Did Ford put the wrong fluid in my transmission?

joeyalex · Nov 7, 2006

Ok, so here's the story. i just moved. Needed to have my 60k transmission service done, so I took it to the closest Ford dealer here. They charged me an extra $50 than the other dealer I used to take it to, and I think they may have put the wrong fluid in the transmission. My old service paper from the 30k service says they filled it with 15 quarts of XT 5 QM Mercon V fluid. The new paper from yesterday says they filled it with 16 quarts of XT 2 QDX transmission fluid. That's just normal Mercon fluid, isn't it? I have a feeling they were supposed to put the Mercon V in and didn't for some reason.

Car is a 2003 Duratec 2.3 atx. Any thoughts?

bryst06 · Nov 7, 2006

Mercon and Mercon V type fluids are not interchangeable. DO not mix Mercon and Mercon V. Use of a transmission fluid that indicates dual usage (Mercon and Mercon V.) in an automatic transmission application requiring Mercon may cause transmission damage. Use of any fluids other then recommended fluid may cuase transmission damage.

The Automatic Transaxle calls for Mercon V ATF. = XT-5-QM

It appares they just put in the Mercon AFT. = XT-2-QDX

Z63R · Nov 7, 2006

^ ^ ^ Nice...

It appears the part number XT-2-QDX refers to Mercon in quarts (as opposed to drums)... some info I've gotten mentions it as a multi-purpose fluid, but with no specifics.

You certainly have the right to return to that dealer's service department and with your Ford Focus Owners Guide open to the correct fluid specifications page, show the service writer what's up and literally demand the correct fluid with a rider(?) on your powertrain warranty because they may have installed merely Mercon where your 2.3 Duratec PZEV 4F27-E specifically requires Mercon V (XT 5 QM).

http://www.txchange.com/merconv.htm

In 1997 Ford introduced the new Mercon V (Mercon 5 ) (MV) transmission fluid. Mercon V was designed to improve friction material stability, prevent torque converter clutch chatter and lower overall operating temperature, including shift temperature.

Rather Ride · Nov 10, 2006

So what exactly is "shift temperature"?

Z63R · Nov 10, 2006

Maybe it's a newly-accessed (technologically) temp parameter having to do with clutch packs and bands rather than the usual heat in the fluid generated from the torque convertor, especially the older non-locking ones...

Other than that, I have no idea.

buzzbomb · Nov 12, 2006

My old service paper from the 30k service says they filled it with 15 quarts of XT 5 QM Mercon V fluid. The new paper from yesterday says they filled it with 16 quarts of XT 2 QDX transmission fluid.

Are these numbers right? I've never had occasion to change the fluid in an ATX, but just shy of five gallons of fluid seems like a bit much.

mr.squatch · Nov 18, 2006

The zetec foci auto's hold only 10 qts of fluid, but the machine we use holds 16. So we just fill the machine every time and if 10 comes out, 10 goes in and 6 stays in the machine, but we charge 16 every time in order to keep a flat rate for every vehicle. If they used a machine, it probably got the fluid out of bulk, which is mercon V. They'd have to go out of their way to get straight mercon from parts in bottles and fill the machine by hand. I'd guess it's a typo on the part of the parts department that then went to the cashier who charged for what the typo was. You have a good case to go back and get it changed again. Take them your owners manual, it shows what the car takes and how much (in the fluid capacities section)... And your bill from the last visit and compare. If they say oh its just a typo you can insist they change it again, also that they take off the extra money since they cannot fit so much fluid in there.

I don't remember what goes in the duratechs if it's more than 10qts or not, the manual can tell you.

g

bryst06 · Nov 18, 2006

the manual says 6.9 qts

Did Ford put the wrong fluid in my transmission?

joeyalex

bryst06

Z63R

Rather Ride

Z63R

buzzbomb

mr.squatch

bryst06

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