Manual trans lube

[Sonataman]

Manufacturer lists 75w85 Cold ambient temps make shifting difficult. (Fine after warmed up) Warm temps is fine. Tried RP MaxGear 75w90 and the shifting is impossible until warmed up in cold weather. Warm temps is ok. Now, what I get with the factory stuff is it will go into 1st fine from a stop, and shifting to second or third is very difficult. Doesn't want to, but it has done this from day one. Is this a viscosity problem?

 

[dparm]

RP's MaxGear is on the heavier end of the spectrum for a 75w90, if I remember correctly. What's wrong with the factory stuff? Redline makes a 75w85, by the way.

 

[d00df00d]

to BITOG! What kind of car is this? Are you sure nothing's wrong with the transmission?

 

[Drew99GT]

If this is an older vehicle, it could be a sign of a maladjusted clutch or a hydraulic clutch that isn't disengaging as fast as a new one. Is the pedal soft at all, or is there any slack in the pedal?

 

[Sonataman]

It is a 2011 Hyundai Sonata that I bought on 11-1-10 (first ever new car). It has done this since day one, and I drove two other's to see if it was just mine, but they all do it, or at least the three that I have driven. Been reading a bunch the last few days but I am at a loss of what to put in it. Have been looking at putting an oil pan heater on the trans... RL70w80 looks like a candidate if a slightly lower viscosity will help. Thanks.

 

[FowVay]

I put the factory 75W-85 Manual Transmission Fluid in my Nissan and it made a world of difference. I had used heavier oil and it was horrible. With the cool weather we've had lately it has made a great difference in the shift quality of the transmission. Vehicle is a 1997 Nissan pickup. The fluid that I am using is Nissan's 75W-85 manual transmission fluid. It retails for $12.45 per quart. The improvement in shift quality was amazing.

 

[Kuato]

Same with our Jeep Wrangler. Stiff in colder temps. Put in Amsoil's Synthetic manual trans fluid, and that helped a lot.

 

[d00df00d]

Could you clarify whether the problem with the factory stuff (hard shifting into 2nd/3rd) occurs at low or high temps?

 

[sciphi]

Sounds like my complaint about my Cruze's MT. Shifting into 2nd can be a bit crunchy when it's cold, and sometimes when warm. I've driven a brand-new 1 mile on it MT Cruze that did the same thing, so it's not my car. I'm thinking it's the fluid being too thick when it's cold. Some Amsoil Synchromesh (MTF) might find its way in come springtime. It's essentially a 70w-80, since its specs are very similar to Redline 70w-80. The Redline is billed as a thicker 80w when warm, while the Amsoil is a little thinner at 100*C.

 

[Sonataman]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d

Could you clarify whether the problem with the factory stuff (hard shifting into 2nd/3rd) occurs at low or high temps?

Low ambient temps, but fine when warmed up at low ambient temps. Fine in warmer weather.

 

[d00df00d]

So, to be clear: With the stock fluid, the problem is hard shifting into 2nd and 3rd when cold in low ambient temps? And RP MaxGear causes hard shifting in all gears at the same temps? It sounds like viscosity is at least a factor. Be careful going to a lighter viscosity than stock, though. If I were you, I would look at xw-85 synthetic manual transmission fluids. On that note: is there any other information about what kind of fluid your transmission requires? For example, is it supposed to meet GL-4 specs? That will be important, too.

 

[Sonataman]

Yes, GL4 spec'd fluid. With RP, you could put it in first gear while sitting still, then as you move along and go for second, it almost would not let you shift out of first gear, and it had trans drag while coasting along in first with the clutch disengaged. It was sort of like the clutch was still engaged and you were trying to shift with a back load on the gear. Never did that with the factory fluid, just reluctant to shift smoothly when cold. Manual just says GL4 75w85.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Try Amsoil MTG. It`s a "thin" GL4 75W90.

 

[mechtech2]

Get the Redline 75-85. If it still is a bit stiff in cold start out conditions, That's just the way it is. Unless you want to change out fluids for winter and summer!

 

[UG_Passat]

definitely go with a synthetic gear oil. I like Amsoil MTG the synthetic gear oil will improve cold weather, cold gearbox shifting

 

[Sonataman]

Made the swap to Redline MTL and it is better already but for the true test will need a 20f morning. Thanks.

 

[Ken42]

Why did you change the fluid so soon in a 2011 car? The recommended interval is 60k unless you have gone that far all ready. You should use the RL MT-85 75W85 GL-4 Gear Oil Especially if it is still under warranty. You can use any brand of oil you want as long as it meets Hyundai specs. The MTL does not. Ken

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: FowVay

I put the factory 75W-85 Manual Transmission Fluid in my Nissan and it made a world of difference. I had used heavier oil and it was horrible.

My Nissan Frontier has the same issue. It shifts very poorly with anything other than OE fluid. I tried Amsoil, Royal Purple and regular old gear lube. To the OP- I'm not trying to be critical, but are you sure you're familiar enough with how manual transmissions behave? I've had 6 vehicles with manuals, all of them shift worse when cold. I don't know what you consider "cold" in Georgia, but I've had vehicles that start to shift poorly when temps get into the 40s. All my vehicles require more careful shifting until the trans gets up to temp after a few minutes. Also, the Hyundai fluid is synthetic. It's made by SK Lubricants in Korea. I just bought it a few months ago and put in my Sonata. The Max Gear is too thick, most likely. It made my Nissan basically undriveable on chilly mornings. I would recommend going back to the OE fluid and just drive it. It's not a performance car, although I have been very satisfied with the shifting on my Sonata. I've driven front-wheel drive cars with much, much worse shifters.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:

Tried RP MaxGear 75w90 and the shifting is impossible until warmed up in cold weather. Warm temps is ok.

Of course, it's much thicker oil than an MTL specific gear lube. Try any of the MTL specific gear lubes such as the Amsoil and Redline, or GM synchromesh.

 

[02zx9r]

i liked gm syncromesh in my civic transaxle