Short-term change in shift quality with MTL-R

[Titan]

LOVE the way the Subaru manual transmission shifts with SF's MTL-R. However, I have a question about someting I've noticed. Upon first driving the car in the AM, every gear shift is a bit difficult for one shift. THEN, it the shifts become so smooth that sometimes I literally cannot feel anything but butter-smooth movement as I shift. It's as if the gears need to have some fluid moved up on them before they run right.

This last comment may prove how little I understand about manual transmissions, which I freely admit. The only thing I've done with them is exchange the gearbox and replace it with the rebuilt one on a 1954 Ford truck.

Anyway, does someone have an idea about what causes this phenomenon? I don't think it is "warming up" that is the reason, because it's only one shift in each gear that is required to smooth it out so nicely.

 

[Bobert]

I'm running SF MTL-R in my VW as well, and before that I had Redline MT-90 and both gear oils do the same thing in the morning, having slight hesitation in 2nd only. Once I go a half mile down the road to the first stop sign, the transmission shifts without any hesitation at all. And I know a half mile doesn't bring the fluid temperature up that much. It does not do it in the summer though.

 

[Titan]

Bobert, I think the experts were being kind to us by not responding. I tried this experiment, and found out the notchiness I feel in the AM is due to my shift habits. When I first start out in the AM, I tend to push the clutch in fully before I move the shift knob. This results in a bit of a slow, or even clunky shift. After a few shifts, I begin to have just a bit of pressure on the shift knob towards the direction of the next shift, THEN I push in the clutch. This results in the buttery-smooth shift...even cold. Try it and see if that is what you've been doing, too.

 

[Titan]

Yep, I'll be ordering more in about 30,000 miles, or if I detect any change in performance. At that time I'll go to the HDS (I'll look it up at that time to get it right) for the rear differential, too. That MTL-R is some good stuff!

 

[twillet]

Molakule,
Do you recommend the MTL-R for the Audi 01E 6-speed gearbox, or one of your other lubes?

[ December 21, 2005, 12:34 AM: Message edited by: twillet ]

 

[MolaKule]

In any MT the fluid needs a bit of temperature rise on cold mornings and it needs to get slung around so as to coat the shifter mechanism as well as the synchros'.

Glad to hear the MTL-R is shifting well.

 

[MolaKule]

Send me a PM or go to

[email protected] and give me year and engine please, thanks.

 

[twillet]

Mail sent. Thanks.