cold shifting 1-2, 2010 has thin trans oil

[red6spd]

Hi I got a 07 speed 3 and have the hard shifting when cold. It is all stock. What transmission oil is everyone using? I've been using Mobil-1 synthetic, but might change it. I heard the 2010's speed3's will have a thinner oil for the transmission to improve cold shifting.

 

[karl hungus]

redline mt-90 through fleabay ftw.

 

[bluelion]

does everyone change their own tranny oil ?

 

[Sergius64]

How often is Tranny oil changed anyway? I can't find it in the manual's maintenence scheduele for some reason.

 

[karl hungus]

30k iirc from previous forum postings, but i jumped on the redline bandwagon at 6k. go to the "how-to tranny fluid change" post for more details.

almost as easy as changing out your engine oil.

 

[RichB]

I changed my tranny fluid twice so far (30 K intervals). I use Redline MT-90 and it is great! Changing the tranny fluid is much easier than changing the oil cause you don't have to mess with the damn filter cartridge.

Just to note I also used the Redline friction modifier since the differential makes a ton of noise on low speed turns without it. Some people don't mind tho.

 

[Mike240SX]

I changed my tranny fluid twice so far (30 K intervals). I use Redline MT-90 and it is great! Changing the tranny fluid is much easier than changing the oil cause you don't have to mess with the damn filter cartridge.

Let's not get crazy now. The cartridge filter is not THAT big of a deal. And though the trans fluid is not difficult to change, I'd certainly call it more intensive than oil - you need to lift the car at both ends, and it can be a PITA without two people or removing the airbox.

 

[RichB]

Let's not get crazy now. The cartridge filter is not THAT big of a deal. And though the trans fluid is not difficult to change, I'd certainly call it more intensive than oil - you need to lift the car at both ends, and it can be a PITA without two people or removing the airbox.

Lift the car on both ends? I just life the front exactly like an oil change. I guess I do skip a step with the airbox (I have a CAI). Other than that what is so intensive about it? I have this job finished much faster than an oil change.

 

[MS3Pilot]

It took me about an hour and a few beers to get my transmission fluid changed. (Redline MT-90 of course). Shift feel is noticeably better, and the 1-2 clunk first thing in the morning has been pretty much eradicated.

 

[sleeperstang199]

I used royal purple in my trans. Cant remember off the top of my head what is was called. I know its 75W-90 though.....GLH-4...maybe. anyway i changed mine at 3k and its been great. I still have the hard 1-2 cold shift but i just let it warm up longer.

 

[AWDthis]

Get 2 jacks, jack up the front end, drain transmission, lower left side of the car, wait for a while, jack it back up, replace fluid, tighten everything up your done...Its easy, IDK about stock air filter I also have a CAI and didnt have to remove anything. What should cost you more trouble is that plastic underbody cover which i just took off, never to put it again.

 

[ElGaspo]

that plastic underbody cover which i just took off, never to put it again.

hmmm...interesting. i thought it might have something to do w/ underbody air flow control. anybody else done this?

there are a # of ways besides the MT90 [which is good] that can help the 1-2 shift: double-clutch, wait 1-2 secs and just give the synchros time, shift at >3000 rpm [just doesn't like the low 2000 range] , be patient until it warms up. that's mine anyway. the more i read this forum the more this car is starting to sound like a woman...gotta know what turns her on, what to do/not do. sheesh (crazy)

 

[MicaSp33d]

hmmm...interesting. i thought it might have something to do w/ underbody air flow control. anybody else done this?

there are a # of ways besides the MT90 [which is good] that can help the 1-2 shift: double-clutch, wait 1-2 secs and just give the synchros time, shift at >3000 rpm [just doesn't like the low 2000 range] , be patient until it warms up. that's mine anyway. the more i read this forum the more this car is starting to sound like a woman...gotta know what turns her on, what to do/not do. sheesh (crazy)

mines the same way, i get better shifts in the 3k+ range

 

[karl hungus]

+1 on double clutching.

stock air filter shouldn't matter on a tranny fluid change since you're getting to the fill/drain bolts from underneath the car (rhino ramps). i have an sri, but filled from underneath w/ one of those cheapo fluid pumps from the auto parts store. getting the gear oil in the fill hole is the only thing harder than an oil change. i actually like the cartridge.

i felt like a man and good owner changing out my own tranny fluid, but didn't really notice anything. more than tires (carlisle, pa) had a great price on fleabay and shipped fast if you're in the mid atlantic area.

i've been chasing the 2-3 shift dragon w/ mods and the trz tranny mount was the fix.

 

[RichB]

hmmm...interesting. i thought it might have something to do w/ underbody air flow control. anybody else done this?

Yup, this car has an underbody aero package and that cover you take off for the oil change is what helps direct the air correctly to the back of the car.

 

[AWDthis]

Yup, this car has an underbody aero package and that cover you take off for the oil change is what helps direct the air correctly to the back of the car.

Say I dont have it, what would it do? Because I've been on a few trips to 130 and have not felt any difference since i took it off...

 

[RichB]

I bet for our speeds (155 and below) it doesn't do much. There definitely would be an airflow difference.

If nothing else it protects the engine from road debris.