That article says that the additive package is made by Afton. It doesn't say that the fluid is made by them, and they don't make ATF, they make additives that go into ATF.

When I was working on the TorqShift program from 2001-2004 the MERCON SP that Ford used was made by Shell. Do they still make it? I don't know.

 

Searches I have done indicate they (Shell) still made it as of 2011 anyway.

 

Mark(s): The write up from Afton that JUGERNAUT so kindly shared with us refers to the quality of base oils (likely Group III), which makes the LV fluid sound very nice. Do either of you know what the SP spec for base oil was/is?

I found it interesting that they compared LV to Mercon V (as in trying to exceed it) versus better than SP...

I'm leaning towards using LV after reading that article...

 

Rgrt I understand that but there was some really good info in there

 

No offense to anyone but by the time this is truely resolved the torqueshift tranny and all of us will be memories if we're lucky. I will use the LV/SP as available and will not let it effect my position in the grave.

 

Here is the Ford SP MSDS:

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...us187660us.pdf

Also, look up the Shell MSDS following the link I posted earlier. I believe it also says.

I do know that SP has a high content of Group III base oil.

Ford MSDS:

Chemical Name ............................... CAS Number ................... Percent Concentration.............Hazard Classification
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES .................64742-54-7................................60-100%
HYDROTREATED HEAVY
PARAFFINIC

PETROLEUM DISTILLATES,..................64742-52-5................................1-5%
HYDROTREATED HEAVY
NAPHTHENIC

Shell MSDS:



Material Name

 

I found it very strange too.

 

It isn't clear to me... pretty much all lube oils go through hydrotreating, so that doesn't help and I couldn't figure it based on the viscosity either...

It's good enough if you've heard there's a good amount of Group III in SP, for me anyway...

 

I think I found the links that led to the conclusions it was a Shell product:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1829776

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZFLifegaurd6=Ford Mercon SP) [Archive] - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Lifeguard6 = Mercon SP? - Page 2 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363648

It is all pretty "sketchy" work, but the OP of posts stated he talked directly to Shell in Houston, Tx where they stated that they in fact made the "SP" there (at least in 2010). The guy that was arguing w/ the OP finally states that he contacted "lubeandtune" in and they confirmed that they are the same.

I know ................... a lot of hearsay, but that is all I found!

 

Look up (Google) the CAS numbers for the base oils. IIRC, it will lead you to a Group III.

Group IV is not hydrotreated petroleum oil, so we know it is not that.

 

Yes, I oversimplified: wasn't really thinking of PAOs -> Esters on up... Thanks again, I'll go get some education now.......

 

See the 4th post down in this link from BITOG (I needed the education also!!!):

CAS #'s and group III's - Bob Is The Oil Guy

After doing the CAS search myself, I see where you were coming from (sorry - I was the one oversimplifying). That CAS number is a large group that can include Group II or Group III.

It seems that if it has the CAS number 64742-54-7 AND says "Synthetic" on the bottle, then it is a Group III. The key is that it is being marked as a Synthetic!

 

They don't make it easy....!

 

I found the article that I thought stated that SP was comprised of a good amount of synthetic base stock (I save a lot of stuff - finding it takes time - lol). Re-reading it, it implies that, but does not specifically state it (see last paragraph).

LUBE REPORT: Retooled Mercon May Prove Costly

Interestingly enough, it talks about the German ZF formula which supports the claim that it is Shell oil.

 

I think the ZF seals the fact that it is shell. I would say I would ask the parts department tomarrow but that's like asking a concrete wall what day it is!!!