I have a ZF 5 speed on my vehicle which calls for ATF, its a MB Euro 300D 5 speed transmission, the problem is I can't get synthetic ATF here in India, MB dealers charge $25 for a liter for M-I ATF packed in MB bottles, my only other option is to use regular Castrol or Elf or other ATF which to me seems too thin for hot summer use, can I get away using HDEO Delo 400 or Delvac MX or even Mobil-I in 15w40 grade and get away without any serious damage.
Using engine oil in tranny
- Thread starter Gurkha
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You can "probably" use motor oil, but I would go lighter. The manual calls for 10w30 in the Getrag 5sp in my Dodge pickup, but says ATF may be substituted for better cold weather shifting.
I say "probably" because I am not familiar with the ZF, only know that the two fluids appear to be interchangeable in the transmission on my truck. FWIW, I also cannot think of any transmisison damage I would not consider to be "serious."
I say "probably" because I am not familiar with the ZF, only know that the two fluids appear to be interchangeable in the transmission on my truck. FWIW, I also cannot think of any transmisison damage I would not consider to be "serious."
Motor oil is too slick for the synchros to grab properly.
What gear oils are available where you live?
Consider using 1/4 capacity gear oil with 3/4 dino ATF.
What gear oils are available where you live?
Consider using 1/4 capacity gear oil with 3/4 dino ATF.
^yeah^, not
That's why honduh says to use a xW30 engine oil in they transmissions....
You're fine with a xW30 and it'll protect a little better than ATF.
For smoother shifting look for an engine oil that's low in moly, zero is good.
If you're gonna compare VOA's compare stuff to Redline MTL.
You're better off NOT using a gear oil unless you can find one that's ok for transmissions.
Here it'll have a GL-4 rating. If it says GL-5 don't use it.
That's why honduh says to use a xW30 engine oil in they transmissions....
You're fine with a xW30 and it'll protect a little better than ATF.
For smoother shifting look for an engine oil that's low in moly, zero is good.
If you're gonna compare VOA's compare stuff to Redline MTL.
You're better off NOT using a gear oil unless you can find one that's ok for transmissions.
Here it'll have a GL-4 rating. If it says GL-5 don't use it.
Gear oil ruins the syncros, I have seen it first hand many a times where the local mechanics on insistence of the driver would put gear oil and I would see blued syncros.
I can look for 5w30, the reason I was leaning toward Delo 400 15w40 is because its a HDEO with good shear strenght and also rated for Alison transmission.
I can look for 5w30, the reason I was leaning toward Delo 400 15w40 is because its a HDEO with good shear strenght and also rated for Alison transmission.
Gurkha - I think 15w40 might be a bit viscous. 5w30 is the closest to an ATF (more like a 5W-20, actually)
That said - given the heat in your area - 15w40 would probably work.
That said - given the heat in your area - 15w40 would probably work.
My truck specs the same SF 10w30 as for the engine. Wonder if the SM 5w30 I am using in the engine is Ok for the transmission? Yes, SF, it is a 77.
Try using a motorcycle oil. Because of motorcycle wet clutches, the motorcycle oils should also work well with synchros. I wouldn't recommend newer SL/SM motor oils. I also don't see the need to use a 15w40 motor oil that is twice as thick as the ATF that is required, unless you plan on thickening the ATF(50:50 blend).
And, don't rule out other manual transmision fluids or synchromesh from other automakers.
And, don't rule out other manual transmision fluids or synchromesh from other automakers.
"I have a ZF 5 speed on my vehicle which calls for ATF"
Use ATF.
P.B.
Use ATF.
P.B.
You could use a 10w30 HDEO. Delo, Castrol, Mobil and others all make 10w30 HDEO. If that is available you could use that as it's a little thinner than the 15w40 and thicker than ATF. Delo 10w30 is also spec'd for use in most Allison's in cooler climates. I've run Delo 10w30 in a MD3060P without any trouble.
In the ZF 5/6 speeds that Ford uses in their F-SuperDuties I've mixed a some SAE30wt syn in with the MercV it calls for. It really helped the hot weather performance. Are their any MercV ATF's you have access to? Most MercV are a gpIII blend which may not be as good a Mobil 1, but still better than gpI/II/II+.
In the ZF 5/6 speeds that Ford uses in their F-SuperDuties I've mixed a some SAE30wt syn in with the MercV it calls for. It really helped the hot weather performance. Are their any MercV ATF's you have access to? Most MercV are a gpIII blend which may not be as good a Mobil 1, but still better than gpI/II/II+.
Pablo, thanks for your response and thanks to others as well, India is hot as well as extremely cold depending on where you are, out here summer is around 40C and winter is around -15C so have to watch out for the oil, problem is to find a HDEO 5w30, only gas oils available for that particular range, kinda wary to use regular gas rated mineral oils, would rather use HDEO instead.
Here's a couple kinda recent M1 5W30 VOA's
note the low moly...
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000346
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000255
note the low moly...
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000346
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000255
I would probably use one of Mobil's HDEO 10w30, although the Mobil 1 will probably work just as well. The last bottle of Delvac 10w30 I had was CAT and Allison approved, not sure if that is the case with Mobil 1. Like I said, Mobil 1 will probably work just as well. Maybe you could cut the 10w30 with a 20wt from the same company to help the low temp side some? Either way I think it will work ok, only thing missing from the oil will be an abundance of EP adds (HDEO is better in this respect). Good luck.
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