should have some atf specifically marked Mercon V.

 

Not to sure about the differences. But knowing these trucks are prone to having trans problems, I usually put up that little bit extra coin for stealership fluid or AMS fluid. It would be sad to here your preventative maintenance shortened your trans life.

 

Turns out that the NAPA product is manufactured by Valvoline.

Valvoline swears up and down that MERCON V specifications are met or exceeded by the product under the NAPA label, but has no control over that labeling. All that Valvoline could due was apologize that the specification language is vague and state that they stand behind the NAPA product. I got the feeling that I was given sound technical advice by Valvoline customer service, but returned the ATF anyway.

 

Post deleted.

 

I did my entire trans, converter and transfer case at 80k miles with Autozone brand Mercon V. Its at 105k now 2 years later and has not missed a single beat. I am probably going to flush it all out again in the spring and do the j-mod to the valve body while its out. The Autozone stuff goes on sale from time to time, I got it for $3/qt.

 

This is a great heads-up. Almost worth buying a complete change inventory of ATF at that price.

FWIW: The flush procedure in the link below is detailed with great pictures.

https://sites.google.com/site/fordf1...nge-procedures

 

I used AAP brand regular mercon for my 04 Navigator. It too was $3/qt and running great.

 

I shopped for Merc V since December to find a price break. Checked AZ, Pep Boys, Napa, AAP, etc on the web from time to time as I was looking to do the flush in the spring. Never did find a $3/quart deal.

When it's time to flush the tranny on my E350, I'll look harder. The savings on 16 quarts of ATF would pay for a new filter, pizza and beer.

 

I can't recall ever seeing it below $5 myself.

 

Daughter turning 16 and has drivers permit for a while. Figured it was as important to teach her preventive maintenance as well. We alternate between our 02 SL2 with 99.5K miles and the Beast, our 97 Expy EB with 206K miles. We bought the Beast at 186K and it had been babied. Towed a boat occassionally but the daily drive was a 30 one way commute. Previous owners kept all maintenance records.

Last trans fluid/filter change was 170K. Realized we were stretching it out so I ordered the filter...Ebay 5 bucks, 12 for shipping...and confirmed that it was the correct one. Got the trans fluid from Advance auto, 2 gallons.

Got the daughter some kinda sweaty and greasy, but she soldiered on. Had her put down the drain pan, and figure out which socket she needed to fit the oil drain bolt. She drained that easily, but got a little messy with the filter under the bumper ( told her that it was gonna spill a little bit because it was horizontally attached). showed her to place new oil on gasket and replace filter hand tight. She did, and I checked to make sure it was tight. Then had her add the 6 qts. Once she did this, we exchanged high 5s.

Then the trans pan. I broke the bolts. She loosened per the FTE instructions we are grateful for having. We held the pan and she removed all bolts, and poured the fluid out. No spills! I had her clean the gasket and set aside. Then the pan. I knew what the gunk on the magnet was. She had no clue. I had her take it off and clean it. First time I can recall her using a term I often use playing golf, except that she added the word "Holy" in front of it. Cleaned the pan and the magnet, and then replaced. I had her bolt it in while I held the pan and then I showed her how to use the torque wrench and why it was needed.

Then to the top to add fluid. Showed her the tube, the funnel, and then the fluid. She poured it carefully and perhaps slower than I would, but again, no spills.

8 qts on the nose. Had her drive us to the DQ to celebrate with a shake, and to check for leaks when we got back.

Thanks folks for the step by steps that gave her the play by play. She did have some grease and oil on her in spots and seemed as proud of that of wearing expensive perfume.

Her payoff is a gift certificate to Ulta, as she is a girly girl as well as being my new wrench monkey. She did say she wanted to do the next oil change on Little Red, the Saturn SL2 she hopes to inherit.

 

The only stuff I found under five bucks was the NAPA product made by Valvoline- $4.99/ quart. Shaky labeling included with the price.

 

It was some memorial day or whatever sale, I forget. I just know when I saw $3/qt I jumped and bought like all of them lol. Something like 16 qts I got and I still have 7 or 8. I started to flush the converter and nice clean red fluid was coming out so I stopped and just refilled to the right level and went with it.