Manual Transmission Fluid

[bayleif]

I just changed the fluid in my 4 speed manual transmission. I was knowledgeable enough to use ATF. But I wasn't prepared for the large variety of ATF fluids. I chose "Type F" (it said it was recommended for older cars). Is this correct?
Dan, in searching for this answer I ran across a question that you posed to the group. You asked if anyone know the reason ATF was recommended for the manual transmission and not gear oil. No one responded. So, why?


Chuck Bartlett
1969 Signal Red 4 Speed

[rwmastel]

quote:Is this correct?

Did you read your owner's manual?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[George Davis]

Chuck,

Type F ATF should be fine.  It has a higher friction coefficient that helps the clutches in automatic transmissions lock up faster.  It was originally specified for '60's Fords, but may help any older auto box with worn clutches.  In my manual trans I tried Dexron III and Type F ATFs and noticed no difference between them, but it shifts best with synthetic Redline D4 ATF.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[Benz Dr.]

Why use ATF?
Well, I'll tell ya.  I really didn't know either until I was reading the 5 speed ZF repair manual one day. In this small book it clearly stated that only ATF can be used because gear lube contains zinc as an anti wear additive and will harden the gears making them chip from going brittle.
OK, it didn't say that exactly but it did mention how gear ube will harden the gears causing them to chip.
Most of the parts for these rare transmissions aren't available or are extremely exspensive
($1,500 for a set of gears) ZF only supplied about 1,500 five speeds to MB which were used in 113, 111,112 and some 108/109 cars. About 850 went into the 113 cars.

Daniel G Caron

[bayleif]

Thanks All:
Now I'll sleep better. I did read my owner's manual, it recommended Castrol "TQ" which was not one of the options at Walmart. Thanks for the insight Dan. Who would of thought that a lubricating oil could actually make the gears harder?

Chuck Bartlett
1969 Signal Red 4 Speed

[n/a]

Hey George,
Thanks for the suggestion about the synthetic Redline D4.

Regards,
Don

quote:Originally posted by George Davis

Chuck,

  In my manual trans I tried Dexron III and Type F ATFs and noticed no difference between them, but it shifts best with synthetic Redline D4 ATF.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual