Mazda M-V/FRN5 ATF ???

[The Critic]

What exactly is this stuff:
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...t=FNR5 Automatic Transmission Fluid&category=

Mazda3/Mazda6 tech sites say Mercon-V can be used in place of Mazda M-V, but this website says otherwise. Yet, people running the Mercon-V in place of Mazda M-V aren't having issues.

Supposedly, the Mazda M-V fluid is equivalent to the FRN5 fluid for the FRN5 transmission in the '06 Fusion 4-cyl.

 

[hominid7]

Keep us updated if you do find any confirmations on this....

I'm wondering if "Mazda M-V" is just Mercon-V by another name? Is the FRN5 a "Ford" tranny or one they got from an outside source?

My 2001 Mazda 626 calls for Dexron-III and my Mazda dealer used Mercon-V the last time i had my tranny flushed. For what it's worth the Mercon-V appears to look and smell cleaner longer than the orig Dex-III that was in there.

 

[BTLew81]

Any updates on this? I would have to believe that the Mazda M-V/Ford FNR5 fluid is nothing THAT special. Being able to buy my ATF over the counter would be so nice....

 

[unDummy]

Its a JASO certified JATCO-spec'd transmission fluid.
Its a step up from Mercon-V. It has better long life addtives, less likely to shear as quickly, excellent anti-shudder durability, improved cold flow.....

If you use a MerconV, which work well here, you simply shorten your drain interval.

Just don't bother with the generic ATF's. Some of the so-called no-name ATF's do not meet the specs they claim are safe. Maxlife and WP multivehicle do NOT meet the cold flow requirments, even though they claim universal usage.

On a reasonable budget, Valvoline Mercon-V, Castrol Import, Pennzoil Multivehicle, along with Conoco-Kendall, Schaeffers, Advantage,.... are easy choices.
Am$oil, M1, Xcel..... are option$.

Its also been mentioned that some dealers might let this stuff go for ~$4 a quart. If so, it wouldn't be a bad choice. Two other options for OEM equivalents are Nissans J-matic and Subarus ATF-HP.

 

[BTLew81]

My thought now for an OTC choice is Valvo Merc V. Why? Synthetic, easily available, and decently priced. No problems doing a partial change, correct? I might even try M1 ATF if I can find it cheap. With me doing 20k changes at most, I think anything will be fine....

 

[badtlc]

Quote:

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Any updates on this? I would have to believe that the Mazda M-V/Ford FNR5 fluid is nothing THAT special. Being able to buy my ATF over the counter would be so nice....

---

The stock ATF is Motorcraft FNR5 ATF. You can buy it at any oreilly's or any auto store that sells motorcraft fluids.

 

[BTLew81]

My Murray's and Advace Auto Parts do not sell this fluid, even though they carry MC fluids. Maybe I'll see if it happens in the future.

 

[philipsearcy]

I asked Mazda, below is their reply. I drained and refilled mine with Mobil 1 ATF. Philip.

Hello Philip,

Thanks for contacting Mazda.

In regards to your inquiry, ATF M-V is equivalent to Mercon V.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda.

Regards,

Heather B.
Customer Assistance Specialist, E-Business



---- Original Message ----
From : philip
To : [email protected]
Subject : Ownership & Maintenance - Service & Maintenance
Date : Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:03:07 GMT

My owners manual say to use 'ATF M-V' fluid in my automatic transaxle. Is this Mercron-V? Thank you. Philip.

 

[BTLew81]

Verrrrrry interesting...

 

[badtlc]

Quote:

---

I asked Mazda, below is their reply. I drained and refilled mine with Mobil 1 ATF. Philip.

Hello Philip,

Thanks for contacting Mazda.

In regards to your inquiry, ATF M-V is equivalent to Mercon V.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda.

Regards,

Heather B.
Customer Assistance Specialist, E-Business



---- Original Message ----
From : philip
To : [email protected]
Subject : Ownership & Maintenance - Service & Maintenance
Date : Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:03:07 GMT

My owners manual say to use 'ATF M-V' fluid in my automatic transaxle. Is this Mercron-V? Thank you. Philip.

---

Then why does Motorcraft spend all the wasted $$$ making a special FNR5 ATF instead of their regular Mercon-V ATF? Seems kind of odd for a company to make an ATF they dont have to.

 

[unDummy]

Because temp staffing employees don't know technical anything.

I would definitely keep a copy of the above email.
Trust me, they are NOT equivalents. Mazda demands more from their fluid.