I just want some clarification. Is it bad to run ATF in a manual tranny? Why doesn't anyone besides Honda sell MTF? I know you can use 10w30 or 10w40, but that is not what I am wondering.

 

honda mtf for the win and they sell mtf everywhere

 

Except for autozone I guess.

 

ATF isn't oil...it's fluid that is pushed into each part of the transmission to attain the required pressure to actuate the clutches.
Honda "MTF" is just slightly conditioned oil.
same reason honda sells hondabond...
because they can

 

So is it fine to run ATF in a manual? Is it the same as MTF?

 

no do not use ATF, use only 10w30 or honda MTF

 

no, your transmission will screw out its bolts, jump off the dowels, come into the car and beat you with the shifter cables.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pinecone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just want some clarification. Is it bad to run ATF in a manual tranny? Why doesn't anyone besides Honda sell MTF? I know you can use 10w30 or 10w40, but that is not what I am wondering.</TD></TR></TABLE>

NO, you cannot run ATF in a manual tranmission, YOU CAN But it will NOT LAST for 10 mins.

ATF is a hydraulic fluid.

Everyone sells MTF fluid.. you can buy something like Royal Purple, Mobil One, they do not call it MTF fluid, its called Gear Fluid. its the same thing though.

Usually has a rating of viscosity like 85w140 or similar.

 

and please do not make the mistake of buying Royal purple Syncro max and use it as a MTF.. Syncro max is a ATF fluid..

Gear max is the MTF fluid..

some idiot used the wrong product in his car and blew the transmission and blammed it on royal purple

when the idiot cant read the back of the bottle and figure it out himself.

 

Alright. I have some amsoil 75w90 or something severe gear lube or oil in the shed that I also used in the manual Ranger that I will use and save the atf for the truck.

 

Do not run a gear oil in a Honda trans unless it is specifically formulated to work with synchros. If you use a straight gear oil, the transmission will be very notchy and shift like hell, as a standard gear oil will be too "slippery" to allow the synchro rings to operate properly. Only use a fluid that is designed to work in a synchro type transmission: Red Line MTL, Honda MTL (the new stuff is pretty darn good IMO), GM Synchromesh FM (this is what I use in my track car since I run a clutch pack LSD), etc.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do not run a gear oil in a Honda trans unless it is specifically formulated to work with synchros. If you use a straight gear oil, the transmission will be very notchy and shift like hell, as a standard gear oil will be too "slippery" to allow the synchro rings to operate properly. Only use a fluid that is designed to work in a synchro type transmission: Red Line MTL, Honda MTL (the new stuff is pretty darn good IMO), GM Synchromesh FM (this is what I use in my track car since I run a clutch pack LSD), etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

its been well over 5 years since i owned my prelude, and i use stickly Royal Purple, 85w90 Gear Max for the transmission.

the shifts at low speed, and high speed. as well as cold and hot temperature have been flawless. A lot better then when i first got the car.

When it bought it had 60k miles on it, and it that "5th Gear grind" after i switched to RP , it went away after about 500 miles, and has never came back.

I know you may not agree with using a Gear fluid, many cases not many other brands will do much good.

But my Expericenes with RP over the 5 years with the lude, have been nothing but great.

Putting down 400hp, daily driven, in the hot summer and so so cold winters.

 

Please note what I said:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do not run a gear oil in a Honda trans unless it is specifically formulated to work with synchros.</TD></TR></TABLE>

From RP's web site:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Max-Gear is recommended for use in truck, motor home / RV, and automotive front or rear differentials, manual transmissions and lower gear units of marine engines that specify use of an API GL-5 or GL-4 fluid.</TD></TR></TABLE>

While it is a gear oil, they did design it to work in manual transmissions, so I'd expect it to work well. Try using a plain gear oil that's only designed for rear ends, and you'll have very, very different results.

BTW, there are manual transmissions that specify ATF as the fluid fill. I can't recall exactly which at the moment, but I know some do.

Red Line's shockproof gear oils are an example of a gear oil NOT to use in a synchronized transmission (you can use it in a dog ring transmission, though):
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A unique gear oil designed to lubricate racing transmissions and transaxles which see serious loads (not recommended for most syncro-type transmissions). It has excellent low-temperature flow which allows easier shifting when cold. May be used to obtain maximum power transfer in racing differentials which do not see high temperatures. Similar to a 75W140 gear oil, but with the lower internal friction of an SAE 30 motor oil.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Please note what I said:


From RP's web site:


While it is a gear oil, they did design it to work in manual transmissions, so I'd expect it to work well. Try using a plain gear oil that's only designed for rear ends, and you'll have very, very different results.

BTW, there are manual transmissions that specify ATF as the fluid fill. I can't recall exactly which at the moment, but I know some do. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Ohh, my apologies, i misread.

There are indeed manual transmissions that specify ATF as the fluid.. Its usually Jeep Brand 4x4 Vehicles.


Modified by Mykizism at 3:35 AM 6/3/2007

 

So you liked the RP stuff quite a bit? I wonder if it'll work with a clutch pack LSD. This GM Synchromesh stuff is great, but it does have a bit of an issue with high heat, and it's only semi-synth, so I'd love to run a full synth that would be compatible with the clutch plates in the LSD.

EDIT: I should follow my own advice.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">All viscosities of Max-Gear are formulated with hypoid friction modifiers necessary for use in clutch or cone type differentials. No additional additives are necessary</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm going to have to pick up some of this stuff and give it a try! I don't know why I didn't run into this sooner.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So you liked the RP stuff quite a bit? I wonder if it'll work with a clutch pack LSD. This GM Synchromesh stuff is great, but it does have a bit of an issue with high heat, and it's only semi-synth, so I'd love to run a full synth that would be compatible with the clutch plates in the LSD.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I use RP in all the vehicles Ive owned, Prelude, 240sx, Maxima. All of which are manual tranmissions. I love the stuff.

Im not entirely sure if it would work with a clutch pack LSD, because I've never personally used a clutch type lsd. I currectly use a Quaife in the Prelude. But I figure if you are using GM synchromesh with that LSD, Im willing to bet that RP will work with it too, but not all my savings

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mykizism &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Im willing to bet that RP will work with it too, but not all my savings </TD></TR></TABLE>
You should have bet your savings. See my edit above.

 

LMAO!

 

Thanks for the tip. Where do you usually buy yours from?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 117 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the tip. Where do you usually buy yours from?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oreilly's the ones here in houston, usually stock RP products. Though not on the shelfs. They keep them in the back, so you have to ask for it.

There are two kinds 75w90, and 85w140 (I think)..

I currently on the 75w90 works good through out the year. The 85w140 is better for summer or harder driving since its a bit thicker and more prone to fighting heat. But in the winter when it gets colder, shifting may is a bit rougher in the cold mornings but starts to work fine after it warms up.

 

dude just go to gm dealership and get gm secromesh! it works wonders!!

 

GM Synchromesh all the way!! I run it in my daily type-r turbo..couldn't work better!

 

Are you using 85/90 in a honda tranny? You havent burned up 5th gear yet? Ive never heard of that! Honda had a problem in the 1990 crx si, the trans would howl under light acceleration. The Honda engineers said to use atf for the first 30000 miles! It fixed the problem cars and never damaged the trannys. It seems that using a heavy oil would starve 5th gear.