Tranny fluid change
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Marana Arizona
Tranny fluid change
I'm about to change my Manual transmission fluid out. I've noticed some people talking about replacing it with synthetic fluid. What has been the consensus, on the best type to use, other than the Micron III recommend by the Manufacturer?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
Manual trans fluid
C5 manuals are terrible-shifting cars. Without having driven one first, I recently bought a 2003 6-speed with 4500 miles. Shifting was so balky, hard and unpleasant I started thinking about dumping the car. A change to Royal Purple "Synchromax" fluid helped some, enough that I still have the car. Some people prefer GM's "Synchromesh" fluid (I think that is the name). Royal Purple is available at several parts stores, is somewhat cheaper, I believe, than the GM fluid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
C5 manuals are terrible-shifting cars. Without having driven one first, I recently bought a 2003 6-speed with 4500 miles. Shifting was so balky, hard and unpleasant I started thinking about dumping the car. A change to Royal Purple "Synchromax" fluid helped some, enough that I still have the car. Some people prefer GM's "Synchromesh" fluid (I think that is the name). Royal Purple is available at several parts stores, is somewhat cheaper, I believe, than the GM fluid.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Marana Arizona
I have no idea what an anti venom mod is? Just looked it up and found the thread. Interesting fix, will have to look into it. Although my shifter is pretty smooth stock. I'm installing a short shift B&M next week tho.
Last edited by ianj650; Jun 26, 2009 at 05:38 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
I swapped my car's fluid to Royal Purple Synchromax and hated all 3,200 miles of it. It felt like I was shifting through peanut butter, and it took excessive force to get into various gears at completely random times. I went back to Valvoline Dexron III, and it cleared the problems within less than 200 miles.
I'm convinced that these transmissions do not like the synthetic stuff even though logical thought would tell you that the expensive synthetic fluids would perform and protect better.
LO PHAT
I'm convinced that these transmissions do not like the synthetic stuff even though logical thought would tell you that the expensive synthetic fluids would perform and protect better.
LO PHAT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
You have a 2000 with paper blocker rings. DO NOT use Mobil 1 ATF. Amsoil ATD is okay.
I used Mobil 1 ATF in my 1998 for 50,000 miles, then it started grinding going into 6th gear. I knew the sycro's could not be bad (who speed shifts into 6th?).
I changed to Amsoil ATD and the grinding stopped immediately ! Still good over 20,000 miles later.
I used Mobil 1 ATF in my 1998 for 50,000 miles, then it started grinding going into 6th gear. I knew the sycro's could not be bad (who speed shifts into 6th?).
I changed to Amsoil ATD and the grinding stopped immediately ! Still good over 20,000 miles later.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jun 26, 2009 at 10:12 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
2001 and shifts GREAT!
I have a 2001 6 speed and it has always shifted great. Today I repaced the fluid after 60M miles. Coming home after the change, i could feel the difference. smoother and faster. Easy change and well worth the money!!
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
2006 Cadillac CTS-V Used Oil Analysis Dexron III vs AMSOIL ATF Transmission Fluid
Note that the Dexron III sheared low of grade in only 10k miles. A good indicator of why a high quality basestock synthetic is beneficial.
This is the fluid I recommend (as used by Oldvetter above) and the one I use in my CTS-V now:
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (product code ATD1G - tranny takes about 3.25 quarts so a gallon bottle is about perfect)
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I swapped my car's fluid to Royal Purple Synchromax and hated all 3,200 miles of it. It felt like I was shifting through peanut butter, and it took excessive force to get into various gears at completely random times. I went back to Valvoline Dexron III, and it cleared the problems within less than 200 miles.
I'm convinced that these transmissions do not like the synthetic stuff even though logical thought would tell you that the expensive synthetic fluids would perform and protect better.
LO PHAT
I'm convinced that these transmissions do not like the synthetic stuff even though logical thought would tell you that the expensive synthetic fluids would perform and protect better.
LO PHAT
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Synthetic in a 2000?
Just as OldVetter stated , you have a pre 2001 manual with cellulose blocker rings which seem to deteriorate with synthetics ( other than Amsoil , don't ask why. Ask SubDriver, he knows). The rings swell , read the archives. I have two 2000 FRCes and use GM 88862624 or AC88862625 ( don't recall which) and my 2001 Z06 uses Red Line High Temp Synthetic ATF. Synthetics do make a difference in shifting ( along with the C6Z06 shifter swap). Forget the anti-venom trick as some have over the years suspect related damage.
Don't use "Micron" ( Mercon) as that meets Ford product requirements. Dexron ( or Dextron) meets GM requirements . Some ATF are Mercon/Dexron formula the meets both mfg'ers requirements.
Don't use "Micron" ( Mercon) as that meets Ford product requirements. Dexron ( or Dextron) meets GM requirements . Some ATF are Mercon/Dexron formula the meets both mfg'ers requirements.
Last edited by dieseldave56; Oct 23, 2009 at 04:24 AM.
