Mercon V is Mercon V?

[AstroVic]

Black bottle Mercon V XT-5-QM
Red bottle Mercon V XT-5-QMC

I just bought some Mercon V at the Ford stealership today. The guy mentioned something about whether I needed the red or the black bottles. I told him I didn't care so long as it was the correct Mercon V for my 2003 Marauder. He came back with the red bottles.

Previously, I've used the black bottles for my 2000 CVPI, but I couldn't remember all of this while I was standing there at the parts counter, so I took the red and went about my merry way.

When I got home, I discovered that the few leftover bottles from my last CVPI transmission fluid change were indeed black. My Marauder owner's manual says I should use "XT-5-QM" Mercon V, which is the black bottle stuff. I also noticed that the red bottles say something like "Type H compatible" or something to that effect.

Am I okay with the red bottles or should I return them and get the black ones? What in the heck does the "C" at the end of the "XT-5-QMC" mean anyhow?

It's no big deal for me to return them, but if it's pointless then I won't waste my time. :)

Thanks for the help, transmission gurus.

[thePunisher]

they are the same...they used to be blakc but they are now red....black bottles are old stock

[AstroVic]

they are the same...they used to be blakc but they are now red....

That's kinda what I figured. The red ones look newer because they specifically state that they are good for Dexron III uses, too.

Thanks for the confirmation. I appreciate it!

[sweetair]

I got the red ones too whata I did the auxillary cooler mod. It still works so I guess I am OK.

[RF Overlord]

Todd, when Ford, in its infinite wisdom, decided after all these years of denial that it really WAS alright to use Mercon V in place of plain Mercon, they started packaging it in the red bottles that are dual-use labelled. It's the same fluid as in the black bottles and is fine for use in a Mercon V application, although I would be hesitant to use it where plain Mercon was originally required, with the exception of the older AODE/4R70Ws, which have been cleared for Mercon V for quite some time now.