« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5   Go Down

Author Topic: Synthetic tranny fluid  (Read 12488 times)

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« on: May 29, 2005, 06:39:08 am »
I am sure many of you use synthetic oil for your engine but I am wondering if you do similarly for your transmission? What is the latest on the advantages and disadvantages of this fluid?
Logged

Offline nissparts

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 117
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2005, 11:34:59 am »
Similar to syn eng oil it has superior lube qualities and you will notice this esp in cold winter months and hot summer days when the fluid is push to the limit.
Logged
prev: 2002 Frontier C/C 4x4,86 CRX,94 4Runner,
87 Toy P/U, 89 Mazda P/U,88 Micra,91 Prelude Si,
76 Volvo 240,66 Mustang, 67 Chev P/U, 64 Acadian Canso,88 Toy 4x4,86 Celica,80 Chev P/U,75 Monte Carlo,98 Toy Sienna,92 Toy Corolla SR5.

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15054
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2005, 01:13:17 pm »
If you are taking about an manual gearbox then think about using Redline MTL tranny fluid.

If you are taking about an automatic then yes synthetic fluid is superior in many respects.  But you better check into your particular tranny before using a synthetic fluid as some are not suited to them and you may have too much slippage and you might create a whole set of problems.
Logged
“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,”     Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2005, 01:31:07 pm »
But you better check into your particular tranny before using a synthetic fluid as some are not suited to them

So would such specifics be in the car's manual?
Logged

Offline tpl

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: Guelph On.
  • Posts: 14420
  • Carma: +32/-31
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2005, 04:33:04 pm »
My BMW has some magic synthetic stuff in the manual transmission. Supposedly it can be replaced with the Red Line product
Logged
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2005, 04:37:22 pm »
I am useing the syn oil in my TH400 tranny in my truck. I chose the castrol brand for quality, cost and long life on the clutch packs and other parts in this box. It works very good.
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15054
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2005, 08:39:56 am »
So would such specifics be in the car's manual?

Depends.  What car is this (age/mileage) and is this an automatic?
Logged

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2005, 08:48:30 am »
So would such specifics be in the car's manual?  

"Depends. What car is this (age/mileage) and is this an automatic?"

05 Pontiac Vibe (Toyota 'guts') 5 speed manual; 1000 km :-). I am just thinking ahead to the winter. My wife oftened complained re our other manual cars how 'notchy' shifting is in winter..before the engine warms up. Would a synthetic fluid help in this regard?
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15054
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2005, 10:46:29 am »
Absolutely and considering the small capacity of the gear box cost is not a biggie.  I would suggest Redline MTL.  I'm putting in a clutch on my 95 Bimmer on Wednesday and I'm installing Redline since the tranny will be out so I'll post back and let you know the specs as I won't be picking the stuff up till Wednesday.
Logged

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2005, 12:08:08 pm »
I *think* my manual Vibe would require the MT90 from Redline. When replacing tranny fluid in a manual is it simply drain and fill...ie no flush?
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15054
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2005, 12:59:58 pm »
I went to Redline's site and it would be MT90 for your Vibe.

When replacing tranny fluid in a manual is it simply drain and fill...ie no flush?

Yes, no flush.  However, the key is to get the fluid hot by driving on a nice hot day, jack the car up from the side on the same side as the fill plug and let the original fluid drain out for a few hours.

The tricky part is filling.  Usually a filler thing is best.  Basically a cylinder with a hose at one end and a plunger handle at the other end.  It holds about a litre.  Costs about 20 bucks.

You also might find that the plug is an Allen key type fitting.  You will need a good aftermarket jack and one jack stand.  All very good investments and prices can be very good on sale.  Princess Auto stores and place like that are good.  Crappy Tire on sale is good.

When you refill get an idea of the capacity first.  But essentially fill to the point you think it is coming out and then stop.  Lower car to level and let surplus drain out and then raise car to install fill plug as the drain plug is already back in.  Of course for those lucky people with hydraulic lifts things are a lot simpler.

A side comment; you know that you can never get this sort of thing done properly at a shop.  Either they don't drain long enough which is understandable, but their fillers are always contaminated.  Horrible
Logged

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2005, 05:55:04 pm »
Appreciate the detailed reply Articsteve.

A side comment; you know that you can never get this sort of thing done properly at a shop. Either they don't drain long enough which is understandable, but their fillers are always contaminated. Horrible

I didnt want to hear this :-(. I ask questions not because I am likely to...do a change of the transmission fluid..for example, but so I can be a more knowledgeable consumer. For example Articsteve convinced me to go with Krown for rust protection. He even recommended to me a specific franchise. I did it. Because of postings I think I know a bit more how a new engine breaks in/matures and so when to make the switch from conventional oil to synthetic.

And with this thread I will purchase MT90 syn transmission fluid for my 5 speed but I intend to bring it to a mechanic..not the dealer. I know this is a big country but I'd love a thread in which people could recommend independent shops.
Logged

Offline tpl

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: Guelph On.
  • Posts: 14420
  • Carma: +32/-31
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2005, 09:12:07 pm »
ALWAYS REMOVE THE FILL PLUG BEFORE THE DRAIN PLUG on transmssions and diffs.   It is a considerable pain if you drain the old fluid and then cant get the filler plug loose to refill.
Logged

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2005, 09:33:12 pm »
I have always held the belief that you should only do business with the Garages that own the property. They have to do proper work as they can't just run off over night to a new location. They are usually the best shops around as well.
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15054
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2005, 11:33:38 pm »
ALWAYS REMOVE THE FILL PLUG BEFORE THE DRAIN PLUG on transmssions and diffs. It is a considerable pain if you drain the old fluid and then cant get the filler plug loose to refill.

Being there.
Logged

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2005, 06:56:29 pm »
I'm putting in a clutch on my 95 Bimmer on Wednesday and I'm installing Redline since the tranny will be out so I'll post back and let you know the specs as I won't be picking the stuff up till Wednesday.

So how did the job go Articsteve?
Logged

Offline articsteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: ON
  • Posts: 15054
  • Carma: +31/-163
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobbie Car: 1990 944S2
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2005, 11:30:29 pm »
Absolute b*ll breaker. Started at 5:00 p.m. and finished at 2:30 a.m. Seconded the son at 6:30 p.m. and at 12:30 a.m. he revolted. Then pressed wife into service for the exhaust re-install which was the topper to an evening of hell and all that said without one seized fastener.  

I would strongly suggest that when folks redo their clutch they rebuild their vehicles shifter because the both wear in unison. Fortunately my supplier insisted that I take a shifter rebuild kit on credit so that was a real positive.  

I took the car out for a spin around 2:30 a.m. and I just knew my wife would not be able to find the shift pattern so I was up again at 8:00 a.m. to drive her to work.
Logged

Offline junni

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 4
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
    • www.engineoilscam.com
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #17 on: June 13, 2005, 10:28:08 pm »
i have a 2004 vibe manual tranny.after 5000 km i installed amsoil synthetic engine oil and amsoil gear oil for tranny.you should check out AMSOIL.you'll be surprised!
Logged

Offline barrie1

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: London Ont Canada
  • Posts: 14832
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #18 on: June 14, 2005, 10:38:42 am »
Amsoil is a very good product like many others on the market to-day. To me its the higher cost that scares a lot of people away from it. I hang out at a lot of race shops and they sell many different brands but they seem to quietly tell us that the Castrol brand is the best at the moment for either a standard tranny or a automatic one. I built a new TH400 last year and have the Castrol Syn in it and it is working very well.
Logged

Offline 21Rouge

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Location: Vinegar Hill Ontario
  • Posts: 496
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Synthetic tranny fluid
« Reply #19 on: June 14, 2005, 11:04:51 am »
I hang out at a lot of race shops and they sell many different brands but they seem to quietly tell us that the Castrol brand is the best at the moment for either a standard tranny or a automatic one.

I read the owners manual and it states that GM 12346190 is the recommended synthetic manual transmission fluid for the Vibe (toyota engine and transmission). Barrie1, with a bit of searching it appears that this GM # is actually Castrol Syntorq LT!

Around 5k km I plan to replace the factory MT fluid with a synthetic. Price isnt really a problem because the capacity isnt very big for my '05 Vibe....unlike my Montana van :-(.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5   Go Up
« previous next »