Castrol Mercon V -- Changed formula!!
Tomb stone
03-01-2007, 02:54 AM
A few weeks ago I posted about Castrol’s Mercon V ATF not having the
foul smell that it used to have. I noticed that my van developed ‘noticeably more’
torque converter shudder than usual almost immediately after changing the
fluid to this ‘non-smelly’ ATF.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=672210 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=672210)
Well, I contacted Castrol via e-mail and asked them if they had either
changed their formula - OR – if there had been a possible mix-up at the
factory and Dextron was packaged into Mercon V bottles. They replied,
stating that they DID change their formula to a “better” blend that is certified
by Ford to meet or exceed their specifications (SEE BELOW)
I haven’t changed my AFT again, but my van obviously doesn’t like this
NEW blend.
What to you guys think?? Could this new blend be causing the torque
converter shudder or could something else be wrong with my trans??
TOM
Thank you for contacting Castrol
Yes, there was an improvement made in the Castrol Mercon V product,
accordingly we do not have a concern with the difference in odor which you
noticed.
Castrol is continually looking for ways to provide its customers with the
best performing products by taking advantage of the latest lubricant
technologies. This requires us to periodically make changes in our
formulas.
When these changes are made, we conduct extensive testing to assure the
performance of the new formula matches or exceeds the performance of the
older formula. In this case every Mercon V approved ATF must pass rigorous
testing defined by Ford for an ATF to be granted a Mercon V approval. This
testing must be conducted at an independent laboratory and the test results
inspected by Ford engineers before a Mercon V approval will be granted to
the ATF.
You can be rest assure that the performance of the improved Castrol Mercon V
formula will match or exceed the performance of the older formulation you
may have been accustomed to.
Castrol Consumer Relations
foul smell that it used to have. I noticed that my van developed ‘noticeably more’
torque converter shudder than usual almost immediately after changing the
fluid to this ‘non-smelly’ ATF.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=672210 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=672210)
Well, I contacted Castrol via e-mail and asked them if they had either
changed their formula - OR – if there had been a possible mix-up at the
factory and Dextron was packaged into Mercon V bottles. They replied,
stating that they DID change their formula to a “better” blend that is certified
by Ford to meet or exceed their specifications (SEE BELOW)
I haven’t changed my AFT again, but my van obviously doesn’t like this
NEW blend.
What to you guys think?? Could this new blend be causing the torque
converter shudder or could something else be wrong with my trans??
TOM
Thank you for contacting Castrol
Yes, there was an improvement made in the Castrol Mercon V product,
accordingly we do not have a concern with the difference in odor which you
noticed.
Castrol is continually looking for ways to provide its customers with the
best performing products by taking advantage of the latest lubricant
technologies. This requires us to periodically make changes in our
formulas.
When these changes are made, we conduct extensive testing to assure the
performance of the new formula matches or exceeds the performance of the
older formula. In this case every Mercon V approved ATF must pass rigorous
testing defined by Ford for an ATF to be granted a Mercon V approval. This
testing must be conducted at an independent laboratory and the test results
inspected by Ford engineers before a Mercon V approval will be granted to
the ATF.
You can be rest assure that the performance of the improved Castrol Mercon V
formula will match or exceed the performance of the older formulation you
may have been accustomed to.
Castrol Consumer Relations
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026