mercon

Mercon is a brand name used for a family of automatic transmission fluids (ATFs) associated with Ford Motor Company. It was developed to meet Ford’s specification requirements for its automatic transmissions and is used in many Ford vehicles as well as in some non-Ford applications.

The Mercon lineup has included several formulations, with Mercon V noted as a higher-performance synthetic blend and Mercon LV as a low-viscosity option designed for newer, electronically controlled transmissions. Other variants exist depending on market and model year. The exact formulation chosen for a given vehicle is determined by the manufacturer’s specifications and service requirements.

Care and compatibility: Always consult the vehicle’s owner manual or service literature for the correct specification. Using a fluid that does not meet the required Mercon specification (or using the wrong transmission fluid category) can cause shifting problems, slipping, or transmission damage. Some vehicles may tolerate certain Mercon variants across generations, but compatibility is not universal and modern transmissions often require specific formulations.

Manufacturing and availability: While Ford originally developed Mercon, many brands now market Mercon-formulated ATFs under license or as compatible substitutes. The Mercon designation may appear on bottles from various automotive lubricant brands, reflecting compatibility with Ford specifications rather than ownership of a single product line.