A How To: changing manual transmission fluid
06-18-2012, 03:50 PM
#121
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 11,278
Thanks for the write-up (4 years ago, LOL). I did mine this weekend; went with Mobil 1 ATF. The old fluid (2006 GT, 20K miles) really looked like crap. I noticed a small, but noticeable, improvement in shifting smoothness.
BTW I did not trust myself to run the tube up through the shifter without making a huge mess inside the car. I just ran a 3.5 or so foot extension on the transfer pump, poured 4quarts into a clean gallon container, and pumped 3 quarts or so in from the gallon container while I comfortably sat next to the car. Once about 3 quarts were in, I got under the car and did the last 0.2 or so from under the car.
Not too messy. The CTS-V is next on my list for this chore....
BTW I did not trust myself to run the tube up through the shifter without making a huge mess inside the car. I just ran a 3.5 or so foot extension on the transfer pump, poured 4quarts into a clean gallon container, and pumped 3 quarts or so in from the gallon container while I comfortably sat next to the car. Once about 3 quarts were in, I got under the car and did the last 0.2 or so from under the car.
Not too messy. The CTS-V is next on my list for this chore....
06-19-2012, 11:17 AM
#122
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 304
I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. I did my tranny fluid change over the weekend and decided to use the Mobil 1 ATF based on much of the inputs. I just moved to the high desert here in SoCal and the annual temps range from freezing in winter to the 100's in summer so the M1 ATF seems like a good year round fluid. Thanks especially to moosestang for the writeup which took all the mystery and trepidation out of the task.
12-28-2012, 05:04 PM
#123
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6
Lot's of information here, albeit confusing for some folks. I have gathered a lot. I don't see any complaints on this forum or on the web of RP Syncromax harming tranmissions, but apparently Tremec has a preference for Moblil. Maybe the tech guys are told that is all they can recommend.
Personally, I am going with the Red Line D4 ATF ("Our most versatile ATF, use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection").
I'll maybe come back and comment on the improvement. I will say that if you are pulling hard, 3rd gear misses are likely because of the tranny and shifter design since they don't mate up directly but the shifter is hanging back and connected to the tranny by a rod (in laymen's terms). The tranny moves around with the motor between shifts, which can play tricks on the mind and make it difficult to thread the needle for 3rd. I am planning to go to some stiffer motor mounts next hoping that also improves the shifting to 3rd.
Personally, I am going with the Red Line D4 ATF ("Our most versatile ATF, use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection").
I'll maybe come back and comment on the improvement. I will say that if you are pulling hard, 3rd gear misses are likely because of the tranny and shifter design since they don't mate up directly but the shifter is hanging back and connected to the tranny by a rod (in laymen's terms). The tranny moves around with the motor between shifts, which can play tricks on the mind and make it difficult to thread the needle for 3rd. I am planning to go to some stiffer motor mounts next hoping that also improves the shifting to 3rd.
12-28-2012, 05:55 PM
#125
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 11,278
Lot's of information here, albeit confusing for some folks. I have gathered a lot. I don't see any complaints on this forum or on the web of RP Syncromax harming tranmissions, but apparently Tremec has a preference for Moblil. Maybe the tech guys are told that is all they can recommend.
Personally, I am going with the Red Line D4 ATF ("Our most versatile ATF, use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection").
I'll maybe come back and comment on the improvement. I will say that if you are pulling hard, 3rd gear misses are likely because of the tranny and shifter design since they don't mate up directly but the shifter is hanging back and connected to the tranny by a rod (in laymen's terms). The tranny moves around with the motor between shifts, which can play tricks on the mind and make it difficult to thread the needle for 3rd. I am planning to go to some stiffer motor mounts next hoping that also improves the shifting to 3rd.
Personally, I am going with the Red Line D4 ATF ("Our most versatile ATF, use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection").
I'll maybe come back and comment on the improvement. I will say that if you are pulling hard, 3rd gear misses are likely because of the tranny and shifter design since they don't mate up directly but the shifter is hanging back and connected to the tranny by a rod (in laymen's terms). The tranny moves around with the motor between shifts, which can play tricks on the mind and make it difficult to thread the needle for 3rd. I am planning to go to some stiffer motor mounts next hoping that also improves the shifting to 3rd.
03-25-2013, 12:27 PM
#127
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Earth
Posts: 102
I drained the oil and replaced it with Mobil 1 ATF and OMG what a difference!! Cold operation is nice and smooth. I have rediscovered my transmission!!
Long story short, use Mobil 1 ATF. It works!!
03-26-2013, 07:59 PM
#128
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 131
If you have compressed air:
Cut hole in cap big enough so that your fill hose fits TIGHTLY. Push the fill house in so that it's submerged and almost to the bottom of the bottle.
Poke a second, small hole into the top of the bottle somewhere above the fluid level. Use your compressed air gun in that second hole to create a slight pressure. The fluid comes out FAST, so be ready!
I've done this on rear ends and transmissions, no problem. It's nice that you can do it from under the car (the fluid will travel upwards due to the pressure) and you don't risk spilling anything inside your car.
Cut hole in cap big enough so that your fill hose fits TIGHTLY. Push the fill house in so that it's submerged and almost to the bottom of the bottle.
Poke a second, small hole into the top of the bottle somewhere above the fluid level. Use your compressed air gun in that second hole to create a slight pressure. The fluid comes out FAST, so be ready!
I've done this on rear ends and transmissions, no problem. It's nice that you can do it from under the car (the fluid will travel upwards due to the pressure) and you don't risk spilling anything inside your car.
05-07-2013, 11:36 AM
#129
Hmmm, I drained mine completely the other day and put in RP Max ATF. It took about 3.5 quarts, maybe a little more, before it started running out of the fill hole. I did it with a pump that is sold as a fuel siphoning pump. Worked very well.
05-07-2013, 06:12 PM
#130
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 463
So after reading all 12+ pages i'm leaning towards the Mobil 1 synthetic atf.
Seems like the RP is more towards warmer climates since it shifts better when at higher temperature. Mobil 1 is said to shift good at all temps. And i live in Nevada where we have -10 F winters to 110F summer and my mustang being my daily driver i think the Mobil 1 suits my needs a little better. If this was my summer car i'd probably go with the RP.
I also changed my PS fluid with Mobil 1 atf and i feel it's a good fluid for that too.
Seems like the RP is more towards warmer climates since it shifts better when at higher temperature. Mobil 1 is said to shift good at all temps. And i live in Nevada where we have -10 F winters to 110F summer and my mustang being my daily driver i think the Mobil 1 suits my needs a little better. If this was my summer car i'd probably go with the RP.
I also changed my PS fluid with Mobil 1 atf and i feel it's a good fluid for that too.