You're right, i know - ford recommend the V formula to prevent the aforementioned problems because it's synthetic, which can handle the heat. But few shops will just put it in there as a default - since in the owners manual it says III cuz V hadn't come out yet. So they will put in whatever is cheaper w/out asking you.
Correct!!!!!
The reason they can get away with it is because by the time the tranny explodes, the last thing the customer will do is blame the shop.
IOW you can use just about any tranny fluid in any tranny and at worst you might get torque converter shudder or maybe delayed or slightly rough shifting and that is worst case.
It will however *work*.
The problem is, it won't work for long and when the seals swell or heat kills things you will be in for a very high bill.
What gets me is Mobil's very deceptive label.
Look on the front and it looks like a perfect low cost alternative for Ford Mercon V.
Read the back and it's a little unclear with no real commitment being made. They start talking about type H fluid etc...
Very confusing IMHO.
They key phrase IMHO is Dexron/Mercon, meaning one fluid for both applications.
I shy away from stuff like that.
Compare to Castrol, which says right on the bottle, approved by Ford for Mercon V applications.
Big difference IMHO...
It wouldn't surprise me to discover that Castrol makes the Mercon V for Ford.
In general when one of these new fluids gets spec'd by a manufacturer, the first OEM to release the product after market is *generally* the company that makes it for the auto manufacturer.
Top secret stuff, but in general.
Chrysler did the same crap with their ATF+3, +4 and now +5 fluid....
Grossly overpriced from the dealer.