Mercron of Mercron V

[bandit]

I have a '97 LXT with the 5.0L AWD, in the Haynes repair manual it says to use Mercron V, but I just looked at the dipstick for the tranny and it just says Mercron on the handle....So is it safe to say the Haynes book is wrong, and I can just use Mercron? (which would be fine with me since it's easy to get the Mobil 1 ATF syn. fluid which cover Mercron.)

Can someone with the 5.0 confirm this for me...(I just want to make sure the stick is right...)before I just put the Mercron in...
thanks...

 

[EliteConcept]

i'd say consult your owners manual.
i know i had this same query when i had to add some tranny fluid. The SOHC owners manual for my 97 says that i should use mercron V. I know you have a 5.0 so you would wanna follow those guidelines as in the manual.
If you don't have it i think it says in my owners manual what type the 5.0 takes but i don't wanna go outside if i dont' got to

 

[bandit]

That's the problem, I don't have a owners manual, I bought this used last week, no manual. If you could look in yours when you get a chance and like me know, that would be great....

I'm thinking of just buying 5 qt's of the Redline ATF (says it covers Mercron/ mecron V, Dextron III, etc... and be done with it....of course I have to order it....

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Bandit, you should be fine with the Redline stuff. I actually spoke with Ford and they said they have both Mercon and Mercon V listed. I then talked to AAMCO and they said that Ford updated to the Mercon V because it has special agents that eliminate the shudder that some 4r70w's exhibit.

If you have not had a flush done on the Transmission (or at least not one that you are aware of), put in Mercon (not Mercon V). If you want to run the redline, keep in mind you will have to flush the system. In order to do this you will need about 15 qts of fluid because you need to be able to completely remove all the existing fluid and put in totally new, and the only way to do this is to run a bunch of additional fluid through. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[james t]

Go Redline and never look back. FYI ive been running B&M Trick Shift synthetic in mine for 3 years now with no issues, although mine's a 96 and was built before the changover to MercV.

 

[bandit]

Ya I just got this last week, it has 93k miles, so I don't know what was done. The fluid on the stick looks very very clean, no darkness (someone must of done something to it) CALI' - Your saying I can't just add 5 qts of the Redline to it (pan drop)???? Well this hurt something if it has all Mercon in it and I had some Mecron V? I hate to have to spend $160. right now for 15qts or the redline. If the thing only needed Mercron anyway I can you the MObil 1 ATF, but I don't know what's in there, I only know that on the stick it just says Mercron..And I'm sure at some point someone had to have changed the fluid in it, it's just too clean for 93k miles....

 

[Cali' Explorer]

If you were to put 5 qts of Redline in it right now by dropping the pan, you do not get rid of all the fluid in the tranny. There's still all the fluid in the TC (Torque Converter), in the pathways of the transmission and in the Oil Cooler. And its a big no no to mix Synthetic and non-synth because they don't mix and they won't bond to each other properly and you will damage your transmission.

I say if the tranny is running good, maybe just take it to a tranny place that does free checks and have them run an analysis on the fluid. If its clean, leave it for now. Better to keep what's in their now then to not do the job right.

Also, if you want to save yourself about $100+ on the job by doing a flush yourself, there are instructions at the link following that also explain some of the pitfalls and why doing what you're suggesting is a bad idea.

Dead Link Removed

I personally would just take it to a place to get it done. I've heard that doing it yourself can get pretty messy, and most places use a purge machine that actually forces all the fluid out which I believe takes less fluid that the home method, but I can't say for sure.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[schadler]

Bandit, you have the same exact truck as mine, with exactly the same "Mercon" on the dipstick. My Ford dealer said, without any doubt, ALWAYS go by what's on the dipstick. So Mercon. I'm gonna go with Mobil 1 Mercon, which might give you some of the benefits of the Mercon V, which I think is synthetic.