I thought Ford had a monopoly on Ford Mercon LV but Castrol appears to think other wise:
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So is this old news? First I saw of it..
Back
and front
So is this old news? First I saw of it..
Saw this at the AZ today
- Thread starter double vanos
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JHZR2
Staff member
Not a fan of universal fluids personally... But looks interesting. How much $?
That packaging confuses me. It states:
"Suitable for use in all Toyota transmissions" but,
it does not specify whether that is Type WS or T-IV.
My educated understanding tells me WS and T-IV are not interchangeable.
What gives?
I didn't even think Dexron VI and Dexron III were even interchangeable. In the jugs of Castrol "Domestic Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid" I have seen, it says suitable for use in Dexron III (and prior), do not use in newer vehicles calling for Dexron VI.
How come this fluid is interchangeable with both types of Dexron?
"Suitable for use in all Toyota transmissions" but,
it does not specify whether that is Type WS or T-IV.
My educated understanding tells me WS and T-IV are not interchangeable.
What gives?
I didn't even think Dexron VI and Dexron III were even interchangeable. In the jugs of Castrol "Domestic Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid" I have seen, it says suitable for use in Dexron III (and prior), do not use in newer vehicles calling for Dexron VI.
How come this fluid is interchangeable with both types of Dexron?
It was like six bucks and change per quart IIRC. And I noticed that it says not to use in trans requiring Mercon V, SP or type F.
I'm going to give the local Ford dealer a call and see what the "proper" Mercon LV goes for.
I'm going to give the local Ford dealer a call and see what the "proper" Mercon LV goes for.
Originally Posted By: 51Plymouth
I didn't even think Dexron VI and Dexron III were even interchangeable. In the jugs of Castrol "Domestic Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid" I have seen, it says suitable for use in Dexron III (and prior), do not use in newer vehicles calling for Dexron VI.
How come this fluid is interchangeable with both types of Dexron?
They are not "interchangeable". Dex-VI has a lower startup viscosity than Dex-III, but they have the same viscosity at operating temp, so using Dex-VI in a Dex-III spec'd vehicle is like using a 0W-X oil in an engine that calls for a 10W-X or 15W-X, which is okay because all of those fluids are too thick at startup anyway. But using Dex-III when Dex-VI is called for is like using an oil with a higher than spec'd winter viscosity.
I didn't even think Dexron VI and Dexron III were even interchangeable. In the jugs of Castrol "Domestic Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid" I have seen, it says suitable for use in Dexron III (and prior), do not use in newer vehicles calling for Dexron VI.
How come this fluid is interchangeable with both types of Dexron?
They are not "interchangeable". Dex-VI has a lower startup viscosity than Dex-III, but they have the same viscosity at operating temp, so using Dex-VI in a Dex-III spec'd vehicle is like using a 0W-X oil in an engine that calls for a 10W-X or 15W-X, which is okay because all of those fluids are too thick at startup anyway. But using Dex-III when Dex-VI is called for is like using an oil with a higher than spec'd winter viscosity.
That's got to be HALF the price of genuine Mercon LV!
Just went here for tech info on the Mercon LV:
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.c...MERCON%20LV.pdf
With pour and flash points like that its got to be fairly stout. I wonder what Castrols specs are.
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.c...MERCON%20LV.pdf
With pour and flash points like that its got to be fairly stout. I wonder what Castrols specs are.
O'Reilly's in my area has Mercon LV for $5.99.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail...mp;ppt=C0207#at
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail...mp;ppt=C0207#at
That is the first approved aftermarket Mercon LV approved fluid I have seen. I'd use it in the Fusion, but Redline D6 has been good in the trans, so I'll stick with that. Not "approved", but its a great fluid.
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Dex-VI has a lower startup viscosity than Dex-III, but they have the same viscosity at operating temp, so using Dex-VI in a Dex-III spec'd vehicle is like using a 0W-X oil in an engine that calls for a 10W-X or 15W-X, which is okay because all of those fluids are too thick at startup anyway. But using Dex-III when Dex-VI is called for is like using an oil with a higher than spec'd winter viscosity.
No, operating temp viscosity of new DIII is much higher than DVI. It's old DIII that shears down to the DVI range.
It's like starting with 5W30 oil that shares down to 5W20 range (it's really more like 10W20) vs using 5W20 from the beginning.
Dex-VI has a lower startup viscosity than Dex-III, but they have the same viscosity at operating temp, so using Dex-VI in a Dex-III spec'd vehicle is like using a 0W-X oil in an engine that calls for a 10W-X or 15W-X, which is okay because all of those fluids are too thick at startup anyway. But using Dex-III when Dex-VI is called for is like using an oil with a higher than spec'd winter viscosity.
No, operating temp viscosity of new DIII is much higher than DVI. It's old DIII that shears down to the DVI range.
It's like starting with 5W30 oil that shares down to 5W20 range (it's really more like 10W20) vs using 5W20 from the beginning.
Originally Posted By: double vanos
Just went here for tech info on the Mercon LV:
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.c...MERCON%20LV.pdf
With pour and flash points like that its got to be fairly stout. I wonder what Castrols specs are.
Google is your friend. 100 degree viscosity spec in the MaxLife range.
http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...BPXE-99DQ2U.pdf
Just went here for tech info on the Mercon LV:
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.c...MERCON%20LV.pdf
With pour and flash points like that its got to be fairly stout. I wonder what Castrols specs are.
Google is your friend. 100 degree viscosity spec in the MaxLife range.
http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusion...BPXE-99DQ2U.pdf
Wow! Approved and licensed by Ford, heck they may be making it for Ford. Nice to know, good find! Thanks!
Looking at the flash points between the two: Castrol - 350F, Mercon - 421F; something here is different! All the other specs are pretty close though...
Hmm..... #XT-10-QLVC
FordPartsGiant get's $5.55 a quart, But there's a minimum $12 shipping
Amazon.com Gets $13.17 a quart, w/ Prime free shipping
Avg dealer cost's are $10 a quart
Avg Drain and Fill is 4 qts,
FPG = $38 ish with tax
Amazon = $57 ish with tax
Dealer = $44 ish with tax
I'd price shop local dealers, But I would most certainly, Except Type F/Mercon/Mercon V, Never use a Aftermarket fluid in a SP/LV/CVT/Dual Clutch transmission.
FordPartsGiant get's $5.55 a quart, But there's a minimum $12 shipping
Amazon.com Gets $13.17 a quart, w/ Prime free shipping
Avg dealer cost's are $10 a quart
Avg Drain and Fill is 4 qts,
FPG = $38 ish with tax
Amazon = $57 ish with tax
Dealer = $44 ish with tax
I'd price shop local dealers, But I would most certainly, Except Type F/Mercon/Mercon V, Never use a Aftermarket fluid in a SP/LV/CVT/Dual Clutch transmission.
Suitable for use is a term meaning OK to use but, not optimised for best performance-stay away except for emergency is MO. Ed
Have yet to see a ford fluid mfg. facility yet so I'm sure if it say approved it is 100% safe to use.
Originally Posted By: double vanos
Looking at the flash points between the two: Castrol - 350F, Mercon - 421F; something here is different! All the other specs are pretty close though...
Good find. I'm not expert on flash points but it sounds like Mercon is full synthetic and Castrol is not.
Looking at the flash points between the two: Castrol - 350F, Mercon - 421F; something here is different! All the other specs are pretty close though...
Good find. I'm not expert on flash points but it sounds like Mercon is full synthetic and Castrol is not.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2024
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Dex-VI has a lower startup viscosity than Dex-III, but they have the same viscosity at operating temp, so using Dex-VI in a Dex-III spec'd vehicle is like using a 0W-X oil in an engine that calls for a 10W-X or 15W-X, which is okay because all of those fluids are too thick at startup anyway. But using Dex-III when Dex-VI is called for is like using an oil with a higher than spec'd winter viscosity.
No, operating temp viscosity of new DIII is much higher than DVI. It's old DIII that shears down to the DVI range.
It's like starting with 5W30 oil that shares down to 5W20 range (it's really more like 10W20) vs using 5W20 from the beginning.
Right, and it is backwards compatible. I have a 4L80E and 4T65EHD using it right now. So much nicer than DEX III.
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Dex-VI has a lower startup viscosity than Dex-III, but they have the same viscosity at operating temp, so using Dex-VI in a Dex-III spec'd vehicle is like using a 0W-X oil in an engine that calls for a 10W-X or 15W-X, which is okay because all of those fluids are too thick at startup anyway. But using Dex-III when Dex-VI is called for is like using an oil with a higher than spec'd winter viscosity.
No, operating temp viscosity of new DIII is much higher than DVI. It's old DIII that shears down to the DVI range.
It's like starting with 5W30 oil that shares down to 5W20 range (it's really more like 10W20) vs using 5W20 from the beginning.
Right, and it is backwards compatible. I have a 4L80E and 4T65EHD using it right now. So much nicer than DEX III.
dnewton3
Staff member
Nice to finally see an approved aftermarket LV compatible fluid.
While it may not be any cheaper, it at least gives an option as far as availability, etc.
While it may not be any cheaper, it at least gives an option as far as availability, etc.
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