Finally had the opportunity this weekend to change the gear oil over to Mobil One 75-90 synthetic. To anyone attempting this, the refill is slightly over four and a half quarts, and you won’t believe this; the fill spout provided on the bottle is actually usable! There is plenty of room to position the bottles between the trans fill and the radiator; witch’s a first. I’ll have to find another use for the tubing I bought in preparation for this, also the transmission drain does not exist, you must remove the transmission gear selection sensor, careful it looks expensive. Well I’m not impressed so far, the shift feel has not improved, in fact I think it’s more notchy, well the car only has twelve hundred miles on it maybe it’ll improve.

 

Question: (really only applicable in norther climates, seatle / N.Y and north)

Have you noticed a change in stifness of the stick on cold mornings? Up here, in Montreal Canada, we get 25 to -40 F (-5 to -40 C) and I definately feel the thick tranny oil. Have noticed a change in startup feel?

 

I live on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and it does get brisk here as well, to answer your question; yes it does shift easier but you feel more metal when it engages. Does this make any sense? Maybe less between the gear and me, thinner oil film (what works for condoms might not be best for the trans). If you’re experiencing a dragging lever by all means change it, the synthetic contains little if any paraffin and won't thicken like conventional gear oils. What I’m saying is the actual engagement of the gears is kind of like going from grandpa’s Chevy Impala power steering to rack and pinion.

 

I can understand what you mean, but if I can feel it thinner off the start I think I am going to switch. I will probably go to Redline MT.

Thanks for the info.

 

I did the same change, with Amsoil, but waited till 5500 mi for more break in. The difference was most noticeable when cold but shifting improved in general. I agree, you feel the gears more and the oil less. Interestingly, break in has continued to 15k, shifting just keeps getting better - suggests I should have waited longer to change, except I would definitely have done it before winter.

Dave

 

Guys I have 26K miles on my car and I tell U every 2 oil changes I change the tranny fluid with Redline MT-90. U can tell when the tranny oil is getting old b/c the gears get harder to change. Also when U change the tranny oil, U gotta drive a few days for the oil to set in. Mine usually takes 2 or 3 days and then the tranny feels a lot better.

 

There is a drain. At the lowest part of the tranny facing the inside of the engine compartment there is a bolt that you take out to drain the tranny. At least that's how we drained it!!

 

If U are serious and correct then U should try some other gear oil.