Just a quick note....
I read recently that Ford is going to stop granting licenses for other manufacturers to make Mercon....I believe the date was April 2007. They are trying to encourage them to make Mercon V which is supposed to be better. I have a Mercon V car and I can't answer how this will affect the Mercon people. I assume that Ford will either make Mercon only under their own brand, or they will issue a new TSB instructing you which to use in place.
This is probably a good move because when I changed my Mercon V recently I had to go to the dealer because I couldn't find ANYONE who carried it. One parts place told me "Mercon V isn't popular enough." Now I don't want to be a stickler, but what about all those cars made since 2000 that are supposed to use it?? Either they are getting serviced at the dealer or not at all. And with the amount of chatter about bad Ford transmissions I'd have to assume it is probably just people not doing the service at all. But here is the thing. If I check my trans at the service station when I get gas and it is low, what do I use in place? Something labelled "Mercon V compatable." Which means I'm spoiling my Mercon V by adding half a quart here and there.
Moral or the story. If you buy a Ford, ask what the previous owner did for transmission service
