Ford: 2003 Ford Ranger Manual Transmission, lucas oil treatment, automatic transmission fluid

Question
QUESTION:    I took my truck for the 60000 mile Maintenance service at a dealer. As part of it they were supposed to change out the fluid in manual transmission. Taking it home, I noticed right away it was shifting rougher. It was loose enough but I often (not always)have to fight to get it into 3rd and sometimes 1st. I assumed they did not fill it up all the way. I took it back in the next day. I told them to check if it was truly topped off. They said they checked it out and said that there was nothing wrong with it. Now the transmission sometimes pops out of 1st while I am idling at a stoplight. The shifter went from so smooth that I never had to think about it to now I have to consciously think about the shifts. Going into 3rd, many times, I have to back into to neutral and try again.
  My "Owners Guide" says to use "Mercon" automatic transmission fluid for the manuals. The dealer put in "Mercon V" automatic transmission fluid. An auto parts store told me that "Mercon V" is just the synthetic version and they are interchangeable. My "Owners Guide" also says, "Mercon and Mercon V are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix Mercon and Mercon V." It is not clear if they are refering the automatics or the manuals, or both. The manual transmission has one of those "fill up the the fluid through the hole in the side until the fluid is even with the hole in the side--- on a level surface.
  What are your thoughts on this? Low fluidlevel? Mixing two fluids that should not be mixed?
ANSWER: Good day Joe, Thanks for the question. well to start off at all for dealers they are phasing out "mercon" transmission fluid and replacing it with "mercon V". I have seen when servicing transmission fluid with mercon V that my customers have noticed changes in there transmission. I can only recommend replacing the fluid with normal mercon as well throw a little oil treatment into the mix. I like using Lucas oil treatment myself. what is happening is the fluid is not allowing things to slip like they used to and this may not correct the jumping out of 1st, but it should improve the shift into 3rd you do have. As for the mixing it is not going to hurt going to V but you cant go from the recommended V back to mercon. If this does not correct any of your concerns then transmission repair is the next step. Let me know how you make out

Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:   Thanks for the quick reply. It is good to know I was not imagining it.
  The guy at Pep Boys implied I would have a hard time finding any "Mercon". I will try anyway.
  I am surprised that the new synthetic "Mercon V" is less slippery than the old non-synthetic. Could it be less sticky -that is, it does not stick to the gear teeth like the old stuff?
  It is safe to mix "oil treatment" with transmission fluid?? Just not TOO much???
  If I do find the old Mercon, I guess I will have to drain out the "V" before I put in the Old Mercon?
Thanks

Joe Beck  

Answer
Yes Joe it is best to drain out all the old mercon v out of your transmission. I also recommend some Lucas brand oil treatment I use it in all my vehicles. With any additive follow the directions for the amount you are using. Lucas brand can be used in diffs transmissions as well as engines. Good luck and let me know how you make out.

Jim

p.s. sorry for the late response was away for the weekend