I have a 2003 maxima 6 m/t and my mechanic will be flushing the old tranny fluid tomorrow morning and will be using amsoil synthetic manual tranny fluid. I want to make sure he uses the right one. I checked amsoil.com and quite a few different kinds came up. Please tell me the correct one I need. is it
the synthetic syncromesh f1? He also said he will use 5 quarts but to the best of my knowledge, he should only be using 2.5 - 3.

also, whats the difference between gear oil and transmission fluid? Should I get that while I'm at it? thanks in advance.

 

A manual transmission requires gear oil, an auto tranny takes transmission fluid (ATF). Our manual trannies require GL-4 spec gear oil, which is fairly difficult to locate. Amsoil MTG is the correct gear oil that meets this spec. The Redline equivalent is MT-90.

If you buy 3 quarts, you will have enough for a 5.5 gen.

 

Im just confused b/c this says MTF -manual transmission fluid:

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/Se...CategoryID=297

and then there is this:

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/Se...CategoryID=298

its the 2nd link right?

 

You need amsoil GL-4 75w90 gear oil. It is one of the best gear oils on the market. IMO it exceeds redline, idk i used about 4 or so quarts in my 5spd.

 

I've used both the Amsoil and Redline MT-90 (currently). I could tell no difference between the two, but both are an improvement over other gear oils.

 

update: just got the fluid changed today..shifting is slightly better..actually no Im lying, its hardly noticeable. Maybe I'll notice the difference when it gets colder? I used Amsoil gl-4 btw.

 

In all honesty, I have switched from Nissan OEM to Redline MT-90, then recently to Amsoil MTG and have not ever noticed any difference in my shifts. However, I rest easier knowing I have the best protection in Amsoil in my manual tranny.

The one thing I did notice was that the MT-90 was less stiff than Nissan OEM in the cold winters I experience at my location. I have not put the MTG through one of my winters yet (coming soon!).

 

good to know ^....keep an update on how your amsoil holds up in winter

 

The difference between MTF and MTG is mainly that MTG is made for transmissions that see significant shock loading, high gear tooth loads, and so on. That makes it more like gear lube in terms of formulation, which is why people sometimes call it that to distinguish it from other transmission fluids. MTF is for applications like Honda transmissions, which don't require that kind of robust formulation and are instead optimized for other things. Your transmission does require MTG, and if you had used MTF you would be risking a lot of premature wear and tear.

 

ohh...thats great to knoe..thanks for pointing out the difference

 

Just changed to the MTG from the stock fluid. Big difference in shift smoothness.

 

Well, I put my Amsoil MTG to a pretty decent cold weather test yesterday morning and I would have to say it passed with flying colors.

It was -33C (-27F) when I went out Sunday morning and all I could feel was that the shifts were slightly stiffer-than-normal. Barely noticeable. Pretty impressive considering the temperature.

I wish I could say the same for my clutch.........I could hardly even push it down!