So I realize that automatic transmissions experience much more heat than the manual counterparts. With that said, does the 15k-20k drain and fill still apply to manuals?
MT OCI?
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Most manual transmissions nowadays are maintenance-free, ie. lifetime fill that never needs to be changed. However the definition of 'lifetime' is still left up to debate.
I'd say it's good to change it once in a while, but 15k is probably too frequently. I try to do it about every 30k on the 530i, trans and rear diff. Fist time it got changed was at around 40k miles. I did notice improvement in shifting afterwards, however, I don't know whether that was due to putting in fresh fluid or switching from the oem fluid to RP SynchroMax.
I'd say it's good to change it once in a while, but 15k is probably too frequently. I try to do it about every 30k on the 530i, trans and rear diff. Fist time it got changed was at around 40k miles. I did notice improvement in shifting afterwards, however, I don't know whether that was due to putting in fresh fluid or switching from the oem fluid to RP SynchroMax.
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I changed my Mazda 3 MT at 76000 KM. I won't bother to do it again. Original fluid looked mint. Mazda doesn't have a service interval.
That's what I figured. I changed the MT fluid at 30k on a Mustang that I had and the fluid coming out looked and smelled the same as the fluid going in.
I changed my 86 Jetta once @ 292,000 miles. It made it to 394,000 before it was totaled.
It did not work any better when I changed it. I just felt guilty...
I'd personally change the fluid around 60-100k and be done with it. Just make sure you get a good fluid in there. I did a stint of Mobil 1 gear lube and it was junk for the OCI. Once I got something better all has been fine for the last 100k.
Another reason why I LOVE manual transmission vehicles!
Bill
It did not work any better when I changed it. I just felt guilty...
I'd personally change the fluid around 60-100k and be done with it. Just make sure you get a good fluid in there. I did a stint of Mobil 1 gear lube and it was junk for the OCI. Once I got something better all has been fine for the last 100k.
Another reason why I LOVE manual transmission vehicles!
Bill
Originally Posted By: BovineScapegoat
I changed my Mazda 3 MT at 76000 KM. I won't bother to do it again. Original fluid looked mint. Mazda doesn't have a service interval.
Mazda doesn’t have a service interval for their automatic transmission either, so I wouldn’t necessarily go by that, but in general, most manual gearboxes can quite easily go without fluid changes under light duty.
I changed my Mazda 3 MT at 76000 KM. I won't bother to do it again. Original fluid looked mint. Mazda doesn't have a service interval.
Mazda doesn’t have a service interval for their automatic transmission either, so I wouldn’t necessarily go by that, but in general, most manual gearboxes can quite easily go without fluid changes under light duty.
A 15-20k drain on manual transmissions is too soon.
[Unless you had a specific problem , or did real racing.]
And some depends on how large the sump is. Some only hold a qt, and some almost 4 qts. For the average car, about 50,000 is good maintenance.
I change mine more often because of testing different fluids, and searching for the Holy Grail fluid for shiftability. The Amsoil MTF [synchromesh ] is really good so far.
[Unless you had a specific problem , or did real racing.]
And some depends on how large the sump is. Some only hold a qt, and some almost 4 qts. For the average car, about 50,000 is good maintenance.
I change mine more often because of testing different fluids, and searching for the Holy Grail fluid for shiftability. The Amsoil MTF [synchromesh ] is really good so far.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
The Amsoil MTF [synchromesh ] is really good so far.
What other fluids have you been able to compare it to? I'm thinking whether to stick with RP in my car or move onto something else...
The Amsoil MTF [synchromesh ] is really good so far.
What other fluids have you been able to compare it to? I'm thinking whether to stick with RP in my car or move onto something else...
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I'd personally change the fluid around 60-100k
My !echo! uses 2 qts and $20 bucks of Redline / 60K-100K is not a poor investment IMHO.
I'd personally change the fluid around 60-100k
My !echo! uses 2 qts and $20 bucks of Redline / 60K-100K is not a poor investment IMHO.
actually you'd be suprised how hot a manual trans can run, they are right on par with most automatics on a good cooling setup....
I know some guys with quaife diffs that are pushing 300 degree temps on the track when the diff is working hard, supposedly the diff makes a lot of heat...... even on the highway temps are over 200...... they usually change their fluid often or after track events......
I find myself interested in how long fluid lasts in a manual.... I'd also say it depends on what type of fluid you are running, my application is regular ole plain trans fluid
I know some guys with quaife diffs that are pushing 300 degree temps on the track when the diff is working hard, supposedly the diff makes a lot of heat...... even on the highway temps are over 200...... they usually change their fluid often or after track events......
I find myself interested in how long fluid lasts in a manual.... I'd also say it depends on what type of fluid you are running, my application is regular ole plain trans fluid
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Like all lubricants, trans fluids have come a long way over the years. The only thing that keeps me from doing the lifetime fill thing is the possability of, not the lubricant wearing out, but rather, the wear metals that eventually contaminate it.
Modern fluids are so good that I feel that if there was a way to remove the wear metals from it, it could be reused. My Mazdaspeed 3 now has the Ford lifetime fill (XT-M5-QS) in it and I plan to run it 40k miles or more before changing it. I may even do a UOA just to see what's up.
Might be kinda interesting.....
Modern fluids are so good that I feel that if there was a way to remove the wear metals from it, it could be reused. My Mazdaspeed 3 now has the Ford lifetime fill (XT-M5-QS) in it and I plan to run it 40k miles or more before changing it. I may even do a UOA just to see what's up.
Might be kinda interesting.....
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30k OCI.
Manufacturing has taken a turn for the worse. Quality isn't job #1 anymore.
Too much power, too much vehicle weight, and a cheaply low bid transmission won't last as long as the good ol' days.
A little stress or abuse....and current manuals develop problems quickly. PM is all we have! Exercise the drain plug.
Manufacturing has taken a turn for the worse. Quality isn't job #1 anymore.
Too much power, too much vehicle weight, and a cheaply low bid transmission won't last as long as the good ol' days.
A little stress or abuse....and current manuals develop problems quickly. PM is all we have! Exercise the drain plug.
I prefer to drain the factory fill after the first year then run a premium syn for intervals of 30K-60K.
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