Transmission Fluid for the 2002 Ford F-150
The short answer
Most 2002 Ford F-150 pickups with an automatic transmission are specified for Ford Mercon V automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Mercon V is a Ford fluid specification, not a brand. It is sold under Ford's Motorcraft label and by other manufacturers whose products are licensed to that specification. However, a 2002 F-150 could be built with more than one transmission, so the transmission in your truck determines the correct fluid. Confirm the specification for your truck before buying or adding fluid.
Why the transmission matters
The 2002 F-150 was offered with several engine and drivetrain combinations. Automatic and manual gearboxes were both available depending on configuration, and heavier-duty or performance versions did not always share a transmission with the standard trucks. Fluid requirements follow the transmission rather than the model name, so a general answer for the F-150 should not be treated as final for any individual truck.
Automatic transmission: generally specified for Mercon V ATF. Manual transmission: fluid requirements differ from the automatic and should be confirmed separately for the specific gearbox. Special or heavy-duty variants: verify the specification individually rather than assuming it matches a standard F-150.
How to confirm the right fluid for your truck
Owner's manual: the capacities and specifications section lists the required transmission fluid for the vehicle as built. Dipstick or fill-point marking: some automatic transmission dipsticks show the fluid type. Vehicle certification label: the label on the driver's door or door pillar includes a transmission code that identifies which unit was installed. Ford dealer parts or service department: a dealer can look up the original specification from the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Points to note about Mercon fluids
Ford has used several fluids with similar names, including Mercon, Mercon V, Mercon LV and Mercon ULV. They are not interchangeable. Mercon V superseded the original Mercon specification, so Mercon V is the fluid normally available for trucks of this era that originally called for either. The later low-viscosity fluids, Mercon LV and Mercon ULV, were developed for newer transmissions. Do not use them in a transmission that calls for Mercon V unless Ford service information for your vehicle approves it. When buying a non-Motorcraft fluid, check that the container states it meets the Mercon V specification. Wording such as "suitable for" or "recommended for use in" is not the same as a stated specification.
Gaps in this guide
This guide does not give fluid capacities, service intervals, or transmission-by-engine pairings for the 2002 F-150. Those details vary by configuration and could not be verified from the available material. Take them from the owner's manual, Ford service information or a dealer for your specific truck. The same applies to the exact fluid for manual-transmission and special-variant trucks. If the transmission has a known problem, such as slipping, harsh shifts or burnt-smelling fluid, a fluid change alone may not fix it, and a qualified technician should diagnose it first.