GEN 1 Transfer Case Oil: Mercon LV ATF vs XL12 Transfer Case Fluid

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
Gary E

Gary E

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Posts
917
Reaction score
732
Location
Medford, Oregon
Changed the transfer case oil today using XL12. Couldn't use a oil bottle pump to put the new fluid in as the XL12 bottles have a larger spout like the Mercon LV. A small funnel and piece of hose was a pain and was messy. Drained 52 ounces (1.75 quarts) out and put in 52 ounces to get it up to the fill hole threads. The manual shows capacity as 1.5 quarts (48 ounces).
 

COBRA90GT

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Posts
808
Reaction score
421
Location
HOCKEYTOWN ® MI

Buzzard2

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2018
Posts
447
Reaction score
268
Location
Sincity
Went to one of the local dealers to get the Transfer case oil and they do not sell it anymore sold me Mercon LV. Being the skeptic that I am I called another dealer and got the same answer Mercon LV for the T- Case.
 

Sozzy12

FRF Addict
Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Posts
1,759
Reaction score
2,876
Location
South Idaho
Went to one of the local dealers to get the Transfer case oil and they do not sell it anymore sold me Mercon LV. Being the skeptic that I am I called another dealer and got the same answer Mercon LV for the T- Case.

I did the same thing a few weeks ago. Got the same answer. MerconLV. Parts guy said Ford phased out the transfer case fluid a few years ago.
 

Ruger

FRF Addict
Joined
May 16, 2011
Posts
9,190
Reaction score
8,261
Location
Northern Nevada
I did the same thing a few weeks ago. Got the same answer. MerconLV. Parts guy said Ford phased out the transfer case fluid a few years ago.

Something isn't right here. I bought a quart of the Ford Transfer Case Fluid from a Ford dealership just last year.
 
OP
OP
Gary E

Gary E

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Posts
917
Reaction score
732
Location
Medford, Oregon
I wonder if your dealer had a stockpile they are trying to get rid of by pawning it off on you?

I wouldn't call it "pawning it off". It's not a negative. It's what's in the manual. Where it's still available, I'll buy it and use it. When it's gone then it'll be the Mercon.
 

Ruger

FRF Addict
Joined
May 16, 2011
Posts
9,190
Reaction score
8,261
Location
Northern Nevada
I wish there was a means to compare the two. I'm curious as to whether Ford discontinued its product because it was inferior or not worth continuing to market. But near as I can tell, Ford has never published the characteristics or formula of it's Transfer Case Fluid. Mystery Liquid!
 

tplee

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2014
Posts
252
Reaction score
107
Location
South Carolina
I don't think we have a definitive answer on this yet.

Not sure if being sarcastic, but 100% solid confirmation that XL-12/ESP-M2C166-H transfer case fluid is replaced by XT-10-QLVC/MERCON LV and is specifically cited to be used in "F-150 Raptor" models years 2012-2014 and 2017-2019 (not sure why it does not go back to 2010, but does for the broader "F-150 / Expedition / Navigator" application; 2010-2019, in fact). Note that this may NOT be true in reverse...there are some applications where MERC LV is called for where XL-12 can NOT be used.

Reference Ford's official Motorcraft Chemicals and Lubricants site:

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/quickref.asp
 
Top