maybe a dumb question....for a m6 tranny, do i just buy the redline ATF or is there one specifically for manual transmissions?

 

anyone?

 

Castrol Syntec synthetic ATF. By far the best for GM transmissions and has some friction additives to make it shift like it's got a mild shift kit. Mobil Synthetic ATF feels like factory fill ATF, which is good. And regular trans. fluid generally feels sloppy.

Problem is Castrol Syntec ATF is tough to find. Look up their website for distributors.

 

On a side note,where is the FILL PLUG on an A4?? I just installed my Transgp shift kit and i cannot find the place to put the fluid in!!! Left side ,right side, top, bottom WTH!!!
Matt

 

The D4 is good for either tranny. You will need 4 quarts of the D4 to the mn6.

I used the D4, but switched to Redline MTL for even better shift quality.

 

I swear that last week people were recommending Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and gear oil so I went out and bought them. Does anyone here have problems with using Mobil 1 in MN6 and differential? I need to know before putting these stuff in the car. Thanks.

 

I use AMSOIL ATF in my Manual six speed Z06 tranny which now has over three years total and two race seasons on it. This fluid meets GM Dexron III specifications for either the A4 or the M6.

AMSOIL just came out with a new extreme duty differential gear lube:
AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90

I had been running the Series 2000 75w90, but will switch to this new gear lube.

Manual tranny takes about 3.75 quarts. Diff takes about 1.75 quarts.
A4 tranny takes about 11 quarts for a flush and about 5 quarts if you just drain and refill according to the AMSOIL Online Product Application Guide.

AMSOIL also sells a very nice high flow hand bottle pump.
AMSOIL Hand Pump

AMSOIL Preferred Customers save over 20% on retail.
AMSOIL Ordering Information
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program

 

Tixin,
Mobil 1 ATF meets GM Dexron III standards and if you got their 75w90 gear lube you'll be fine with both. I personally think there are better products, but that doesn't mean to imply the Mobil 1 tranny and gear lubes are bad. These are all very good lubricants.

 

Be careful with synthetic trans fluid in the A4. The Red Line rep did not recommend it for the A4. It can cause excessive slippage. I've heard this from others too. Is it BS? I don't know. All I can say is I was fixing to order the Red Line Synthetic ( 10 Quarts for $92) and the sales rep told me this. No sale. Makes me wonder.

 

I would call Redline directly. They have a tech line.
The D4 is supposed to be equal to Dexron III.

 

ive always put mobil 1 synthetic oil and trans fluid in my car w/o a problem. I use the GM diff lube only because it was given to me free otherwise id use mobil 1. or redline if it was around and cheap but its neither.

dave

 

I've heard that before about Redline, but not others. Redline uses a different synthetic base stock than AMSOIL does. I know several A4 owners who use AMSOIL ATF and haven't reported any problems.

The AMSOIL ATF is also notably less than the price you mentioned above, particularly for preferred customers.

 

Amsoil ATF in my A4 & it rocks! Smart rep...I would not put redline in my A4 for sure.

 

I just changed my manual fluid to Mobil1 synthetic ATF, 4 qts, I can tell a difference in the shift feel, my trans was kicking out of second but now goes into gear better, not perfect but better.
Getting the new fluid in was a bear, napa sells a fluid pump ($9.00) worked great.
I haven't changed the diff fluid yet.
Good luck whatever you try.
Norm

 

I use the GM synchromesh fluid and have had great sucess with it, makes the shifts really smooth and eliminates the notchy feeling when shifting.

 

I have heard much discussion of the use of GM Synchromesh in the t56, and I have read the posts regarding the dangers of it. After all of that, I had a long discussion with the service manager of my local GM dealership. I have bought several cars from them in the past, and the guy is REALLY technically sharp and a straight-shooter. I am a mechanical engineer, but these guys know their GM cars, IMHO. He said that the synchromesh is instructed for them to put in vehicles with the same shifting problem (this is instructed directly by GM). He said that it basically "masks" the problem with the aluminum synchro wear in the t56. However, he said there is no real danger to the carbon-fiber components of the t56. Although it has not been tested by the manufacturer, since it has been being swapped by the GM service guys for quite some time now, it would make sense that it is getting one hell of a field test with no real feedback that says it is doing damage.

Also, if the fluid is doing a better job of lubricating, you would think it is prolonging the life of a "somewhat" faulty engineering design. He also recommended changing the fluid more often due to the premature wear on the aluminum components. Because they wear sooner, you would want to get any loose shaving out of the case quickly. As a side note, he also recommended staying away from flushes, and to use a suction pump to get as much old fluid out during changes. Most may have known that, but I had to throw that out. BTW, I registered for this board just to learn more about the transmission fluid in my 98 C5. I'm glad you guys were here, and I'll try to pass on any information I can. Feel free to PM me down the road for the results of my "field test." I'm getting the fluid swapped out today.

 

BTW, I forgot to ask one thing. If anyone knows of any negative effects of using any transmission fluid in the past, please post here. I know we read of a few that work well, but please post some information regarding what you have seen with fluids that haven't worked. This would be very helpful information, and it would help to add some validity to the theories that have been thrown out.

 

Newgene,
I am pretty sure I have read information before about the dangers of using non-dexron III compliant fluids in older (pre-2000?) transmissions...something to do with seal degredation. You'd have to do a search for the details, or maybe someone that knows will chime in.

 

A few questions,
for M6, Do I use ATF?
where is the drain plug and fill plug for the tranny?
where is the drain plug and fill plug for the diff?

Thanks.

 

Rob,
GM specification for the C5/Z06 manual six speed is a fluid meeting GM specification DEXRON III, which is an ATF fluid. AMSOIL ATF meets this standard as does Redline D4 ATF. Not sure about others. I use AMSOIL ATF in my tranny on the track.

Tranny takes just under 4 quarts
- Fill plug about half way forward on driver's side about 2/3 the way to the top
- Drain plug in the lower rear passenger side

Diff takes just under 2 quarts
- Fill plug on the back, upper right
- Drain plug bottom dead center

A hand pump comes in very handy for both (I use a separate one for each fluid then put them in a labeled ziplock bag).