I bought a brand new at the time 2007 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 5.4. LTR, it has 71,000 on the odometer. I never really used it much (stored inside So.California) but retired and now I don't have the company car to rack up the miles. I have to say I love this truck; I have had zero issues with it. With that said, I had the dealer do most of the service, only used Mobil 1 20K oil and filter.

I really can't afford to have the dealer do the simple stuff. I paid the dealer for the 50K service, all trans and fluid flush. My question is, my power steering fluid is a bit low, I was told by our dealer to watch out for fake motorcraft MERCON V automatic transmission fluid, I would like to buy this on-line. The guy at AutoZone said Valvoline is just as good? My concern is mixing the two.

Thanks all

The new guy in Southern California
Mark

 

Welcome.
Personally I use valvoline maxlife multivehicle ATF as my replacement and don't hesitate to mix with Mercon V. Its cheap and widely available.

But if you have qualms, just order a quart of Mercon V or stop by the dealer and get some.

 

How many miles have you driven /waited between oil changes ?

 

Hoping his answer isn’t 20k with that 5.4 3v.

 

that's only 7200 miles a year. I would hope he changed it at least once a year.

 

Welcome!

 

I had the dealership change all my fluids, breaks, radiator flush, power steering, trans at 50K. I change the oil once a year Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 long life 20K filter (30K one)
Up until this month i used it a /bout once a week, now it's going to be my everyday driver.
So I can mix the power steering fluid. The dealer wants $100.00 per quart.

The fake one of mercon V are all over the internet, 30 bucks.

My plan from this point on is to do some of the minor repairs myself.

Mark

 

this is some wildly inflated info. Someone is giving your bad info. Merc v should be about $11/qt regular non sale price at major parts store (perhaps a little more because you’re in ca).

two suggestions, find:

1) rockauto (for parts)

2) fordtechmakeuloco on YouTube (for info on 5.4 3v maint)

Good luck.

ps: 3rd suggestion: don’t ever go back to that dealer.

 

Here is what I found on the net.
Notice the top of the bottle that says "Mercon compatible" the fake stuff

The Motorcraft without that disclosure sells for over 90 bucks.

Am i beating myself up over this "Mixing fluids" and go with the counter guy said at AutoZone use Valvoline, $10 bucks?

Amazon.com: Motorcraft XT5QMC Mercon Automatic Transmission Fluid : Automotive

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-XT5QMC-Mercon-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B00130LI9I/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1HIGWE03FBZ5E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d2 MJl8oXwTfK8q5A8J3nYP11-h0dC1c8GvzUciEXApCJ1C57ipd6GQzoxviSwxqeorxEih1PyLm TfbCqNxI4HR5OSoXYinQlRY1umUYYcMsdscCY0up2zPibbqQu6 UGD6ScSMR3NbCilpW1HX5WSNIreopCwhivm3GPR6ijVvMcVob9 FmvwOqHQkNCfRbhCbN9UBjjw5Tx-mH8fPsd04_Qkebr8Mz9xl4ljC1nvB-w57chlWNfuGZnmmj6LTka3a3DGLxZca6iyn07_1otsA2UX1_uN bwezRbdAMamILtWM.MB0YFMHiUUx2YwbIDMwIFE2_WElE3y_Tb WNTnD6hMXY&dib_tag=se&keywords=motorcraft+mercon+l v+automatic+transmission+fluid&qid=1720686792&spre fix=motercraft+MERCON+V+automatic+transmission+flu id%2Caps%2C364&sr=8-11

 

you need to pay closer attention to the details:

Mercon and ‘Mercon v’ are two separate products.

the second Amazon link for ~$90 is for 12 bottles/quarts

both Amazon listings are for the same product: Mercon v (one is for single qt other for 12, one shows old lable style, other new…. Same product)