Getting ready to change the trans fluid and filter in my 01, 4R70W.

I see Valvoline's Mercon V on the shelf at a local store has two different label, one saying "full synthetic" and the other saying "synthetic blend". Same price.

So, my question is are they actually the same oil and it is a updated label, or did they change the oil formulas and the ones with the 'synthetic blend' label are older and now outdated?

 

Mercon is a non-synthetic fluid.

Mercon V is synthetic and is the only thing that you should use in your truck. Good luck!

 

I understand to use only Mercon V.

My question is really what is the difference (of there is one) between Valvoline Mercon V full synthetic and Valvoline Mercon V Synthetic Blend?

The bottles are next to each other, intermixed on the shelf at that store and marked the same price.

 

IDK what the differences are, but for the same price, I'm buying full syn.

Mike

 

MERCON V is a synthetic so i assume there is just an update in the label and its the same stuff inside.

 

Product Information
Transmission Fluids

• MERCON® V Automatic Transmission Fluid
• MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF Transmission Fluid
• Ford Type "F" ATF and Power Steering Fluid
• Synthetic MERCON® Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Premium Power Steering Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid

MERCON® V Automatic Transmission Fluid

• An approved MERCON® fluid
• Increased protection against wear, deposits, rust and corrosion
• Improved low-temperature shifting
• Guards against transmission shudder
• Engineered and recommended by Ford Motor Company for use in automatic transmissions ONLY where MERCON® V is specified.
• Use for all AODE and 4R70W transmissions

MERCON® Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid

• An approved MERCON® and DEXRON® III fluid
• Replaces type "H" and Type "CJ" fluids
• Provides rust, corrosion and anti-wear protection
• Controls deposit formation (varnish and sludge)
• Resists oxidation and retains desirable friction characteristics
• Contains an anti-foaming additives
• Maintains proper viscosity at extreme operating temperatures

Recommended for use in automatic transmissions, power steering units, manual transmissions and hydraulic systems requiring any of the following fluids:

• MERCON®
• DEXRON®-II
• DEXRON®
• Allison C-

• Motorcraft

fluid designed, engineered and recommended by
Ford Motor Company specifically for use in
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles that require
MERCON® V type fluid. It is an approved DEXRON® III
fluid. It is also recommended for use in pre-1989
automatic transmissions, which call for a
DEXRON® IIE, DEXRON® II, DEXRON‚® and Type “A”
Suffix “A” fluids. Motorcraft® MERCON® V is an
approved Allison C-4 Fluid. It should not be used in
transmissions requiring Type F fluid.
• Motorcraft® MERCON® V is suitable for use as a
hydraulic oil in a wide variety of industrial applications
that call for an ISO 46 or SAE 20W viscosity grade
hydraulic oil.
• Motorcraft® MERCON® V is manufactured with
high-viscosity index, premium hydrocracked base
oils and specially designed additives, which provide
excellent shifting characteristics at high and low
ambient temperatures, excellent thermal and
oxidation resistance, and especially outstanding low
temperature fluidity. It provides an extra measure
of wear protection and inhibits the formation of gum,
sludge, lacquer and foam. It also provides protection
against rust, corrosion and wear. It is dyed red for
ease of leak detection.
• Use for all AODE and 4R70W transmissions.
Refer to TSB article 01-15-7.
• Note: This is a DEXRON®-approved fluid; however,
MERCON® V and MERCON®-type fluids are not
interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON® V and
MERCON.®

is recommended.

® MERCON® V

SPECIFICATIONS

Product Typicals

SAE Grade

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20W

Gravity, °API . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.9

Specific Gravity, @ 60°F (15.5°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.866
Density, lb/gal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.16
Flash Point, COC, °F (°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370 (188)
Viscosity: cSt @ 40°C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
cSt @ 100°C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3
Viscosity Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Brookfield Viscosity at -20°C (-4°F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950
Brookfield Viscosity at -40°C (-40°F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,000
Dielectric Strength, kv/0.1 in. min. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ASTM Foam Test, Sequence I, max. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-0
Sequence II, max. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-0
Sequence III, max. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-0

Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Red

 

Synthetic MERCON®
Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid

FEATURES
• Motorcraft® Synthetic MERCON® Multi-Purpose
Automatic Transmission Fluid is a high-quality synthetic
ATF designed, engineered and recommended by
Ford Motor Company. It was developed for use in the
newer electronically controlled automatic transmissions
found in most domestic and import automobiles,
trucks, SUVs, minivans and buses built after 1989.
It is also recommended for use in pre-1989 automatic
transmissions, which call for a DEXRON® IIE,
DEXRON® II, DEXRON‚® and Type “A” Suffix “A” fluids.
• Motorcraft® Synthetic MERCON® Multi-Purpose
Automatic Transmission Fluid is formulated with
synthetic (PAO) base stock and unique additive
technology. It is specifically formulated to provide
improved shifting characteristics at high- and lowambient
temperatures, excellent thermal and
oxidation resistance, and outstanding lowtemperature
fluidity. It inhibits the formation of gum,
sludge, lacquer and foam. It provides excellent
protection against rust, corrosion and wear. It is
dyed red for ease of leak detection.
• It is specifically effective in heavy-duty applications
where high temperatures are a concern. Due to its
excellent thermal, oxidative and shear stability, this
fluid is required in heavy-duty manual transmission
application. Particularly, Mustang with G1 manual
transmission and F/E-Series with TR 3650 and
ZF S5-47 manual transmissions. It reduces operating
temperatures, increases component life and improves
efficiency through reduced friction and optimal
lubrication.
• Motorcraft® Synthetic MERCON® Multi-Purpose
Automatic Transmission Fluid is designed for
smoother gear shifting down to -40°F (-40°C).
• Motorcraft® Synthetic MERCON® Multi-Purpose
Automatic Transmission Fluid meets MERCON®
and DEXRON® III as well as Ford Specification
ESR-M2C163-A2.
NOTE: Do not use for transmissions which require
MERCON® V.
BENEFITS
• Superior thermal and oxidation control
• Superior wear control
• Reduced operating temperatures

Motorcraft® Synthetic MERCON® Multi-Purpose
Automatic Transmission Fluid
SPECIFICATIONS
Product Typicals
Ford specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ESR-M2C163-A2
MERCON®
Other Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEXRON® III
Density, lb/gal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.82
Flash Point, COC, °F (°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366 (186)
Pour Point, °F (°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -65 (-54)
Viscosity: cSt @ 40°C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76.0
cSt @ 100°C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.4
mPa.s @ -40°C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,000
Viscosity Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

 

well looking at valvoline site, it seems their version of mercon v only comes in a synthetic version only now. so the blend must be old stuff or a batch that never received the new label. then again as said above i always thought mercon v was synthetic from the start so maybe the blend is a older formula of valvoline.

MERCON®V ATF

http://www.valvoline.com/products/MERCON%20V.pdf

i added a quart of the valvoline stuff when the dealer short changed me a quart when i had my trans flushed eariler this year and haven't had a problem. nor do i expect to.

 

Took me stops at two places to get enough of the Mercon V fully synthetic labeled fluid. Still don't know the difference, but the places were pretty close.

Got the fluid changed, and back in business. Drives and shifts well, but then I didn't have any problems before changing the fluid.

Other item I had to pick up was a wobble extension as the one frame cross backet prevented the use of the straight one.

Total cost was $53.30 for the oil and $20.13 for the filter and gasket which isn't needed.

In my case that came out to about $0.00049 per mile driven. Not bad.


So here is another thought. Why do we change the engine oil so often if the trans can go so much further?

 

Engine oil gets contaminated with products of combustion, fine dust, moisture, etc.

The transmission is more closed up and there isn't a chemical reaction taking place inside of it, so the fluid stays good longer.

Mike