what fluid for my focus

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Id like to update my manual transmission fluid in my 14 focus mainly to improve cold weather shifting smoothness. I have noticed notchier shifting when cold. All suggestions are appreciated.
 
Officially, you need a transmission fluid meeting Ford's WSS-M2C200-D2 spec, at least from a warranty perspective.

Since the OEM fluid is already synthetic, I doubt you'll see much improvement if you replace it with another synthetic fluid.

With that said, I did like RP Synchromax in my BMW trans, and that is what RP recommends for your trans as well. But it does not meet the WSS-M2C200-D2 spec.
 
as usual, I went to Amsoil's product application guide (as I would normally recommend a synthtetic) and it lists "no AMSOIL product recommendation" and specifies: Use Castrol BOT350-M3, Ford spec. WSS-M2C200-D2

btw - do you have the 5 speed or the 6 speed?

hopefully someone else has more experience with this
 
You didnt provide the spec for the fluid. Fortunately QP did. Its incredibly hard for anyone to speculate without at least a basis of the vendor's thought on viscosity selection. I recommend you report back on the actual viscosity spec, now that QP gave the actual spec number. We cant really give a good answer without that value, unless you want to just take a gamble and go with, say, GL-4 ATF...

Some lubes may be more friction modified, which may or may not be a smart thing to add in with synchros... OE fluid is safest...

But Id try Amsoil 5w30 MTF first and go from there. It may be hit or miss, but its the time of the year to test!
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
You didnt provide the spec for the fluid. Fortunately QP did. Its incredibly hard for anyone to speculate without at least a basis of the vendor's thought on viscosity selection. I recommend you report back on the actual viscosity spec, now that QP gave the actual spec number. We cant really give a good answer without that value, unless you want to just take a gamble and go with, say, GL-4 ATF...

Some lubes may be more friction modified, which may or may not be a smart thing to add in with synchros... OE fluid is safest...

But Id try Amsoil 5w30 MTF first and go from there. It may be hit or miss, but its the time of the year to test!


Im not all that concerned with fords spec. Or warranty nonsense. They have made this transmission for around 20yrs. Its the regular old 5sp.
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man

Im not all that concerned with fords spec. Or warranty nonsense. They have made this transmission for around 20yrs. Its the regular old 5sp.


What credentials do you have....that allows you to make a better judgement than the engineers who designed your vehicle?

Just because the transmission has been around for 20 years does not mean that the lubrication requirements have not changed. Different applications and material changes can often cause for lubrication requirements to be different.
 
The ford mtx-75 is used and liked by Miata owners . I don't think you'll find a difference in any other lubes.
 
I assume the MTX 75 still comes with XT-M5-QS as the factory fill? I am noticing some notchiness too at freezing and below, but it goes away in a mile or two. I just think of it as my reminder to take it easy.
The only trans I recall that didn't have some notchiness in the cold was our 92 sentra, and the mechanic we used at the time was putting in 5W30 motor oil... Seemed to work well enough and it rusted out before any issues popped up, but I'm sticking with the ford fluid in Focus.
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Im not all that concerned with fords spec. Or warranty nonsense.

Right, because if your trans conks out, it's going to be a bunch of unknown users on an internet forum, and not Ford, that will happily pay for your new transmission.
crackmeup2.gif
 
Hello I work for ford so as i said not worried about a spec. Example if rp says there stuff os recommended by them but does not have fords spec that's not a big deal to me. The manual calls for Full Synthetic dual clutch transmission fluid
 
Had really good luck with MT-90 in my notchy-when-cold Mazdaspeed 6. But, if the OEM fluid is syn, not sure it's going to make a difference in the Focus.
 
I am the first and only person to buy a stick shift focus of this generation at the dealership apparently.
 
Pentosin MTF2 if you want to go real thin or Redline MTL if you want a good compromise.
 
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