ATF...Mercon or Mercon V ??

[Cougar Dad]

I am getting the trany flushed in my daughters Cougar this week. (99 ATX)
I bought a case of Castrol Muti-Vehicle Tranny fluid and when I got home I noticed it said on the bottles for 1983 - 1996 Ford vehicles.
Her owners manual and dipstick both only say Mercon. The 1983 - 1996 is what is throwing me off. Sooo... am I good with what I have? And what is the difference between the Mercon and the Mercon V?

[jaged]

the car came with mercon III. If you are taking it to a shop to do they should have the correct stuff.

this should cover your questions

[deliveryguy]

I always thought *engine flushes were a gimmick...usually unnecessary if you've maintained oil/filters.

[jaged]

so as long as you change your oil filter do you not have to change the oil? besides the trans doesnt have a filter, and if it did would you want 190k on trans fluid like i do? and the trans has its own fluid separate from the engine oil

[deliveryguy]

I think drain and fills are different than flushes...this is based off an article I read that was geared towards engine flushes. I saw "flush" and my brain said "gimmick"...I should start thinking a little eh?

[bensenvill]

yup thinking is always a good thing.


now your right, there are 2 types, the mercron III/Dex?? something mix which is what was filled from the factory and Mercron V which is quite a bit more expensive. Ford actually discontinued manufacturing the Mercron III and released a service bullitin to migrate over the V stuff.

I'm still hesitant to put the Mercron V in....