This morning , as every morning , shifts in my 2k2 6SPD transmission are really slow , hard and stiff .... It was for sure much worse during the winter days , but stil bad during the first 10-15 min of driving in these mornings (when temp is in the 40s range) ... I know many will say it only takes 2 to 3 shifts in cold start after which they would be normal ... But it is definitly not the case,especially the 2nd and 4th gears.....So I have to take it easy on the transmission during these cold times !!! and it is really embarrassing to accelerate in an ultra-granny fashion , praying not to stop on a stop sign or a red light ...

I already know the drill ... Use synthetic gear oil , which I already have , Amsoil GL4 75w90 (for the last 5k miles).....I doubt redline MT85 would make a world of difference .... Although I might try it someday.

My qustions for you :
1.Do you suffer from the same issue ? what would you do to overcome ?
2.How much time approximately your 6SPD takes to shift smoothly ?
3.Is shifting when tranny is cold , harmful to it ?

Please share your thoughts here..
thanks

 

I have nothing to add but I have no clue about these symptoms.
It has to be synchro related b/c it can be 0 degrees and both 6 speeds that I've had shifted just fine.

 

1. Yes. Nothing.
2. Within a block of my home.
3. Not that I am aware

Using Valvoline GL-4 Hypo Gear Oil...

 

With the original fluid, it would be hard to shift in the winter, like the fluid was maple syrup. I switched to MT-85 a little over a month ago and noticed a big improvement.

85 weight is slightly lighter than 90, but you may have other problems as well.

I wouldn't say shifting while cold is harmful, but I wouldn't be slamming gears. Then again, your engine is also cold so I wouldn't be putting stress on the car.

 

You have seen NO improvement using Amsoil? It was night and day difference for me.
How many miles are on your max?

 

I didn't say I saw no improvement,indeed I couldn't .. I changed the gear oil 4 days after I bought the car..It has 118k miles.

 

When it gets below freezing up here in the great white north, double clutching works great until the 6spd warms up. As well as motul 75 85 gear oil - 85 is truly necessary!

 

Buy her a bottle of wine and whisper sweet nothings to her...

 

motul

 

Is it better than redline 85MT ? what does Rochester use ?

 

i have only experienced this a couple of times up here in the winter but i have had MT90 within a month of buying the car.

seems great for me now

 

I have MT90 in mine.
Shifts just as bad as it did with Nissan lube in it.
Shifts just as bad in cold weather as hot weather.
We just don't have smooth, *snick snick* shifters in out cars. I've driven worse, but I have also driven way better.

I find the the best shifts I get are ones where I really pay close attention to the RPM's at the shift point. There seems to be a sweet spot for each gear usually around 2300-2600 rpms. LOL, that leaves a lot of you guys out, eh?

 

Mine shifts great with the stock 118k fluid in it, a bit clunky when it's really cold but nothing I've not experienced before in other manual transmission vehicles.

 

I'd try using a block/pan heater.

 

Redline MT-85, for about a month now. The product is new, but a number of people here are using it now and have posted some great reviews.

As for "what does Rochester use..." There are some actual gearheads here (Hi, Ray) who's opinions carry far more weight than mine.

 

With respect to all the gearheads here , but I like your opinion.......

 

Alright then. Thanks, OP.

My tranny shifted different, but neither better nor worse than OEM after installing MT-90. However, the changes were welcome and noticeable after swapping in MT-85. That's all I know.

There was a really good thread about this around a month ago.

 

What he (Rochester) said. This Saturday I put MT-85 in and the difference bw it and MT-90 are quite noticeable for me. Smoother, more crisp shifts and less "crunch", but it's still there.

I live in FL...so we don't see any snow and it doesn't get cold.