red97vette

Would you guys recommend using the Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in a 6 speed car? Ive got a 97 with 50k miles on it now, and the shifting between first and second are becomming really "notchy." Ive heard that its the "norm" to use ATF in M6 gearboxes...i just want to be 100% sure before i put it into my baby.

Thanks

Markss

I don't think that would be a good idea. Two different types of oil.

red97vette

anyone else?

im confused now...

Midwest Vette

The mn6 transmission uses dexron 3 atf. As long as it meets the dexron 3 specs you should be fine.

Mark 84ltblu

That's what I put in our 98. It really improved the 1-2 shift and seemed to smooth out the others as well.

Vetteman Jack

red97vette

did u put in mobile 1 atf or the dextron III?

So...i should be good to put this stuff in (mobile 1 atf)? eventhough its ATF...this is kinda scaring me...just dont want to screw up my tranny...

red97vette

also, how difficult is it to change the tranny fluid? Is it hard to get to the refill point?

Glennm27

I use Royal Purple in my differential and tranny. They are an excellant choice.

Max-ATF for the transmission
http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/matfa.html


Max-Gear for the differential
http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/mgeara.html

To help you with you question and apparent confusion.

Your 6 speed manual DOES indeed use Dexron III ATF fluids.

Glennm27

First off: Dexron III is a rating NOT a brand. For instance, Mobil 1 ATF is Dexron III rated as is Royal Purple, Amsoil and others. When purchasing the lubricant you will see Dexron III on the bottle of many brands. BE SURE you do use a Dexron III rate lubricant. That's a must.

How easy is it you ask? Draining is easy, just pull both plugs (drain & fill) and let it drain itself. Filling is a little more of a feat, but not all that bad. You'll need 4 quarts and will not use quite all of the last one.
It is easy to know when it's filled to the correct level. Just fill until it starts to come out of the fill hole. When that happens, let that slight overfill run out for a while, then buttion her up and you're done.

JTS97Z28

I DO NOT recommend using Mobile one Sythetic ATF in your 6speed. I tried using it in my 97 Camaro Z28 6speed and ended up giving me troubles. I was told its because of the type of fluid on the synchros allows them to get too hot and slippery. it must be true because I would once in a while get a grind going into 1st. Problem never happened again after going to a normal dexron III fluid. Also, my 3-4 synchro wore out to and I dont drive my car hard. DO not use that fluid. Just get a normal Dexron III fluid.

Piranha

What:
Dexron III rated ATF is what to use in MN6.

Who's:
Brand depends on preference, but I replaced mine with Amsoil.

How:
Draining is easy as draining the oil except the drain plug is horizontal so is squirts out sideways...yuck! To fill, get ~4 feet of 1/2" clear tubbing at hardware store. Have one person hold the tube in the fill hole, and another person pour the fluid into the tube held above and to the side of the car until it starts coming out the fill hole. Button it up. Be sure to do this with the car level or you wont get enough or too much in. Raise both ends if neccessary. I actually did this in less time that it takes me to change the oil.

Bill Curlee

I switched to Moble 1 synthitic in my 98 and 02 ZO6 and WOW what a difference. It shifts very smooth and does not have that notchey feel when shifting. I am VERY satisfied with the switch!

When you change your fluid, if you go to your local autoparts store and purchase one of the trans fluid bags (it's sort of like an IV bag) it will make re-filling the trans a snap!!! All you have to do is pour 2 qts of fluid into the bag and squeese it in to the fill hole

Stock Man

Good post!! There was a seminar with Dave McClellan and he said that synthetic is the way to go for all fluids. He said it handles the heat much better than dino oil. So I can't understand why JTS97Z28 above had a hard time. Unless the damage was already done and the synthetic showed the faults. I will be changing all my fluids to synthetic this winter. Much better anti-wear with the synthetics. My .02

red97vette

this kinda worried me... i already bought the mobile 1 atf and am gonna put it in tomarrow morning. As Bill Curlee said, i think synthetic would be better as well. Hopefully mine wont have any problems...
thanks for the posts guys

Dan

JC in XTC5

As per others who previously replied, you are fine with Mobil-1 Synth ATF since it meets the Dexron III requirements. I switched out my non-synthetic factory fill with Redline D4ATF Synthetic over a year ago and have had no problems. There are several synthetic alternatives to Dexron III that are fine to use.

red97vette

Shortimer

Glad I read this post. Sounds like a good idea to go with Mobil One next time I change out the tranny fluid.

JTS97Z28

Well go ahead and switch but im telling you that the sychros and blocker rings do not like the synthetic fluids.

Here are a few quotes from my friends over at the f-body boards:

"You do not want to use synthetic oil in your transmission. They need slight friction to work and function properly and synthetic oil is just to slick for it. I have never heard of any transmission shop that used or recommended synthetic oil. If fact when I asked they said "Oh no....no synthetics, use regular oil." They recommended Penzoil ATF Dextron III. Thats what I use now. There are a few transmission builders in here that will tell you the same."

"in a six speed situation you only wanna run dexron III NON SYNTHETIC!! i personally run the valvoiline dexron III non synthetic in my M6 only cause i cant find any mobil 1 non synthetic ATF fluid"

"synthetic is a friction modifier and the m6 tranny syncros work on friction so you do the math"

"As far as synthetic, I stand by what I've said: it doesn't help anything, and the slippery characteristics are not conducive to synchros working properly."

"The lubricity of synthetic is a bit better than non-synth, and reducing friction between friction surface and the surface on the gear is not a good thing for synchros."

"Chuck, It's a FACT that the 98-00 tranny's came with paper fiber blocker rings. One thing you have not counted on is that some of these 98-00 trannys have been rebuilt or had those blocker rings replaced with the carbon fiber upgrades.It has come from people in the profession that the synthetics DO break down the paper fibers more quickly."




Well I can go on and on, but if you seriously want to use Synthetics in your tranny so be it. I used Mobile one synth ATF in my T-56 and will NEVER again use a synthetic fluid in the tranny.
Hope this helps.
JT

C66 Racing

AMSOIL synthetic ATF meets Dexron III requirements and is what I use in my tranny which sees pretty rough duty (16k total miles, 8 DE days, and 24 SCCA races and counting...).
AMSOIL ATF Product Info

AMSOIL sales through my dealership benefit my race team and this site. Thanks for your support.


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