Im changing my manual trasnmittion fluid and i just wanted to know what barnd you recommend. I heard that redline synthetic fluid causes leaks cause, is this true? Or should i just go back to stock...

 

barnd = brand

 

redline mt-90

 

i just bought redline mt-90. i also heard you should make sure it's gl4 and not gl5. i can't remember why, i just remember reading here

hopefully it'll end the terrible notchiness

 

Amsoil or Redline would be my choice. One is not any more prone to leak than the other and shifting is greatly improved over conventional fluids. As long at the lubricant can meet GL-4 and MT-1 specs is okay. GL5 only lubricants should be avoided at all costs because they can chew through soft metals.

 

hmmm....so its not true that synthrtic leaks??? I mean it makes sence that if the fluid is thiner, that would make it easier to get through all the seals and suck...something i will have to look into.

 

Synthetic fluid is NOT thinner. A 75w-90 synthetic and a 75w-90 dinosaur oil are the exact same viscosity... Synthetics do NOT leak or damage seals in any way. There could be a slim chance in a seal that's already gone and crudded up with gunked-up regular oil that the synthetic(or any other new oil for that matter) might clear that gunk and start a slight leak. But the seal was history in any case...

Synthetic is just far superior in every other way, except cost....

My vote for Redline MT-90, a great GL-4 rated oil...

-RMB

 

I've been using Redline MT-90 and I have Amsoil's 80w90 GL-4 synthetic gear lube sitting in my garage. I'll let you know which of the two you should buy in a few days

 

Please let us know. I'm always interested in feedback in how people would compare the differences between Redline and Amsoil. It's not too often people will try both

 

I've have Redline MT-90 in my tranny. No leaks.

DW

 

bump

 

bump for the smoothest operator - waiting to hear your analysis before I do a full transmission flush and switch to Redline or Amsoil. Thanks!

 

To emphasize the importance of your analysis, I'll bump this up again. I too want to know which synthetic has better results.

 

The Amsoil gear lube is in my trans; I haven't replied yet because for a few reasons. The main reason is I want to get a feel of how the transmission shifts when its "cold". This is, of course, when the transmission shifts feel like stirring a screwdriver in a bowl of rocks the most.

So Cal is getting quite warm lately so I haven't fully experienced the trans fluid. In the morning when I leave for work its like anywhere between the low 60s to low 70s. I park my car in my gargage which is very well insulated (upper 70s). If you live in a cooler than normal climate with short drives in the morning, the current experience I have with Amsoil will probably not apply to you. I hope to provide an opinion that can encompass as much drivers as I possibly can. Again, thats why I haven't replied yet.

I am planning to stay over at a lady friend's house at the end of the work week. Her garage has a large AC unit that will freeze your *** off. It will probably be the closest thing to a "cold-start" for me. I will probably go on my usual late night run to Jack in the Box so I will have an opinion of how it runs when its cold. By then I shall have an opinion of which fluid I prefer in X condition(s) and which one I like overall.

Sorry to keep you guys waiting!

 

FWIW this is my experience: I bought my Maxima used and probably with the original transmision oil, so I tried Redline MT-90 expecting a big change and the shifting was improved but still a little notchy. Then I tried Amsoil gear lube, which I thought was a modest improvement over MT-90 and I left it in for about a year. As a last try before accepting the way my car was shifting, I decided to try Redline MTL and this made the definite improvement - now shifts are really smooth, even during winter. MT-90 is a 75W-90 oil and MTL is 70W-80, both should be within viscosity specs when warm. I do have some slight weeping of fluid, particularly around the position switch which has a large O ring notorious for leaks.