Beginning of 2nd winter on Redline MTL thoughts...

[badtlc]

Last year during the winter, I dumped the OEM 75W-80 MTF for Redline MTL. I noticed nothing of importance following the switch. First shift into 2nd when temps were below 35-40F were still notchy.

This year, the first shift into 2nd, even with temps in the teens, has been almost as butter smooth as when it is warmed up. I know this fluid is very sheer stable but I wonder if shearing or something else has improved the shifting for this fluid. Maybe the RTL had to strip some coating from the previous fluid before laying its own protective layer down now that it has had plenty of time to break-in?

I'm not sure, but so far two big thumbs up! I still want to try Pentosin MTF2 or Fuchs 75W next time around, but MTL is so much cheaper than those two. I guess time will tell.

 

[Bror Jace]

Not sure why, but I had a similar experience with Amsoil MTF. Not great at first, but after about 3-4,000 miles, my Civic seemed to shift like butter, even well below freezing.

 

[dailydriver]

They might be shearing just that little bit, but enough to be in that 'perfect' range for your synchros/blocker rings, or maybe the add pack has depleted just that same little bit to allow your synchros/blocker rings to engage smoother.

Mola Cule, anyone else??

 

[nleksan]

Next time, try a blend of the RL gear oils. It really does work, and it's actually the "official" method of reducing the chatter from a lightweight flywheel while improving shifter feel by many companies that produce flywheels for BMW.

 

[badtlc]

Why would I mix when mtl seems great?

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
Why would I mix when mtl seems great?



It's great now but i thought you said it felt notchy in the first winter after the new fluid? You might be able to blend a fluid that will be smooth the first and subsequent years.

 

[badtlc]

MTL is the thinnest MTF they make. Mixing would only complicate things but I don't even know that viscosity was an issue.

Like i said, this fluid is very shear stable so the viscosity should not have changed much. This is why I'm a bit perplexed at why it is shifting different now.

 

[nleksan]

Mixing is actually recommended by a number of high end tuners specific to BMW, but while it is mostly in regards to reducing the chatter from a lightweight flywheel, it's also indicated for more consistent year round use.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: nleksan
Mixing is actually recommended by a number of high end tuners specific to BMW, but while it is mostly in regards to reducing the chatter from a lightweight flywheel, it's also indicated for more consistent year round use.


The only high end BMW guys I have seen use straight Redline MTL for the real drivers/high end customers and for the lemmings they use Redline D4 to avoid cold shifting complaints. D4 isn't an MTF and not an option.