Is Mercon V synthetic or semi-synthetic? I did a search & couldn't find any info. Anyone favor a particular brand?
I would rather not use a universal type. Thanks.
I would rather not use a universal type. Thanks.
Mercon V
- Thread starter miked2
- Start date
- Status
Its semi synthetic.
I use motorcraft brand, its conoco philips.
I use motorcraft brand, its conoco philips.
I am definitely not trying to open up a can of worms, Whitewolf. Just trying to get some info. It's funny, Motorcraft's website says nothing about Mercon V being a Synthetic-Blend. I went to Vavoline's website as suggested by Tempest, that looks good for a fluid change on my Sable.
I also went to a few other oil company sites & most make only universal fluid. My local Autozone & Pep Boys both carry Vavoline, neither carry Motorcraft or any other non-universal fluid for that matter. I guess there is not enough demand for it?
Thanks for your help guys.
I also went to a few other oil company sites & most make only universal fluid. My local Autozone & Pep Boys both carry Vavoline, neither carry Motorcraft or any other non-universal fluid for that matter. I guess there is not enough demand for it?
Thanks for your help guys.
redlines d-4 in my ford tranny's plus a bottle of lubregard platinum and 1 oz. of lc.
Tommie:Any reason for 2 additives?
Honestly Whitewolf, I really don't know the perimeters of a "Full Synthetic". But I really don't care, I am not saying that in a wise guy tone but I don't care. I personally don't use synthetic do to the cost. I am not interested in 10,000 mile OCI's. I was always a 3000 mile OCI guy & because of this website I "grew-up" to 5000 miles with MC synthetic-blend.
I would however, consider a higher quality ATF if it was available since the intervals are much longer.
I would however, consider a higher quality ATF if it was available since the intervals are much longer.
just run the MC and change as per your manual.
so what did you end up running?q
I'm running a mix of factory Mercon-V and Valvoline Mercon-V in a 2003 Taurus. At 59K miles I pulled 6.3 quarts using an extractor. And at 68K miles I pulled another 2.0 quarts. Replaced with the Valvoline stuff. No issues, works fine.
I believe most Mercon V fluids are a semi syn. Except for Amsoil, I think Mobil 1 now meets the (V spec) I am not sure of any others.
I was waiting for a full syn auto trans fluid to run in my 98 Taurus that required a V spec. The only full syn I have ever run is Amsoil. I had to wait until about 2001 or so for Amsoil to recommend it for Mercon V spec.
I was willing to run any decent Full syn Mercon V fluids before Amsoil came out with theirs. I could not find any though.
Before that I ran Valvoline semi syn fluid. I did not notice any difference between Valvoline and the Motorcraft that came in the car.
I was waiting for a full syn auto trans fluid to run in my 98 Taurus that required a V spec. The only full syn I have ever run is Amsoil. I had to wait until about 2001 or so for Amsoil to recommend it for Mercon V spec.
I was willing to run any decent Full syn Mercon V fluids before Amsoil came out with theirs. I could not find any though.
Before that I ran Valvoline semi syn fluid. I did not notice any difference between Valvoline and the Motorcraft that came in the car.
Mercon V can be a variety of different base oils, so long as it meets all the minimum requirements to be labeled a Mercon V oil.
Most Mercon V oils, including the Motorcraft, are semi-synthetic oils. Semi-synthetic in this case usually means GpII o GPII+ and GPIII oils. There are a few that are fully synthetic, like mostly GPIV .
All I've ever run in my stuff is the cheapest Merc V I could find and I change what's in the pan about every 15K. Mostly it's been Valvo or Napa labeled Valvo semi-syn. I also ran some SF in my daily driver which is good stuff, I just can't get anymore unfortunately as the shift quality was better. Frequent changes are more important than the brand of fluid. Keep is clean and cool and it will last the life of the engine, or close to it.
Most Mercon V oils, including the Motorcraft, are semi-synthetic oils. Semi-synthetic in this case usually means GpII o GPII+ and GPIII oils. There are a few that are fully synthetic, like mostly GPIV .
All I've ever run in my stuff is the cheapest Merc V I could find and I change what's in the pan about every 15K. Mostly it's been Valvo or Napa labeled Valvo semi-syn. I also ran some SF in my daily driver which is good stuff, I just can't get anymore unfortunately as the shift quality was better. Frequent changes are more important than the brand of fluid. Keep is clean and cool and it will last the life of the engine, or close to it.
Redline D4 seems to have the best low temp specs of any MV fluid out there, and the highest flash point.
IMHO keeping the fluid fresh is much more important than what brand is being used. I wouldn't hesitate to use Supertech Multivehicle, NAPA Mercon V or any other store brand if I was doing regular drain/fills. If you'd rather not use a multivehicle formula there are plenty of Mercon V specific brand name fluids to choose from. I used Castrol Mercon V on a 14 quart flush on a Ranger and shift quality was very good. Don't fear the multi-use stuff, I've used Amsoil's ATF and am currently doing regular drain/fills with Mobil 1 (now that it meet Mercon V specs) in an F150 with no problems.
Consider your application. Is this a car or truck? Are you towing or hauling? Do you want to flush it once and forget it or do periodic drain/fills? If you're towing, or want to flush it all and be done with it I'd consider using a synthetic fluid that is better able to handle higher temperatures and longer drain intervals. If its a car or you don't tow and plan to do regular maintenance than a cheaper part-synthetic Mercon V may be the way to go.
Consider your application. Is this a car or truck? Are you towing or hauling? Do you want to flush it once and forget it or do periodic drain/fills? If you're towing, or want to flush it all and be done with it I'd consider using a synthetic fluid that is better able to handle higher temperatures and longer drain intervals. If its a car or you don't tow and plan to do regular maintenance than a cheaper part-synthetic Mercon V may be the way to go.
I finally settled on Castrol Mercon V. The main reason, that was the only "name brand" fluid I could find that wasn't universal. I went to Autozone intending to get Valvoline but they did not have any.
The car is a 2004 Mercury Sable, Duratec engine with 102K.
No towing, just a family car. I am not looking for improved performance, just to maintain it hoping it continues to run as well as it runs now.
Thanks for the advice.
The car is a 2004 Mercury Sable, Duratec engine with 102K.
No towing, just a family car. I am not looking for improved performance, just to maintain it hoping it continues to run as well as it runs now.
Thanks for the advice.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
