Don't use synthetic gear oil?

L

lestat13

Member
I went to get my first oil change this weekend and changed over to a full synthetic motor oil. I asked one of the guys how much to change the gear oil if I bought some redline or something. Next thing I know the shop manager comes over and tells me there is no reason to change out the gear oil for synthetic. It needs longer break in and if I do it wait until the normal service change interval. He said it makes virtually no difference and stop messing with a brand new car.

Now, I've heard many people here say how much better their car drove on a synthetic gear oil. Is there any validity to this "break in" claim. I don't wanna trash the gear box of my new car, but if the synth is only gonna do good things for it, I want it in my car.

Lemme know what you guys think!!!! (dunno)
 
I dumped my factory gear oil at 1,000 miles...

I replaced it with Red Line MT-90...did wonders for the smoothness of my tranny and I know my tranny has the best fluid in there for its protection and long life... At 16,000 miles, I've had no issues...

The service department knows nothing about cars...they are all tools.

You should also be using Red Line in your engine or at least a better quality oil (Amsoil or Royal Purple) if you plan on keeping this car a long time...
 
Last edited:
AutoXRacer said:
I dumped my factory gear oil at 1,000 miles...

I put in Red Line MT-90...did wonders for the smoothness of my tranny and I know my tranny has the best fluid in there for its protection and long life... At 16,000 miles, I've had no issues...

The service department knows nothing about cars...they are all tools.
Click to expand...

+1
 
lestat13 said:
I went to get my first oil change this weekend and changed over to a full synthetic motor oil. I asked one of the guys how much to change the gear oil if I bought some redline or something. Next thing I know the shop manager comes over and tells me there is no reason to change out the gear oil for synthetic. It needs longer break in and if I do it wait until the normal service change interval. He said it makes virtually no difference and stop messing with a brand new car.

Now, I've heard many people here say how much better their car drove on a synthetic gear oil. Is there any validity to this "break in" claim. I don't wanna trash the gear box of my new car, but if the synth is only gonna do good things for it, I want it in my car.

Lemme know what you guys think!!!! (dunno)
Click to expand...


I'm probably one of the few that will tell you to leave it alone for the time being. I've never changed my gear oil and the tranny is still very smooth. Drive, break it in, get used to the tranny and then later decide if you want (or need) something different. I see nothing wrong with what the service guy said. From his point of view, you're trying to fix something that isn't broken and I couldn't agree more.
 
I'd say that unless you're having your first oil change done early, you've already driven far enough to have a majority of transmission break-in out of the way. At this point, there is no disadvantage to switching over to an excellent syn fluid like MT-90. It vastly improved shift feel in my MS6 even when cold. I think the factory fluid in these cars is crap, judging from how much improvement I got. If shift quality sucks, the synchros are not doing their job...and it may be due to the oil. A good oil allows them to perform like they're supposed to, achieving the best performance and longevity from your transmission. If the service department doesn't want your money, crawl under there and do it yourself anc call it a bonding excercise. :-)
 
Betelgeuse said:
I'm probably one of the few that will tell you to leave it alone for the time being. I've never changed my gear oil and the tranny is still very smooth. Drive, break it in, get used to the tranny and then later decide if you want (or need) something different. I see nothing wrong with what the service guy said. From his point of view, you're trying to fix something that isn't broken and I couldn't agree more.
Click to expand...

I agree, for your typical general driver out there, the factory stuff is OK...
Being this is a Mazdaspeed and generally driven by auto enthusiast, whom generally want the best fluids to protect their drivetrain from spirited/hard driving conditions... Generally high performance cars tend to be serviced with high performing products by their owners...

If this is a leased vehicle, then don't waste your time with high performance fluids...if this is your pride and joy, invest in the best fluids you can buy...
 
AutoXRacer said:
I agree, for your typical general driver out there, the factory stuff is OK...
Being this is a Mazdaspeed and generally driven by auto enthusiast, whom generally want the best fluids to protect their drivetrain from spirited/hard driving conditions... Generally high performance cars tend to be serviced with high performing products by their owners...

If this is a leased vehicle, then don't waste your time with high performance fluids...if this is your pride and joy, invest in the best fluids you can buy...
Click to expand...

I drive spiritedly and have no issues with the factory oil or the transmission. The idea that people need to put in a synthetic fluid is flawed imo. Also, an oil will do little to protect a tranny from an abusive driver. About the only time I'd consider going with a synthetic gear oil is if I lived in extreme cold weather. All my opinion.
 
Betelgeuse said:
I drive spiritedly and have no issues with the factory oil or the transmission. The idea that people need to put in a synthetic fluid is flawed imo. Also, an oil will do little to protect a tranny from an abusive driver. About the only time I'd consider going with a synthetic gear oil is if I lived in extreme cold weather. All my opinion.
Click to expand...

You do not NEED to replace the fluids...its just recommended by anal auto enthusiasts... (lol2)
Though it is a proven fact that higher quality fluids will reduce friction and help protect the drivetrain from high heat and load stresses; of course, it will not do anything against an abusive driver...
 
lestat13 said:
I went to get my first oil change this weekend and changed over to a full synthetic motor oil. I asked one of the guys how much to change the gear oil if I bought some redline or something. Next thing I know the shop manager comes over and tells me there is no reason to change out the gear oil for synthetic. It needs longer break in and if I do it wait until the normal service change interval. He said it makes virtually no difference and stop messing with a brand new car.

Now, I've heard many people here say how much better their car drove on a synthetic gear oil. Is there any validity to this "break in" claim. I don't wanna trash the gear box of my new car, but if the synth is only gonna do good things for it, I want it in my car.

Lemme know what you guys think!!!! (dunno)
Click to expand...

I changed to Redline MT-90 at 5400 miles. My 08 MS3 shifts consistently better, but then I am picky about such things. The LSD also groans a little more in low speed turns which means it is working better. YMMV, you probably would not notice.
-enganear
 
I've never changed gear oil in any of my previous vehicles, but in my MS6, I'm seriously considering it. It can't hurt, and I fall into that cold weather category. I remember how stiff the shifter can be on cold mornings, and I'd love to put an end to that. Probably not a bad idea to change the transfer case and rear diff while I'm at it, and look to make sure the diff. is still intact.
 
enganear said:
I changed to Redline MT-90 at 5400 miles. My 08 MS3 shifts consistently better, but then I am picky about such things. The LSD also groans a little more in low speed turns which means it is working better. YMMV, you probably would not notice.
-enganear
Click to expand...

I did the same with 5900miles on the clock and my car seems to appreciate it. My 08 shifting feels smother with less notchiness and noticeably better in the morning. Def a worthwhile decision.
 
pointysticks said:
a friend said he improved his fuel mileage with amsoil in the motor and tranny..any merit to that?
Click to expand...

Easy... Less friction = more power (less energy spent on friction)

I second that statement... You won't get an extra 100 miles out of a tank, but 1-3 miles per gallon...
 
Sveivo said:
Yes, but probably not enough to notice?
Click to expand...

Thats Royal Purple's whole marketing strategy there...more MPG and more HP due to reduced friction!!! (lol2)

Like I said, probably just a few extra miles per tank...nothing significant.

I will tell you this though. I dumped the oil out of my lawn mower and gas trimmer/edger and replaced it with some extra Red Line 5W-30 I had laying around in the garage and holy crap!!!!! The power difference was impressive!!!! I don't know about fuel economy though since they barely comsume any gas...
 
AutoXRacer said:
Thats Royal Purple's whole marketing strategy there...more MPG and more HP due to reduced friction!!! (lol2)

Like I said, probably just a few extra miles per tank...nothing significant.

I will tell you this though. I dumped the oil out of my lawn mower and gas trimmer/edger and replaced it with some extra Red Line 5W-30 I had laying around in the garage and holy crap!!!!! The power difference was impressive!!!! I don't know about fuel economy though since they barely comsume any gas...
Click to expand...

Glad it worked on your mower!

I know you said it was little difference. I personally didn't notice any difference in mileage at all, and I'm running all synthetic fluids, albeit not Amsoil.
 
Not trying to get way off track here, but be careful to keep your eye on the oil level in your mower. When my mower was new, all the way through 2 seasons, I never had to add any oil..it stayed full. I switched to synthetic and it started consuming it. Started out with Mobil 1 5W-30...consumed rather quickly. Switched to 10W-40...consumed some. It's on 20W-50 now and while it has slowed down, it still uses some. If it doesn't stop by the end of this summer, I'm switching it back to conventional. Briggs & Stratton 6.25hp.
 
BlackCherry06 said:
Not trying to get way off track here, but be careful to keep your eye on the oil level in your mower. When my mower was new, all the way through 2 seasons, I never had to add any oil..it stayed full. I switched to synthetic and it started consuming it. Started out with Mobil 1 5W-30...consumed rather quickly. Switched to 10W-40...consumed some. It's on 20W-50 now and while it has slowed down, it still uses some. If it doesn't stop by the end of this summer, I'm switching it back to conventional. Briggs & Stratton 6.25hp.
Click to expand...

You have to realized though, Mobil 1 is not a "true" synthetic...its still made with dino oil... Maybe thats a difference...?
(huh)

Thanks for the warning though... I try to check it every time I use it... The gas trimmer/edger comsumes oil like crazy though; even the stock oil.
 
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