Early Fluid Change

[SwampDweller]

Got to 2000 mi. on my 2010 Ranger and changed out the M5 fluid and rear gear oil. My fishing season is about to start, it's 105 mi. one way to the launch with my rig.

From experience I have seen these fluids just after break in and this truck was no different. The transmission(M50D) fluid looked good draining out(clear red), but in the pan it looked like metallic red paint. Nothing wrong, this is normal.I refilled with Mobil 1 ATF.

Pulled the cover on the diff.(7.5 open),and it looked good draining out, but in the pan it had that metallic coloring. I refilled with Mobil 1 75W90.

After about 200 miles, I can't feel any difference shifting(good or bad), wasn't expecting to. Just wanted to let folks know what the factory fill looks like with a couple thousand miles. I know a lot of people don't care and that's OK if you don't keep the vehicle past warranty. These units should be good to go now, transmission for maybe 30,000, and diff. for 50,000.

 

[jorton]

Does the diff get submerged at the boat ramp? Maybe the oil should be changed after every fishing season.

Synthetic transmission oil should help with mpg's.

 

[Jim Allen]

SwampDweller (GREAT handle!)- Getting the break-in and manufacturing contamination out is a good thing! Might have been a little early on the axle (IMO) but certainly in the ballpark.

 

[beast3300]

If I could afford a brand new vehicle I would have done the exact same thing.

 

[mechtech2]

Transmissions can take 20,000 miles before they are broken in.
But I think you did a good thing here - the initial running in makes the most wear particles.

 

[unDummy]

If you notice any degradation in shift quality, don't be afraid to change it out early like in 15k-25k miles.
Southern location might not be agreeable with an MTF/MTL for the manual for a little better protection.

Check the vent on the rearend and extend it if possible.

 

[unDummy]

Sorry, meant warmer 'southern location might BE agreeable' with the thicker manual trans fluids, which IMO, protect better.

 

[SwampDweller]

Agreed, I come from old school with 75W90 in a gearbox. Warranty dictates the ATF in this case, but replacing it regularly (24-30 thousand miles) should make it last a long time. The rig I tow is a 15 ft. alum. flat with a 50 Yamaha, but its loaded. I figure about 1200 lb., but its the distance traveled that's the reason for better maintenance.

 

[mechtech2]

I can't resist agreeing with undummy's recommendation of a slightly thicker and all around better modern light gear oil. The synchromesh types by Redline[MTL] and Amsoil [MTF] are very good.

 

[SwampDweller]

Mechtech you might be right, down here along the gulf coast cold shifting problems are not an issue. Almost wish I could monitor the trans. temp between ATF and MTF.

 

[mjoekingz28]

FWIW SwampDweller, In my Saturn I tried both Redline's MTL and D4 and didn't notice any difference in shift quality. It really wasn't much difference between what was in there from the PO. But, in my past two cars it made a great increase in the quality of shifts. But for some reason this car calls for MTF to be changed at 6k and never again. All other vehicles have called for it every 30k.

The only thing I've learned from Saturn's recommendation is that the trans is probably done with break-in by 6000 miles, so maybe you jumped the gun, but its not like you'll leave it in forever like one mfr suggests.