What's te best manual tranny oil and front/rear diff fluid money can buy?...I run 5w50 Syntec in the engine, and I don't want to cheap out on the other fluids. Also, recommendations on the best coolant?..time for a flush...

 

I have used both Amsoil and Redline in the drivetrain. Both work fine. I flushed the cooling system with Prestone. Any good brand of Oil or Anti-freeze will work fine. Just make sure you get the recommended spek.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I switched my MTX fluid out with Mobil-1 ATF, and a couple ounces of Friction Modifier to let the synchros bite better (they still need friction to grip in the cones, after all.)

BTW, Castrol Syntec is a joke when it comes to being a true synthetic. Their base stock is actually a mineral oil base that they modify to achieve the "synthetic" label. This cuts their cost in half of other full synthetic lines that use ofelin base stocks. Mobil-1's "Tri synthetic" is actaully a combination of 2 different Olefin stocks with some ester oil as a carrier for the additive package.

I am familer with all of the products that Mobil-1 uses as a base stock. They are also used in the Oil and Gas business for drilling wells. It is VERY slick. I have busted my butt many a time slipping on a pool of that stuff laying on the floor.

Amsoil is also a very good product. I think that they use a silicone base stock.

 

i used redline d4 atf in my manual tranny... it improved the shifting a bit and seems to work well. the rear end already has synthetic in it, so i dont really see a need to change that until the manual recommends it.

 

How do I change the oil in my manual transmission? I want to do 3 ounces of friction modifier and Mobil synthetic ATF

 

I switched out my tranny fluid to Redline D4 about 2 months ago. It does shift better, but at 8.99/ quart (you need 3.75 quarts) its not cheap and Mobil 1 might be just as good for 4.99/qt. I might try Mobil 1 next time to compare.

Talleywacker, just crawl under your truck and on the drivers side of the tranny are two plugs. Top one is fill and the bottom is drain. Just drain it and when you go to fill it up do yourself a favor and use a oil/fluid pump. It makes filling it back up MUCH easier!

 

Great! Now, how much Mobil 1 ATF will it take?

 

Buy 4 quarts of Mobil 1 and the Haynes manual says it takes 3.75 to fill up the tranny.

 

Dave G,
I'm not sure I understand the friction modifier part. I'm all about the synthetic fluid, but doesn't the FM increase the friction on the entire system, therefor negating the value of the synthetic oil?

I still haven't gotten around to changing the trans fluid yet, so if there's another trick to making this thing shift better, I'm all for it!

Is the FM trick for all manual trans, or just the POS M5OD? I've got 3 other vehicles with manual transmissions in them. Funny thing is, the 2001 F-150 shifts the worst of them all...

jrm1493,
As far as the rear diff fluid goes, on my 01, the manual says it's lubed for life unless it gets contaminated by water, etc.

Thanks,

Mitch