Took my car in for service with a lack of power steering assist. I have the 7 yr /75k miles on the car and it just turned 12,500 miles. Turns out the pump and rack both need to be replaced.

The dealer is not warranting replacement because they said I used the wrong fluid when the fluid ran below the minimum line. They saw that on my account I purchased the Motorcraft ATF which is Mercon. I used exactly what the manual said "If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCON ATF."

The dealer is saying I should have used the Motorcraft Power Steering Fluid which is Mercon V.
According to this stie http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/ Note: All power steering systems built after 1998 require the use of MERCONŽV fluid.

Who is wrong?

 

After looking at the 08 & 09 owners manual, ford has changed it to say mercon V and not just mercon atf. Why do I have the feeling I am about to get screwed...

But wait, the 07 owners manual specifies mercon atf XT-2-QDX (which is what I bought). Did ford change the power steering fluid specs after or is their a mistake in the 05-07 owners manual?

 

I looked at your owners manual online and it does say Mercon, nothing about Mercon V. Show them the owners manual and demand they fix it. If they balk, just remember that everyone has a boss and you shouldn't be afraid to ask to speak to them.

 

I just got off the phone with another dealer and they sent me a TSB that said the following:

Beginning immediately all automatic transmission / transaxle applications requiring MERCON can now be serviced using MERCON V or MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid or dual usage fluids MERCON / MERCON V. After July 1, 2007, MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid will no longer be manufactured, therefore, availability of this fluid will only continue for however long it takes to deplete what remains in inventory.

Here is a link to the same TSB I found on another site: http://www.aa1car.com/library/ford_tsb_06144.pdf

This other dealer also said that the first dealer and myself are both right. The fluid I used is correct and so is the one in the 09 manual. According to the part number that the 09 references it is a dual usage fluid for both MERCON and MERCON V.

Looks like I will be taking my car to a dealer that knows what is going on...

 

You are correct in using MERCON. Ford decided to cease using MERCON and issued the TSB. You followed the owners manual. I have a 2005 and I use Mercon since it is still available in the aftermarket. In summary both fluids are acceptable.

 

The TSB says Mercon V is a good replacement, but it doesnt say if the Mercon has to be drained before putting in the Mercon V. Any idea?

BTW, the car has been at the dealer since Wednesday. They put a GT500 rack on it thinking it would work and they were not able to get it aligned. I have to wait until next week until a GT rack somes in.

 

I pretty sure Mercon V is a synthetic blend so I don't think there will be compatibility issues. Ford should be able to answer your question so there will be no further warranty issues. If they're changing the rack I would think they'll flush the power steering system first so as not to introduce old contaminated fluid into your new rack.

 

I just topped off my PS with Castrol Mercon V. It says it can be added to Mercon and it meets the ford spec. My 08 manual says Mercon V by the way for manual and PS. I think Mercon for AT.

 

My 08 Owners Manual says Mercon V ATF for 5 spd, Auto trans, and Power Steering.

 

Mine is a first printing for model year but I can't remember the auto for sure since it doesn't apply to me.