Mercron or Mercron V ??

My '95 4WD w/ 4r55E transmission calls for Mercron on the dipstick and in the manual. I am going to do a flush soon, and wondered about using Mercron V instead. The Ford dealer and other local shops I have talked to generally recommend against it ( I am sure there are liability issues), arguing that the tranny was designed with that fluid so I should stick with it and do regular maintenance. I understand Mercron V to be partially synthetic at least, while I assume Mercron is all dino. I know others have used full synthetic Amsoil or Mobil 1.

So. what do you think? Stick with the dipstick or switch?

I know once you rebuild these trannies, especially with updated parts, Merc V is recommended. Dunno why it wouldn't be advised.

They didn't require Mercon V until the release of the 5R55E in 1997. I have read some things that indicate that Mercon V is not always backward compatible with Mercon applications.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=000242

I think that there is a TSB from Ford showing which applications require Mercon V and which ones don't. I also seem to recall that the difference between Mercon and Mercon V has to do with friction modifiers. I don't know if you would necessarily see any benefit to using the Mercon V ATF with all else being equal.

My understanding is that Mercon V fluid is more expensive, so you may want to consider that factor also.

You actually have several options:

Continue using Dino Mercon

Switch to Semi Syn Mercon (or Mercon V)

Switch to a Syn ATF. Both Mobil 1 and AMSOil meet Mercon specs. AMSOil meets Mercon V specs as well as the standard Mercon spec, but it is quite expensive.

Thanks for the replies. The sense I got was that Mercron V was in fact only backwards compatible in some cases, and this was probably not one of them. The implication was that there was no real benefit. One shop was only going to charge $8 extra for Mercron V, which seemed pretty inexpensive.

I'd like to see that Ford TSB. Is there a way to see it online?

Any other ideas out there?

A/T - Fluid Application Charts
Article No.
01-15-7

08/06/01

FLUID - TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS
FORD:
1980-2002 CROWN VICTORIA
1981-1997 THUNDERBIRD
1981-2002 ESCORT, MUSTANG
1982-1988 EXP
1984-1994 TEMPO
1986-1993 FESTIVA
1986-2002 TAURUS
1989-1997 PROBE
1994-1998 ASPIRE
1995-2000 CONTOUR
2000-2002 FOCUS
2002 THUNDERBIRD
1980-1996 BRONCO
1981-1997 F-250 HD, F-350
1981-2002 E SERIES, F-150
1983-2002 RANGER
1984-1990 BRONCO II
1986-1997 AEROSTAR
1988-1997 F SUPER DUTY
1991-2002 EXPLORER
1995-2002 WINDSTAR
1997-2002 EXPEDITION
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE

LINCOLN:
1980-2002 TOWN CAR
1981-2002 CONTINENTAL
1984-1992 MARK VII
1993-1998 MARK VIII
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR
2002 BLACKWOOD


MERCURY:
1980-2002 GRAND MARQUIS
1981-1997 COUGAR
1982-1987 LN7
1984-1994 TOPAZ
1986-2002 SABLE
1987-1999 TRACER
1991-1994 CAPRI
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1993-2002 VILLAGER
1997-2002 MOUNTAINEER

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to update the Application Chart.

ISSUE

A new automatic transmission fluid (MERCON(R) V) was introduced in 1997 for use in some Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. This new MERCON(R) V fluid is not used in all applications and is not interchangeable with others transmissions fluids that are currently used. Using the incorrect fluid may cause transmission or transaxle concerns.

ACTION

For proper fluid application on current and past model vehicles equipped with Manual or Automatic Transmission or Transaxle refer to the Fluid Usage Chart (Figures 1, 2 and 3).
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 98-8-8
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY

Just to point out: That is for stock trannies. My '96 4R55E was rebuilt and thus uses Merc V now.

Thanks again. I see it says it is not interchangeable with other fluids.

"For proper fluid application on current and past model vehicles equipped with Manual or Automatic Transmission or Transaxle refer to the Fluid Usage Chart (Figures 1, 2 and 3)." I don't see these charts on your post, but I seem to get a different graphic each time I open the thread. Are those charts there?

Thanks.

Originally posted by dr jazz
Thanks again. I see it says it is not interchangeable with other fluids.

"For proper fluid application on current and past model vehicles equipped with Manual or Automatic Transmission or Transaxle refer to the Fluid Usage Chart (Figures 1, 2 and 3)." I don't see these charts on your post, but I seem to get a different graphic each time I open the thread. Are those charts there?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Oops, the charts were there, apparently they are dynamically generated so they change from time to time.

If you email me, later this evening I can send you a PDF copy of the charts that I posted before.

Thanks. I'll do that.

My manual calls for merc V for my 5R55E. I added about 2/3 of a qt. when I put my remote tranny filter on. I am going to have my tranny flushed very soon and they said if I wanted synthetic it would cost more (obviously). From what I'm reading it sounds like merc V is synthetic and I have to go with that no matter what. Also, I have never done a tranny fluch before and will probably take it somewhere to have it done for around $100 unless someone can explain it to me and it sounds easy enough to do. Thanks.

The Valvoline Semi Syn ATF is supposed to be Mercon V compatible:

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=1

I have seen this in stores for about $2.50/qt.

I am using AMSOil Syn ATF which is also Mercon V compatible. It is more expensive; I paid $8.99/qt from a store (although you can probably get a better price from an AMSOil dealer)

Here's a long thread on flushing, etc. with other links to other flushing threads

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60845&highlight=ATF+flush

I have used Mobil 1 ATF for the last 50k miles with no problems wharsoever in my 99.