So I changed my manual tranny oil today with Redline MT-90 gear oil. The shop manual and owners manual states 2.83 quarts. When I was getting close to the end of the 3rd bottle, I watched the fill plug. No fluid came out after emptying the 3rd bottle. Since the manual states "Approximate 2.8 US Quarts", does this mean that I should add more until I see fluid coming out? I only ordered (3) bottles of Redline, since I had to order it online (nobody carries it near me). BTW, I tried sticking my pinky in the fill hole to see if I could feel the fluid, but I guess my finger is to big. Any tips on checking where the level line is? Should I add more oil, maybe another brand?
Manual tranny takes more than 2.83 Qts? Just filled it up today with 3 Qts, no drips
- Thread starter mnkyboy
- Start date
Of course, how else would I be able to get under there? I used a floor jack and had 4 jack stands.
So I guess the important part here is - the car was level, not slanted?And was this level relative to earth, not the ground?
I'm kind of curious what the change interval is supposed to be. I was quite surprised to find that my owners manual ('03) dosn't have it listed anywhere in the maintanance, not included in the table or anything...(for manual tranny)...?
My owners manual states every 48,000 miles, for a manual tranny.
The car was level, at least as level as I could get it with this equipment. I drove it around tonight, shifting feels fine.
The 48,000 mile interval is for cars in Chile. The charts for all except Chile do not mention changing transmission oil.
Clifton
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
and why not go by what is stated for chile?
LOL. Ok, then you never have to change your tranny oil...not.
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
I wounder why their is something only stated about chile. Obviously the fluid has to be changed out the question is the duration on the fluid.
Haha, you know, when I did it I only had a ramp so I had to push the car off the ramp after I got the bolts off and deal with the low clearance of P5. (So it's leveled) It was on gravel too. I had a friend holding the funnel on top and I hold the tube to the tranny. I actually used three whole bottle too but some of them dripped out since the equipment was not adequate.
Josh
Wow - so the fluid placed in there at the factory is so good, it takes the harsh environment of the Andes to break it down? Impressive! (laugh)
you know, the OTHER option whould be to drive it up on ramps, then jack up the rear, via the center track bar, making a tripod. Only need 2 ramps and 1 jack that way. better to put some stands under the rear though...
Most new vehicles do not specify changing transmission or differential lubricants, my two wheel drive 04 Tacoma maintenance schedule only calls for inspections but not changing the lubricants. If it's a 4 wheel drive, has a limited slip or has been used for towing they do recommend lube changes. If you look at the Mazda schedule for Chile there are lots of differences between their maintenance requirements than for USA cars. I suspect many of their roads are dirt or just desert sand.
I have purchased several used differentials from salvage yards and in most cases when the oil is drained it usually looks very clean even after 10-12 years. The exception is if it gets water inside.
Clifton
I have purchased several used differentials from salvage yards and in most cases when the oil is drained it usually looks very clean even after 10-12 years. The exception is if it gets water inside.
Clifton
I'm so cheap I don't even want to buy a jack stand lol. No the thing is I'm still in college and moving every year i try to keep everything minimum, so I only carry a ramp.(?) Am I contradicting myself? Well I'm pretty poor too.
Oh, I know why, because I work on cars on the gravel and it's not good with jack stand. Cheap apartment.
Josh
Oh, I know why, because I work on cars on the gravel and it's not good with jack stand. Cheap apartment.
Josh
I'd change the trans fluid out every 15-20k... if you aggressively all of the time.
35K if you punch it every now and then
55k if you drive like a grandma.
The trans fluid swap is needed due to contamination not so much to molecular breakdown.
35K if you punch it every now and then
55k if you drive like a grandma.
The trans fluid swap is needed due to contamination not so much to molecular breakdown.
I purchased Redline MT-90 online from Summit Racing. Its about $9.50 a quart. MT-90 is GL-4 spec, so its great for the Mazda transmissions. Differentials usually take GL-5. I would check your trucks owners manual to see what type of oil they recommend.
What Mazda are you referring to? The Protege5 is front-wheel drive, so the differential is with the transmission. I just changed my Miata tranny and differential oil today. The tranny oil was pretty dark, but the differential oil was pretty clean looking in comparison. Needless to say, changing these oils is good maintainance on your vehicle.
The used differentials I purchased were not Mazda, some were Toyota, others were from various USA makes. I agree changing the lube is good maintenance. On the other hand in the past thirty years I have run some light trucks and some front drive cars around 100,000 miles and on some have not changed the transaxle or trasnsmission lubes. Two light trucks were used for towing. I have not experienced any transmission or differential problems. As I said many newer vehicles do not recommend changing transmission or differential lubricants. It doesn't do any harm to change them but in all probility it will cause no harm if you do not change them.
Clifton
Clifton
