patrick hubbard
SHO Member
Can I use dextron mercon in my 97
Transmission fluid
- Thread starter patrick hubbard
- Start date
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gamefanatic
SHO Member
Usually, a Dex/Merc is Mercon-III/IV. Our transmissions require the same as the power steering, Mercon-V. While most recommend Mobile1, any brand that complies with Ford Mercon-V specifications will work.
gamefanatic
SHO Member
patrick hubbard
SHO Member
I thought I read somewhere that only the 98 and 99 needed mercon v and that 96 and 97 used mercon III
NoSlo
SHO Owner
Only 1998+ was factory loaded with Mercon V, as can be read in the owners manuals.
Real Mercon V is expensive, and also has issues that made Ford stop recommending it for legacy applications for a while (which they then blamed on flush procedures or old transmissions, which is still dubious).
(the endless supply of 120K G4 Tauruses with bad transmissions on Craigslist would make one ponder if it is the new fluid, in the same old transmission, that has doomed these...)
The "recommended, we think it should be as good as, but not licensed" "merc" products from other manufacturers leave doubt, and especially don't use "universal" fluids.
I discontinued expensive synthetic (but also not licensed) red/purple ATF, instead opting for Valvoline Dex/Merc, which is Mercon certified, and is $14 a gallon at Walmart instead of $14 a quart. Four gallons required to do a pan drop and flush by the book, and have another handy.
(btw, it's only Mercon, or Mercon V)
Real Mercon V is expensive, and also has issues that made Ford stop recommending it for legacy applications for a while (which they then blamed on flush procedures or old transmissions, which is still dubious).
(the endless supply of 120K G4 Tauruses with bad transmissions on Craigslist would make one ponder if it is the new fluid, in the same old transmission, that has doomed these...)
The "recommended, we think it should be as good as, but not licensed" "merc" products from other manufacturers leave doubt, and especially don't use "universal" fluids.
I discontinued expensive synthetic (but also not licensed) red/purple ATF, instead opting for Valvoline Dex/Merc, which is Mercon certified, and is $14 a gallon at Walmart instead of $14 a quart. Four gallons required to do a pan drop and flush by the book, and have another handy.
(btw, it's only Mercon, or Mercon V)
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gamefanatic
SHO Member
One of the reasons Mercon-V was being used was simply because Mercon (base standard) was no longer being produced, assumedly by their manufacturers. 96-97 was a transition period for the changeover. Other TSB's note the change over from ATF to Mercon V as a service fluid.
I don't believe there are major differences in the seal materials to explain a difference in requirement of the Mercon V, but there are differences in the valvetrain to include a difference in TCC in the 98+ models.
There are many common problems with the trannies that lead to early failure. Many could have been avoided by changing the fluids when recommended.
I have seen more than a few that have gone over 100K on the original fluid.
I don't believe there are major differences in the seal materials to explain a difference in requirement of the Mercon V, but there are differences in the valvetrain to include a difference in TCC in the 98+ models.
There are many common problems with the trannies that lead to early failure. Many could have been avoided by changing the fluids when recommended.
I have seen more than a few that have gone over 100K on the original fluid.
gamefanatic
SHO Member
Here is Fords latest cheat sheet. Looks like they totally discontinued the previous Mercon suggestion. Likely due to the unavailability of the product.
