So I put the wrong oil in my tranny

[Young Roids]

Last month I changed my tranny oil to synth at about 1100 miles. And I noticed it didn't shift as well while cold. So this cold shifting had been buggin me till today when I decided to check into it. I had bought:


Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 synthetic extreme pressure lubricant API GL-5

When I should have been running:


Amsoil synthetic manual transmission & transaxle gear lube 75W-90 API GL-4


That little api gl-4/gl-5 thing is the problem here. Do not run gl-5 in the MS3 because the MS3 needs gl-4. While gl-5 is newer it can erode brass parts like the synchros in the transmission. So the reason that my shifting was bad while cold must have been due to the fact that gl-5 doesn't play well with brass. Great, so I just put about 300 miles on my car with gl-5 lube!

Just thought I would post to help people out if they have made the same mistake as me.

 

[MS3077]

Last month I changed my tranny oil to synth at about 1100 miles. And I noticed it didn't shift as well while cold. So this cold shifting had been buggin me till today when I decided to check into it. I had bought:


Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 synthetic extreme pressure lubricant API GL-5

When I should have been running:


Amsoil synthetic manual transmission & transaxle gear lube 75W-90 API GL-4


That little api gl-4/gl-5 thing is the problem here. Do not run gl-5 in the MS3 because the MS3 needs gl-4. While gl-5 is newer it can erode brass parts like the synchros in the transmission. So the reason that my shifting was bad while cold must have been due to the fact that gl-5 doesn't play well with brass. Great, so I just put about 300 miles on my car with gl-5 lube!

Just thought I would post to help people out if they have made the same mistake as me.

What a dumb ass! (inout)

 

[ForceFed]

Are you sure the API-GL5 just doesn't Supercede the API-GL4.
I know Oil is that way with a lot of Specifications..you need at least that rating.

Does something SPECIFICALLY say not to use API-GL5?
I know with Brake Fluid...It weird as well...you are supposed to use DOT3...Can use DOT4...But ABSOLUTELY can't use DOT5 unless the car is designed for it.

So does something say you Cannot use the API-GL5 for sure?

 

[Young Roids]

Yes, I searched around and found a forum disscution about it. GL-5 is not backwards compatible due to the fact it eats away brass parts. GL-4 is the highest that you can use with brass synchros.

 

[MS3077]

Yes, I searched around and found a forum disscution about it. GL-5 is not backwards compatible due to the fact it eats away brass parts. GL-4 is the highest that you can use with brass synchros.

Looks like your gonna have to folk over $$ for new synchros you f'n clown! haha ...... J/k

THanks for the info though! I'll be sure not to make the same assine mistake you did. (wedge)

 

[Young Roids]

No, I am not worried about it. It has been in there for about 300miles I think it needs to be long term use to destroy the synchros. You could probly run your transmission full of water for 300 miles and be fine.

 

[MS3077]

No, I am not worried about it. It has been in there for about 300miles I think it needs to be long term use to destroy the synchros. You could probly run your transmission full of water for 300 miles and be fine.

I know I'm just giving you a hard time (boobs2)

 

[PeterC]

So, would it be better to get the Amsoil API GL-4 or the Redline MT-90?

 

[Young Roids]

Both of those are gl-4 oils so either way you you would be safe there. I am not sure what would be better between those 2 oils. It would be interesting if someone would try them both and say what they liked better.

 

[Young Roids]

So all day today I was going from one auto part store to another and no gl-4 any where. Looks like we need to order online only for this stuff.

 

[subparpunk03]

You won't notice a difference between redline and amsoil tranny fluid. Both are good, both are synthetic. You will notice a slight difference between the synthetic and stock oils though. I would say its worth the $30.

I notice a little bit of chatter in my tranny when I switched to the amsoil, so I am going to put some of the amsoil "slip lock" additive in it to see if it helps. It only chatters when I am turning the wheel as far as it will go and accelerating in 1st gear. Otherwise, silky smooth.

 

[Young Roids]

Amsoil and Redline are the only two oils I could find in 75w90 gl-4. If anyone knows any other brands that make gl-4 let me know. I have just got back from recieving blank looks from the guys at 3 auto parts stores trying to find gl-4 lube. I guess gl-4 is a very rare oil that not many people know about.

As far as the sliplock additive I would make sure that it is approved for use with gl-4. I know slip lock can be used with gl-5 for sure. Make sure it does not contain sulfur. Sulfur is an additive in gl-5 for extreme pressure scenarios but the sulfur is what will eat away at the yellow metals in the synchros.

 

[melan47]

i have been using royal purple max gear its specified for both gl-4 and gl-5. i currently drive a nissan with 6-speed gear box and have done a few lapping days with no more grinding down shifts and smoother shifts in the cold weather conditions.

 

[Young Roids]

I am confused by these oils that say both gl-4 and gl-5. Because everything I have learned says they are not compatible with each other so I have stayed away from these oils.

Well I finally found a local guy that had gl-4 today. A little subaru place that stocked redline mt-90. So I put that in and it shifts good again.

 

[Jesse MS3GT]

^ Dude youre on mnmazda correct? Why didnt you just go to MAP or a local MN shop? they would know

 

[Jesse MS3GT]

BTW you didnt use Mazda's certified tranny oil, you just voided your warranty with an aftermarket product

 

[Young Roids]

I didn't know MAP had the MT-90. Now I know. I may have voided my warranty by putting in the wrong oil. I don't see how the warranty is void because of putting in mt-90 though. Does it void your warranty to change your own engine oil? No. Not if you save your reciept.

 

[Jesse MS3GT]

My point was you didnt void it because its aftermarket... Just like putting an intake or exhaust on your car cant void the warranty lol I was just giving you s*** man

 

[bombermanx]

In the service manual, A26M-R 6speed fluid spec is API GL4 or GL5, 75w90, however, the owner's manual lists GL4 only. Not sure which spec will be used when it comes to warranty but there's a chance to fight it lol

 

[Young Roids]

My point was you didnt void it because its aftermarket... Just like putting an intake or exhaust on your car cant void the warranty lol I was just giving you s*** man

I know I keep saying to not mod if you want your warranty that's because it gives the dealer ammo to use against your warranty. I know that putting an intake on is not going to harm the engine in reality. But I get the distinct impression that dealer don't care about reality. It might come off that I am against modding wich I am not I just personally choose not to while I still have my warranty. Well I guess I did mod by changing my trans oil, oops!(beer)

In the service manual, A26M-R 6speed fluid spec is API GL4 or GL5, 75w90, however, the owner's manual lists GL4 only. Not sure which spec will be used when it comes to warranty but there's a chance to fight it lol

It is strange to me how they do list gl-5. I deffinently felt harder shifting with the gl-5 so I wouldn't reccomend it from that alone. But the only thing that I can come up with is that supposedly some newer gl-5 oils are supposed to be ok for brass and copper because they use less or no sulfur. So maybe the mazda brand gl-5 is ok for yellow metal??? Is there a mazda brand gl-5 oil? Some oils that I have found do claim to be both gl-5 and gl-4 wich I thought was a paradox so I stayed away from them.

As far as them voiding my trans warranty due to having run gl-5 for 300 miles I am not overly worried about it I guess I will deal with it when it comes up.