Abbby Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Hi. I just bought a 2010 MKZ AWD and want to change the transmission fluid. Not sure if I need Mercon LV or XT-8-QAW. Looks like Valvoline Maxlife ATF might be the right stuff. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, Abbby said: Hi. I just bought a 2010 MKZ AWD and want to change the transmission fluid. Not sure if I need Mercon LV or XT-8-QAW. Looks like Valvoline Maxlife ATF might be the right stuff. Thanks in advance. Hi Abbby. I do not have your Owners Manual handy. You need to use the transmission fluid specification listed in the Maintenance and Specifications section of your Owners Manual. If you do not have the hard copy handy or did not receive it when you purchased, you can download the PDF version here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/parts-service/resources/owner-manuals/ Good luck. Edited November 28, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 (edited) You need the XT-8-QAW, which is called Premium ATF on the bottle. Warning on the back says not to use where Mercon, Mercon V, Mercon LV, Mercon SP, or Type F are needed. It does not look like Valvoline MaxLife fits the specs for use in the Aisin AW21 transmission. Edited November 28, 2020 by Viking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Hi Abbby. Just to add a little to Viking's good information. If you look at the fluid charts in the "Maintenance and Specifications" section of your Owners Manual, you will find the correct "Ford Part Number/Ford Specification" listed as "XT-8-QAW /WSS-M2C924-A" So the Ford Part Number is "XT-8-QAW". And the correct Ford Specification is "WSS-M2C924-A". When comparison shopping a non-Ford/Motorcraft product, it is the Specification (WSS-M2C924-A) that you will usually need to look for, since the actual Ford Part number (e.g. XT-8-QAW) may not be listed listed on non-Motorcraft products. So in the case of Viking's photo, the important detail is where it states "Meets Ford WSS-M2C924-A specification". That is the same specification you need to find listed on the container of any other brand you are thinking of using. Let us know how yo make out and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbby Posted November 28, 2020 Author Share Posted November 28, 2020 The owners manual specifies to use motorcraft premium transmission fluid. It does not give any more details. I went to the Ford dealer and they told me that it varies depending on what transmission you have and they would need the VIN number to verify. I gave them my VIN number and it came up as requiring mercon v. That is what I plan to use unless I find evidence otherwise. Thank you for the information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Abbby said: The owners manual specifies to use motorcraft premium transmission fluid. It does not give any more details. I went to the Ford dealer and they told me that it varies depending on what transmission you have and they would need the VIN number to verify. I gave them my VIN number and it came up as requiring mercon v. That is what I plan to use unless I find evidence otherwise. Thank you for the information Hi Abbby. I would triple verify that information the Dealer's Parts Department gave you before putting Mercon V in your transmission. I copied and pasted the information directly from your Owners Manual. In your Owners Manual, in the "Maintenance and Specifications" section (page 301 of the 3rd printing PDF version), there are tables listing all the specifications for all the fluids in the vehicle. The transmission fluid required is "Motorcraft Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid" with the following specifications: Ford Part Number "XT-8-QAW" and Ford Specification and "WSS-M2C924-A" The power steering system requires Mercon V. Unless Mercon V meets the "WSS-M2C924-A" specification, it would not be a compatible transmission fluid. Perhaps there has been a spec change over the years, it happens. However, you better be sure the Dealer did not make a mistake. Let us know how you make out and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 I agree with bbf2530. I'd triple check using Mercon V. The Motorcraft site clearly specifies XT-8-QAW Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid for use in the Aisin AW F21 transmission that's in your car. The Motorcraft part # (s) for Mercon V on the site are completely different from the aforementioned fluid. Additionally, Mercon V meets Ford spec WSS-M2C202-B; clearly not that of the Premium ATF. Alternatively, you can use Toyota T-IV fluid for Aisin transmissions. I wouldn't use anything else. You can't go wrong with the owners manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbby Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 I do tend to agree with using XT-8-QAW but would like to fully understand so I make an informed decision. If you look at the attached Ford chart I do not see XT-8-QAW in there unless that is LV. I am going to trying to confirm what transmission is in my vehicle. The Aisin AW21 is not in this chart but I am guessing the chart has the Ford number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbby Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 Here is what the Valvoline chart shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) Hi Abbby. I do not see the AWF-21 transmission for your MKZ listed on that chart in any code I recognize. As far as confirming what transmission is in your MKZ: The non-hybrid 2010 MKZ only came with one transmission, the Aisin AWF-21/TR-VX .There is a transmission code listed on the manufacturers placard located on your drivers side door sill. And there is a chart in your Owners Manual listing the codes for verification (page 305 of the PDF version). The code on the manufacturers placard will be "B". And the Owners Manual chart will list "B" as being the "Aisin AW F21/(TR-VX)" transmission. As we have stated, the proper transmission fluid for your MKZ is the specification listed in your Owners Manual. In addition to my 2018 MKZ, I also have a 2007 MKZ. The 2007 is equipped with the same AWF-21 transmission as your 2010. The trans fluid spec is also Ford Part Number "XT-8-QAW" and Ford Specification and "WSS-M2C924-A". That is what was used when the trans was flushed and filled last year. My best advice? Stop looking for other charts and graphs. As drolds1 also stated, you should use the specification listed in your Owners Manual. It is the correct one. Just make sure the fluid you use clearly states on the bottle that it meets the "WSS-M2C924-A" specification. Not that it is "recommended for" or any other wording. Let us know how you make out and good luck. Edited November 29, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbby Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 bbf2530 - I agree with you and appreciate the help. Now I just need to find the premium fluid. May need to go to the dealer. not a lot of options in my rural area. Will be stopping at Farm and Fleet today. Will not get the Maxlife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Abbby said: bbf2530 - I agree with you and appreciate the help. Now I just need to find the premium fluid. May need to go to the dealer. not a lot of options in my rural area. Will be stopping at Farm and Fleet today. Will not get the Maxlife. Hi Abbby. You are very welcome. Glad we could help. Also, keep in mind that prices are not fixed and can vary by Dealer, so shop around any Ford or Lincoln Dealers in your area (understanding your choices are limited due to being in a rural area). Always ask for a lower price than first quoted. Their initial price will usually be the MSRP, and they can go lower. Ask..."Would it be possible to get a better price than that?" Politely, of course. ? And as drolds1 mentioned, you can also use "Toyota T-IV fluid", if you have any Toyota Dealers in your area. Same fluid, different packaging. Let us know how you make out and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) Removed due to incomplete information Edited November 30, 2020 by Viking More info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 You don't have to even leave your house: Amazon eBay You can search either for Toyota T-IV as well. It seems to be less expensive than the Motorcraft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, Viking said: Abbby, to the best of my knowledge, this is the best transmission fluid available on the market for your application. You need seven quarts and a bit (or 7 liters) https://www.amsoil.com/shop/find/product/atfpk-ea/ If you know of any Amsoil dealers, they could supply it, or if you do not, then you can order it directly from Amsoil. If you need a dealer number you may use 29306. This is the only other product aside from Ford Premium ATF that I am "certain" meets the specification. I used it in my Aisin AW21 2012 Lincoln MKZ tranny. Lincoln changed trannies for the 2013 model year. Here is a link to Ford, which indicates that the Parts counters at Ford Dealerships should have the Ford Premium. https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/lubricants/transmission-fluids/premium-automatic-transmission-fluids.html Hi Viking. Personally, I would not use that Amsoil trans fluid for several reasons, and here is why: Amsoil does not clearly state it meets the required "WSS-M2C924-A" specification. They simply state they "recommend it" for the listed tranmissions. As I mentioned in one of my previous replies, that is not good enough. "Meets and/or exceeds the WSS-M2C924-A specification" and "We recommend..." are two very different statements. In addition, despite the claims in that advertising, I find it difficult to accept that one trans fluid can fit all the specifications/classifications for "Ford MERCON*, MERCON* V, ESP-M2C166-H, FNR5, M2C924-A, XL-12". And those are only the Ford specifications Amsoil claims it can be used for. Then they claim it can be used for a multitude of other manufacturers transmissions. Common sense would state that if different transmissions have different fluid specs, one fluid can not be a one-size-fits-all alternative to all those different fluid specs. Generally speaking, Amsoil does not perform the necessary tests to qualify for recognized SAE and other classifications. They say they do it to save money for the customer (yet their pricing is relatively high). I am not doubting you have had good luck with Amsoil in your vehicle. I would just not use it in mine, nor recommend it for others in a case like this. Just my opinion based on experience. Good luck. Edited November 30, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 19 hours ago, bbf2530 said: Hi Viking. Personally, I would not use that Amsoil trans fluid for several reasons, Just my opinion based on experience. Good luck. You are absolutely correct. I did not fully read the information, although it did state it met the Toyota T-IV specs. As I am a fan of Amsoil products, I did use it, and hopefully, there will be no adverse effect. Thank you for more fully reading and pointing out the possible deficiencies, bbf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 55 minutes ago, Viking said: You are absolutely correct. I did not fully read the information, although it did state it met the Toyota T-IV specs. As I am a fan of Amsoil products, I did use it, and hopefully, there will be no adverse effect. Thank you for more fully reading and pointing out the possible deficiencies, bbf. Hi Viking. Thank you for understanding I was only trying to help. Some are not so understanding...unfortunately. ? I just want to mention that just as with the "WSS-M2C924-A" specification", Amsoil does not state it meets the Toyota T-IV specs or any similar phrase. Just like with the Ford transmissions, Amsoil only states that they "recommend" it for the Toyota T-IV transmission. That is not the equivalent of stating it "Meets and/or exceeds the WSS-M2C924-A specification", " "Meets the WSS-M2C924-A specification" or any similar phrasing. We need to purchase fluids that clearly stare they "Meet and/or exceed..." whatever specification is listed in our Owners Manual. I know it may seem the wording is a small thing, and it can be confusing. However, the words really matter in this case. Hope you have many happy miles! Good luck! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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