Transmission Cured

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by Mizzle First, they told me to use what's specified in the manual. They also informed me that Mazda makes the transmission themselves. After calling them out, they told me to ask the dealership. (hah.) They then sent me to MazdaTechInfo.com. They said to use what's in the manual. *facepalm*

Straight GL-4 75W90......... doesnt call for addition of friction modifier.
The Gen2's call for 75W80 IIRC

[Mizzle]

no no, I know what it calls for. The Motorcraft fluid, from what I've found, is only kind-of GL-4. Either way, the reason people get diff-whine is because the OE fluid has a friction modifier and the Motorcraft stuff doesn't.

At any rate, I'd just like to know if it's really an Aisin BG6 with different ratios among the vehicles. Also, I'd like to see if the 75W-80 would be suitable long-term in the Gen1 to see if it would help the syncros spin-up faster due to less resistance.

[superskaterxes]

how often r u guys swaping tranny fluid?

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by superskaterxes how often r u guys swaping tranny fluid?

After having a long discussion with a transmission and axle rebuilder a while back.
He recommended change at 20k miles and then treat it as a lifetime fill.
He said most break-in and wear occurs in the first 20K, so dump that fluid to get the metal particles out, and then that replacement fluid is all you will need.

[MileHighM6]

Will the warranty cover the switch from Gen1 to Gen2 fluid?

[meatball18]

put the motorcraft in last weekend and it is pretty good stuff. havent really seen such a dramatic difference in it like some guys are sayin but it is a little better. good enough i would recommend whenever it is time to swap out fluids, but not rush out and buy it on a whim IMHO

[dixie789456]

i'm uding royal purple in my tranny and its suppoesed to have friction modifiers in it, but it still wines like a bitch and grinds first when cold sometimes. no wonder people are breaking shifters in this car!!!!

[Hank3]

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak After having a long discussion with a transmission and axle rebuilder a while back. He recommended change at 20k miles and then treat it as a lifetime fill. He said most break-in and wear occurs in the first 20K, so dump that fluid to get the metal particles out, and then that replacement fluid is all you will need.

I find this interesting. I can't seem to find the maintenance interval for the tranny fluid in our Owner's Manual, but it seems like everyone says to change it out every 30K. Is the 30K interval kinda like how everyone says you need to change out the oil every 3K? Curious to find out out how 30K came about.

Not trying to argue as I plan to change mine out at 30K. I did the same with my WRX when I owned it for six years - changed out the fluid every 30K.

[BUNGEEZZ]

I have a stage 1 short throw shifter with base+ bushings along with the ford fluid and let me tell you...



AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! =)
It may be Impossible to mis-shift!!! SO SMOOTH AND PRECISE!
MUST HAVEE!!

[Mizzle]

Everything I've read elsewhere puts the Ford fluid in the Focus transmission category, which is a different trans than we have. That being said, Amsoil is likely better than anything Motorcraft.

Anyone have contact info for Aisin? Let's just ask them.

[Arrowpoint]

2008 MS3 here and I recently changed to the XT M5 QS Motorcraft fluid at 37000 miles. I have rear and side motor mounts as well as solid shifter bushings and a home made shift plate. I have become used to the constant transmission whine and sloppy shifting although the shifting was somewhat improved by the plate. I was skeptical about the Motorcraft fluid but I can tell you that the improvement with this fluid was immediate and very noticable. The tranny is much quieter now. Shifting has a different feel. It's a subtle difference but it is an improvement. I'll report any changes over time.

[Speed3eak]

Anybody swapped out the transmission fluid in a Gen2? Is this motocraft stuff 75/90? Is there an equivalent motocraft fluid, or would it be better to go with amisol? If you have tried an alternative transmission fluid, have you noticed an improvement?

I'm all about improving the shifting feel in the car, I just don't want to make it worse if the stuff in there is already good.

[soulefx]

so do we need to add a friction modifier or not? i read through this whole thread and didn't see any definite answer as to whether we need to add it or not.

[cld12pk2go]

Originally Posted by soulefx so do we need to add a friction modifier or not? i read through this whole thread and didn't see any definite answer as to whether we need to add it or not.

No.

[Cataphract_40]

Originally Posted by soulefx so do we need to add a friction modifier or not? i read through this whole thread and didn't see any definite answer as to whether we need to add it or not.

don't do that. Long story short...it may diminish the LSD noise, but it will decrease the effectiveness of your transmission's synchros, shortening their life.

[BMSPEED3]

Im about to change my trans fluid to the motor craft, hopefully this helps. This may be a stupid question but when i looked up the R & R on all data it said you should replace the plug and washer in the drain and fill hole, is that really necessary?

[div2]

Originally Posted by BMSPEED3 Im about to change my trans fluid to the motor craft, hopefully this helps. This may be a stupid question but when i looked up the R & R on all data it said you should replace the plug and washer in the drain and fill hole, is that really necessary?

No.

[Cataphract_40]

If by 'replace' you mean buy a brand new one, no.

If by 'replace' you mean 'screw the old one back in the drain hole once i'm done draining', then yes, otherwise things will go very wrong very quickly

[BMSPEED3]

Lol I ment by getting a new one but thanks!

[P5_2_MS3]

So, none of you have bothered to replaced the crush washers? I think they're like a $1 part. I just picked up some of the Motorcraft fluid but am wondering if I should wait till I can get some new washers before draining and refilling.

[NCZ13]

I didnt replace mine when i did the swap.

[div2]

Originally Posted by NCZ13 I didnt replace mine when i did the swap.

Me either; if you do want to replace it you should be able to find one at most any auto parts store.

[801MS3]

I was one click away from buying the motorcraft now im second guessing, and considering the amsoil.

Anyone else tried both?
I really want a smoother quieter tranny BUT i DO NOT want the whiney diff.

Anyone running the amsoil having noise problems?

[div2]

Originally Posted by 801MS3 I was one click away from buying the motorcraft now im second guessing, and considering the amsoil. Anyone else tried both? I really want a smoother quieter tranny BUT i DO NOT want the whiney diff. Anyone running the amsoil having noise problems?

I run the Ford synthetic and the only time I notice any whine is when the fluid is cold and/or I'm making a very sharp turn at parking lot speeds.

[BMSPEED3]

Originally Posted by div2 I run the Ford synthetic and the only time I notice any whine is when the fluid is cold and/or I'm making a very sharp turn at parking lot speeds.

i have royal purple in mine now and i get the same result, not much improvement over the stock feel though thats why im switching to the ford fluid.

[div2]

Originally Posted by BMSPEED3 i have royal purple in mine now and i get the same result, not much improvement over the stock feel though thats why im switching to the ford fluid.

In my case the feel improved to the point that I found the car to be much more enjoyable to drive.

[retrobmx63]

Subbed for future maintenance

[P5_2_MS3]

Swapped out the MT-90 for the Motorcraft stuff yesterday. Turns out the dealer who changed the fluid for me last time over-torqued the drain plug, AND forgot to put in the crush washer. Some of the fluid may have leaked out, contributing to my rough shifting. When I poured the used oil back into the containers, I had only a bit more than 2 qts. I moved the crush washer from the fill plug to the drain plug, since I can replace the fill plug washer anytime without losing oil.

Last night, shifting felt the same as with the old MT-90, but today it seems to have improved noticeably. I guess there's some truth in what everyone's saying about it taking a while to for the new oil to work in.

[801MS3]

Have you noticed the low speed tight turn "whine"?

[super_pablo_]

alright so i just read this entire thread and im convinced i should give it a try... ive been recently grinding 3rd when flooring it, and the 1st-2nd shift is loud as fuck.

i found the link for the motorcraft shit, but wheres the link for the amsoil one everyone thinks is better...
i dont wanna read the hole shit again.. anyone post the link?
thanks

[super_pablo_]

anyone?

[super_pablo_]

come ON!!!... link for amsoil?

[Speed3eak]

scan through and look for links - they're a different color.

Seriously, it's only 4 pages.

[801MS3]

I have it bookmarked on my home computer, but im at work, ill post it later.
I too am torn on amsoil vs motorcraft.
Anyone running the amsoil getting the low speed tight turn diff whine?

[morgan2112]

Originally Posted by 801MS3 I have it bookmarked on my home computer, but im at work, ill post it later. I too am torn on amsoil vs motorcraft. Anyone running the amsoil getting the low speed tight turn diff whine?

I have had the amsoil in for 8K and I don't have any whine or noise problems, but I didn't have any with the OEM either. The Amsoil made my shifting feel marginally better/smoother.
My issue is the resistance I still feel when going into 2nd gear. I wonder if this FORD Focus special GL-4ish would help me slide into 2nd any smoother??
Thanks!!!

[nyghtryder]

Originally Posted by super_pablo_ come ON!!!... link for amsoil?

its redline mt-90 can be found at streetunit, jsc speed, maybe pg along with ebay and amazon. su was cheapest at the time when i purchased mine about a month ago.

[Speed3eak]

I'd like to see some posts by people who have tried more than one type, so far there seems to be 3 types people like:
Motorcraft
MT-90
Amisol

If anybody has swapped out one for the other, I would love to get your impressions and before/after comparisons.

[nyghtryder]

isnt the amsoil and mt90 the same thing? I looked for amsoil and the redline kept coming up so i assumed they were the same. several places i found the product titled as amsoil but the pic was redline.

[Cataphract_40]

I've tried MT-90 and XT-M5-QS. The redline gave me LSD chatter. The Motorcraft does not. Case closed in my book

[P5_2_MS3]

Originally Posted by 801MS3 Have you noticed the low speed tight turn "whine"?

I'm glad you asked, because I didn't even notice it was gone! I guess it's easier to notice new noises than the absence of old ones. It was always there with the MT-90, but I can't seem to reproduce it with the Motorcraft.