My F350 manual says to use only Mercon trans fluid. Not a "dual" Mercon and Mercon V fluid. I'd like to use Amsoil but they only have a "Universal" synthetic transmission fluid, not one specific for Mercon. Can I use the Amsoil or would this cause issues?

 

Welcome to FTE.

What info can you provide on your truck? If it's still under warranty and you have problems with the Amsoil... bye-bye warranty coverage for the damage.

 

According to Amsoil their universal ATF meets the Mercon SP requirements. Ask an Amsoil dealer if they will back your warranty if the transmission fails.

 

It's a 2001 so it's not under warranty any longer. I just want to make sure I use the correct synthetic. Maybe I'll look for a synthetic that's specifically rated as Mercon.

 

You are now supposed to use Mercon V in your transmission (this was changed in a recent TSB from Ford). I believe all Mercon V transmission fluid is considered synthetic.

That being said it looks like Amsoil is actually willing to back up thier product in this instance. They have posted on their website that they will pay for the transmission repair themselves and then sue the dealership/car manufacturer to recoup their losses. This really suprises me, but take it as you will.

http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/faq4.aspx

 

That's interesting. I wonder if this situation has actually been put to the test by anyone?

 

If you to a Ford dealer for tranny flush, they will put in Mercon V. It has been in my 2003 for two changes now. It is a synthetic fluid and if you have the service done it only costs about $150-200 every 30K miles. Pretty cheap if you ask me. Why bother with anything else beside Mercon V.

 

I have the amsoil in mine and have had no issues, I will say it made a huge difference in trans temps when pulling.

 

Amoil is used by many FTE owners,but it has a negative connotation about being a "amway"style company
I have used Mobile 1 synthetic in my 1998 Toyota Tacoma. I use their ATF, motor oil and gear lube becuase it is so readily available at most auto parts stores.
Amsoil is only available through dealers and some select stores.
I have yet to use it in my 02 F-350, as far as ATF or gear oil.
I use Shell Rotella 5W-40 motor oil and Majestic gear oil.

 

I've been running AMS in my vehicles for about 3 years now. I run it in my jeep religously (trail rig) and converted my truck over to AMS about 10k. I have never had any problems with any of the AMS products. As long as you follow their recommended service intervals, they stand behind their products. I would highly recommend their products.

 

I use amsoil and have never seen it to be an amway type company
think it to be the oldest maker of synthetic oils around
I am not a dealer nor do I buy from a dealer I buy direct from warehouse at dealer prices as a frequent user,I do however like a dealer have to pay a small yearly fee

 

After this year, Ford will complete the phasing out of regular "Mercon & Dextron III" with Mercon V. I want find a copy of the bulliton or i would post it. On an other note, i would stick with Mercon 5 and maybe even buy the Ford Racing 4R100 Tranny Pan, that alone will greatly reduce tranny temp with adding 2 more quarts. Also, have you looked into Royal Purples MAX ATF? There is alot of research showing how well it works.

 

Could someone please post this TSB from Ford? Mercon V is totally different from Mercon. The e4od/4r100 require Mercon aka Dexron III/Mercon, and the torqueshift takes Mercon SP. Mercon V is used in some of the front wheel drives as well as the 4r70w, 4r55, & 5r55 transmissions. At work we use Shell conventional tranny fluids, Amsoil and Schaeffers synthetics. Shell is discontinuing Mercon V and Chrysler ATF+3, they are replacing them with one fluid that will work in both vehicles. We have not received the new fluid yet as we have to use up our stock. To confuse people more, GM is using Dexron VI, this fluid is for the newer GM 6L80e, but will not work on older vehicles. Before i put Mercon V in a tranny that requires Mercon, I would do some investigating. Putting the wrong fluid in can cause harsh shifts and TC chatter. Ford will never say to use Dexron III/Mercon, the manuals will say to use Mercon or Mercon V.

 

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="96%" border=3><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#0000ff colSpan=2>Printable View (225 KB) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=VERTCENT align=middle width="25%" bgColor=#ffffff>TSB
06-14-4
</TD><TD class=VERTCENT align=left width="65%" bgColor=#ffffff>

• MERCON ATF IS BEING REPLACED BY MERCON V ATF AS A SERVICE FLUID.

</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#0000ff colSpan=2>Publication Date: June 29, 2006</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=230>FORD:
</TD><TD>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</TD></TR><TR><TD width=230>LINCOLN:
</TD><TD>1980-1997 Town Car
1981-1997 Continental
1993-1997 Mark VIII
1998-2004 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood</TD></TR><TR><TD width=230>MERCURY:
</TD><TD>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</TD></TR><TR><TD width=230>MERKUR:
</TD><TD>1985-1989 XR4TI</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




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)

<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD width=100>CAUTION:</TD><TD>AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS / TRANSAXLES THAT REQUIRE MERCON® V SHOULD STILL ONLY USE MERCON® V OR DUAL USAGE FLUID LABELED MERCON® / MERCON® V.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD width=100>CAUTION:</TD><TD>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.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD width=100>CAUTION:</TD><TD>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. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD width=100>CAUTION:</TD><TD>DO NOT USE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPLEMENTS, ADDITIVES, TREATMENTS OR CLEANING AGENTS.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

If you can all give me a good rep for that, it would be great.