MERCON


MERCON is the trade name for a group of technical specifications of automatic transmission fluid created by Ford. The name is a registered trademark of Ford, which licenses the name and specifications to companies which manufacture the fluid and sell it under their own brand names. Not all Mercon fluids are licensed for reselling under another brand name. All licensed Mercon fluids must have a license number on the container. If no license number is found, the fluid may not be Ford approved and the fluid cannot be guaranteed to meet Ford specifications. Ford, like many automobile manufacturers, uses transmissions sourced from other suppliers or transmission manufacturers around the world; these transmissions are not manufactured by Ford. Many of these automatic transmissions use unique fluids that might not be shown on this page.
Originally the MERCON name was associated exclusively with automatic transmission fluids, later Ford released MERCON gear oils and other lubricants under the MERCON brand.

Ford Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF)

The original Mercon transmission fluid was introduced in January 1987. Over the years, the original Mercon was supplanted by Mercon "V", Mercon "SP", Mercon LV, and Mercon ULV which is the latest fluid. Ford has upgraded the Mercon specifications over the years; the newer fluids are not always backward compatible with previous fluids. Newer 6 and 10-speed transmissions as well as Plug-In Hybrid, and Electric Vehicle transmission technologies require specialized fluids to operate properly. There remains a market for older fluids that claim to meet the earlier fluid specifications. See the details below for backward compatibility of each fluid.

Before MERCON - 1942 - 1987

1942 - Motor Oil

In 1942, The Mercury 8 and Lincoln offered cars with an optional "Liquamatic Drive" using a fluid coupling, conventional clutch, and a semi-automatic three-speed transmission. The transmission had an overrunning clutch on the transmission countershaft. The flywheel's fluid coupling used S.A.E 10 motor oil for lubrication. The transmission gearbox used traditional gear oil. This transmission was only produced for a few months before the U.S.A. entered World War-II, production of this transmission was not resumed after the war.

1949 - GM Hydra-Matic Fluid

In April 1949, Lincoln began offering the General Motors Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission in their 1950 model year vehicles. This offering continued through the 1954 model year. Lincoln service information calls for "Lincoln Automatic Transmission Fluid". This fluid met the GM Hydra-Matic Drive fluid specifications.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
It is important to understand that every automatic transmission produced by any vehicle manufacturer used GM Type "A" transmission fluids in their transmissions from 1949-1958.
In 1950, 11 years after GM released the Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission and its special Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission Fluid, Ford released their first fully automatic transmission; the 1951 Fordomatic 3-speed transmission. This new fully automatic transmission used the GM Type "A" automatic transmission fluid specification. Ford and hundreds of other resellers, became a licensed reseller of the GM Type "A" fluid with an Armor Qualification number. The Type "A" fluid was marketed under the Ford brand name.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
In 1959, Ford released their own Type-A automatic transmission fluid specification and stopped using GM fluid specifications for their in-house transmissions. The Ford M2C33-A fluid had GM Type "A" Suffix "A" characteristics. Transmission fluid service life was fairly short, and frequent transmission oil changes were required.

1959 - Type "B" Fluid

In 1959, Ford released an updated automatic transmission fluid specification Type-B. The Ford M2C33-B fluid had GM Type "A" Suffix "A" characteristics. As with the previous specification, transmission fluid service life was fairly short, and frequent transmission oil changes were required.

1960 - Type "D" Fluid

In 1960, Ford introduced the Type-D specification for service fluid use in 1960 model year vehicles. This fluid specification change provided better oxidation control, anti-wear performance, and higher static capacity capabilities were also included. Oxidation control of the fluid was measured by a new Merc-O-Matic oxidation test.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
In 1967, Ford introduced a new fluid specification, the Type-F fluid. This fluid provided a high static coefficient of friction which resulted in harsh shifting.
The Type-F fluid specification was intended to produce a “lifetime” fluid which would never need to be changed. This is the first of many Ford “lifetime” fluids. The 1974 Ford Car Shop Manual reads "The automatic transmission is filed at the factory with "lifetime" fluid. If it is necessary to add or replace fluid, use only fluids which meet Ford Specification M2C33F.

1972 - Type "G" Fluid

In 1972, Ford of Europe introduced a new fluid specification, the Type-G fluid. This fluid was used through 1981.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
In September 1974, Ford introduced a new fluid specification, the Type-CJ fluid. This fluid provided smoother shifting and less gear noise by with higher dynamic friction characteristics. The Ford Type-CJ fluid specification also met the GM Dexron-II and earlier fluid specifications. Ford was a licensed GM Dexron-II vendor.
The Ford Type-CJ fluid was compatible with GM Dexron II specifications. This compatibility may suggest to some that all Ford, Mercon, and Dexron fluids are compatible; this is not correct. Always use the factory recommended fluid for your transmission.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
As a result of the 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo and fuel shortages, the U.S. government created the Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations in 1975. The regulations were to be fully implemented by the 1978 model year. The automotive industry responded by changing to three typically unused transmission technologies:
  1. A 4th gear
  2. A Torque Converter Clutch
  3. Front Wheel Drive.
The introduction of the TCC led to customer complaints of a shudder while driving. All vehicle manufacturers made changes to their ATF specifications and the controls of their TCC to try and alleviate the problem. GM released the Dexron-II fluid specification in 1978 and Chrysler released the ATF+2 fluid specification in 1980, and Ford released the Type-H fluid specification in June 1981.
The Type-H fluid specification provided improved friction characteristics in lock-up torque converters. With this new specification, Ford introduced the aluminum beaker oxidation test to replace the older Merc-O-Matic oxidation test.
The Ford Type-H fluid was compatible with GM Dexron II specifications. This compatibility may suggest to some that all Ford, Mercon, and Dexron fluids are compatible; this is not correct. Always use the factory recommended fluid for your transmission.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

1987 - MERCON

In January 1987, Ford released the original Mercon fluid specification. Mercon became a trademarked fluid with qualification and licensing of fluids to ensure quality in the marketplace. This original Mercon Specification was backward compatible with the 1981 Ford Type-H fluid and the 1958 GM Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid.
NOTICE: This version of Mercon was compatible with GM's Dexron-II and later formulations were compatible with Dexron-III; however, Future versions of Mercon are not compatible with GM's Dexron-III or any newer version of Dexron.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
In 1996, Ford released the Mercon "V" fluid specification. Ford Technical Service Bulletin 06-14-04 indicates that Mercon "V" is to replace the original Mercon fluid.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
The Mercon "V" specification was revised in 2002. This revised fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
In August 2001, Ford released the Mercon "SP" fluid specification.
Ford SSM 21114 indicates that Mercon Replace "SP" is to be replaced with Mercon LV on Torqshift transmissions from the 2003 through 2008 model years. This SSM does not apply to the ZF 6HP26 transmission.
This fluid first used in the following transmissions:
In December 2005, Ford released the Mercon "LV" fluid specification.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
This specification was revised in 2007 for use in the following transmissions:
This specification was revised again in 2010 and was optimized for anti-Squawk performance of clutches. This revised fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
The fluid specification for Mercon-ULV was introduced on January 2, 2014. Mercon ULV is composed of a Group 3+ Base oil and additives needed for the proper operation of the 2017 and above Ford 10R80 and the GM 10L90 10-Speed rear wheel drive automatic transmission.
This transmission and the transmission fluid specification was co-developed by Ford and GM. The current specification that defines the fluid is FORD WSS-M2C949-A. This fluid is also marketed as Dexron ULV.
NOTICE: The quart containers of Mercon ULV must be shaken to stir up the additives before pouring. This fluid is not backward compatible with any previous fluids.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
The 1967 Ford Type-F fluid specification was intended to produce a “lifetime” fluid which would never need to be changed. This was the first of many Ford “lifetime” fluids. The 1974 Ford Car Shop Manual reads "The automatic transmission is filled at the factory with "lifetime" fluid. If it is necessary to add or replace fluid, use only fluids which meet Ford Specification M2C33F. Many other transmission manufacturers have followed with their own "Lifetime" automatic transmission fluids".

Sealed Transmissions

Any automatic transmission fluid will last longer if the transmission case could be hermetically sealed, but transmissions typically have two potential entry points for air:
  1. The Dipstick Tube. Any transmission with a dipstick tube has the potential to let additional oxygen into the transmission through a dipstick that is not fully seated in the tube, or dipstick tube plug that is not fully seated. Even the process of checking the fluid level with a dipstick can allow additional oxygen and dirt into the transmission. Many modern transmissions do not have a dipstick, they have sealed transmission fluid level check plugs instead. By removing the traditional dipstick, the transmission manufacturer has also removed a potential entry point for oxygen; this reduces the potential for fluid oxidation. A sealed transmission will typically have longer transmission fluid life than a non-sealed transmission.
  2. The Transmission Vent. Transmissions need vents to compensate for internal air pressure changes that occur with fluctuating fluid temperatures and fluctuating fluid levels during transmission operation. Without those vents, pressure could build resulting in seal and gasket leaks. Before the use of better quality base oil in ATF in the late 1990s, some older transmission breather vents contained a Transmission Air Breathing Suppressor valve to prevent oxygen and water ingestion into their transmissions. Oxygen reacts with high-temperature transmission fluid and can cause oxidation, rust, and corrosion. Automatic transmission fluids using lower quality base oil oxidized more easily than fluids using higher quality base oils. Ford, and other transmission manufacturers now use smaller, remote mounted, breather vents specially designed to keep out water, but allow a small amount of air movement through the breather as necessary.

    Sealed ATF Containers

Any automatic transmission fluid will last longer if it comes from an unopened container
  1. Use Sealed Containers. Containers storing automatic transmission fluid should always be sealed; if exposed to the atmosphere, ATF may absorb moisture and potentially cause shift concerns.
  2. Use New Fluid Only. When performing repairs on ATF equipped transmissions, it is important to use only new, clean ATF when refilling the transmission. Never reuse ATF.

    Example Maintenance Schedule

Lifetime automatic transmission fluids made from higher quality base oil and an additive package are more chemically stabile, less reactive, and do not experience oxidation as easily as lower quality fluids made from lower quality base oil and an additive package. Therefore, higher quality transmission fluids can last a long time in normal driving conditions.
The definition of 'Lifetime Fluid" differs from transmission manufacturer to transmission manufacturer. Always consult the vehicle maintenance guide for the proper service interval for the fluid in your transmission and your driving conditions.
2018 Ford F-150 Example: According to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide of a 2018 Ford F-150 with "Lifetime Fluid" could have three different fluid service intervals depending upon how the vehicle is driven:
1. Normal Driving
Replace automatic transmission fluid every 150,000 mi
2. Severe Driving
Replace automatic transmission fluid every 30,000 mi
3. Extreme Driving
Replace automatic transmission fluid every 30,000 mi

Aftermarket Automatic Transmission Fluids

For over 70 years, the oil aftermarket has produced both licensed, and non-licensed, formulations of automatic transmission fluids. Today, aftermarket fluids asserted by their manufacturers to be compatible for use in General Motors automatic transmissions continue to be sold under names such as Dexron/Mercon, Multi-Purpose, and Multi-Vehicle fluids. Non-licensed fluid is typically less expensive, these fluids are not regulated or endorsed by Ford for use in their transmissions.Vehicle manufacturer approved and licensed fluids must have the license number printed on the product information label of the container or on the container housing. Non-Licensed fluids do not show a license number. Make sure the fluid to be installed into a transmission matches the recommended fluid in the specifications section of the vehicle's owner's manual.

Mislabeled or Misleading Labeling on ATF Containers

ATF which has been mislabeled, has misleading labeling, or is fraudulently bottled as another product is an ongoing problem. Some of these fluids have led to multiple transmission failures. The three organizations shown below are trying to stop this problem in the United States.
  1. United States Laws: The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Handbook 130 2019 Edition, contains Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Fuel Quality. Section IV.G.3.14 defines laws regulating the Labeling and Identification of Transmission Fluid. Paragraph IV.G.3.14.1.1. Container Labeling. reads The label on a container of transmission fluid shall not contain any information that is false or misleading.
  2. California Laws: The State of California has developed additional Laws in an attempt to prevent mislabeled and misleading labeling. Statutes: California Business and Professions Code, Division 5, Chapters 6, 14, 14.5, and 15. Regulations: California Code of Regulation, Title 4, Division 9, Chapters 6 and 7.
  3. American Petroleum Institute Monitoring: The American Petroleum Institute maintains a list of invalid labeling of petroleum products. This real-time list includes motor oils and ATF.