Synthetic ATF in a manual tranny

[srvblues00]

I am going to change the tranny fluid in my 94 sport 5spd next week sometime. I am wanting to put in synthetic stuff, but I haven't seen it anywhere. Where can I find it? What exactly do I need? I read on here somehwere that someone got the wrong grade or something and it made his tranny kinda stiff to shift. He changed it to something else and it was fine... Also, how much fluid do I need? Thx

 

[james t]

synthetic ATF in a manual tranny...

DONT DO IT!!! i hope that was a typo, ATF is AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID! i assume (hope) you are refering to synthetic tranny oil? its been a long time since i messed with a manual tranny (only on old cars); do they put ATF in 'em now?

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by james t

DONT DO IT!!! i hope that was a typo, ATF is AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID! i assume (hope) you are refering to synthetic tranny oil? its been a long time since i messed with a manual tranny (only on old cars); do they put ATF in 'em now?

Yep, the manual trannies in the X use Mercon ATF.

You should be able to find synthetic Mercon at any major auto parts store. If not, Summit racing carries it. Click Here for Summit's stuff

 

[james t]

ill be d@mned! i feel like a moron. oh well...

 

[Triton46]

I read on here somehwere that someone got the wrong grade or something and it made his tranny kinda stiff to shift. He changed it to something else and it was fine...

That was me. I had my third gear synchro replaced back in 93/94 and the shop replaced my ATF fluid with a very thick gear oil. The car would not shift into gear easily until it had warmed up. We took it back, they switched it and all was well.

There were two different manual transmissions on the 91 - 94. Depending on which one you have will determine what type of fluid you can use.

1) Mazda = ATF Fluid (Mercon V)
2) Mitsubishi = Gear Oil (not sure of the rating).

The Mitsu seems to be very rare, but check to make sure.

 

[Rick]

I've been using Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in my manual tranny and it's been great.

 

[srvblues00]

Thanks for all the replies, that helped a lot. Hopefully I'll be able to find some synthetic ATF.

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by srvblues00
I am wanting to put in synthetic stuff, but I haven't seen it anywhere. Where can I find it?

Pep Boys carries Mobil 1 ATF. If you don't have one of those, try Auto Zone, DAPS, etc.

 

[DeagleDave]

don't waste your money on mobil one. Check around for a shop that carries Amsoil ATF. It's expensive but several mechanics i know swear by it.

 

[JDraper]

You will find that everyone has their opinion on which fluid is better. Bottom line is that if you do regular fluid changes, all dino's will work equally well (compared to other dino's), and all synths will work equally well (compared to other synths). There will be more variance between the different dino fluids than there is between the different synthetic fluids. To say that Mobil 1 is a waste of money is not accurate. It's an opinion. In my opinion , if you want to go synthetic, shop around and find the best deal. I happen to be running one brand of synthetic oil, and another brand of synthetic differential fluid, and I will likely be running a third brand of synthetic tranny fluid when I do the first service on it.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by Triton46
There were two different manual transmissions on the 91 - 94. Depending on which one you have will determine what type of fluid you can use.

1) Mazda = ATF Fluid (Mercon V)
2) Mitsubishi = Gear Oil (not sure of the rating).

How do i know which one i have? i'm getting a centerforce clutch put in tomorrow, so i need to know how ot tell the difference. thanks

--lee

 

[unclemeat]

My 4-wheel drive shop recommended against swaping from dino to synthetic oil in the transmission and differential. Their explanation was that the dino oil coats the gears and synthetic oil does not penetrate the coating very well. Of coarse I switched to synthetic in my Ranger 20k miles ago. I have had no problems, and a little easer shifting.

 

[explodr3]

its all good

straight from for the 92-94 5speed tranny for explorers called for atomatic fluid but i am not sure about synthetic