2000 Ranger 2.5L 5 speed manual trans. Last summer I changed the trans fluid and went with synthetic fluid. Now that temps here are fallen into the low double digits/single digits it extremely to get into gear. The first time when trying to go from 1st-2nd-3rd etc it's heard to get into gear the first time for each After that, there is no problem. I'm just wondering if it's the cold acting on the fluid until it starts heating up. I haven't had this problem until this winter.

 

I have synthetic fluid in my 5 speed. If there is s difference in behavior, I find that the shifts are smoother with the synthetic than with the original fluid. I am assuming you used Mercon ATF fluid in the transmission. If not, there is the cause of your problem.

Another possibility - do you have any leakage from the shift rail plugs at the top rear of the tranny? If so, you are probably low on fluid. Its time for a refill and get the plugs replaced.

Let us know what you find.

 

I have no leakage, and the shifts are smoother. It's just hard in the cold and the first time I go into a certain gear. After that, everything is fine.

 

Mike, you might want to check the clutch fluid reservoir if you have not already done so.

 

what fluid do you use.

 

you should create a deatiled a profile of your vehicle.......
if you are taking about the MC fluid...........dot 3 on the older trucks and I think the newer ones are dot 4 It will say it on the clutch master cylinder cover.

 

what the heck are you talking about? The guy changed his transmission fluid and I asked him what fluid he used. What the heck does brake fluid have to do with this...

 

Greenpus. Mike told you in post #1 he used synthetic......... Post #4 was about checking the MC............ Your post #5 you asked about fluid. I thought you were referring to post #4.....since you had no profile of your rig I thought you were a noob............ My bad!.........I do suggest you ..... Lay off the Crack .

 

fyi= I have had mercon and mercon V in at different times. i noticed during the summer the mercon V seems to make the shifteting tougher. I have read other posts that said mercon V was the best period. i have pepboys cheap atf in there now since I changed my clutch at thanksgiving......it seems fine.
I think what "ranger pat" is thinking is maybe your MC or slave is acting up/leaking and not fully releasing the clutch.thus making it tough to shift...........

 

I'm running a custom blended full synthetic 75w80 from BND laboratory. BND Automotive LLC This meets and exceeds Fords specs for the manual transmission.
Once I get going and cycle through 1st and 2nd one time, everything runs smooth as silk. Again, it only happens when the outside temps drop into the lower teens/single digits.

I learned of BND laboratory from my Dodge Charger forum. I do runs his ACES IV through the Ranger, Charger and my Thunderbird. With the Ranger & Charger I get maybe 1 or 2 extra mpg's and the engines seem to run quieter. With the Thunderbird I get to bump my timing up a bit considering it's supposed to run on 100 octane.

 

This oil might be the cause of your orginal complaint. Ford recommends a Automatic Transmission Fluid for it's manual transmissions built in 2000. It's called Mercon ATF. Not Mercon V, that's for automatic transmissions built in 2000. Check your owners manual for proper transmission fluid. page 210.

 

I agree unfortunately Ford no longer makes Mercon and now recommends Mercon V in place of Mercon. You can replace Mercon with Mercon V but you can't replace Mercon V with Mercon.
I used Redline D4-ATF in my 2000 manual tranny and it works great in the winter months with easy shifting. I switched to Redline Manual fluid but it was too thick for winter shifting and I had to drain and reinstall D4-ATF to get my normal winter shifting back. I then tried Mobil 1 syn ATF which is Mercon compatible and that crap was a nightmare for my tranny. It shifted bad in the winter and even when the tranny was warm, it had a very hard notchy feel to it. I change my fluid in my tranny yearly and have been very happy with D4-ATF.

 

Thanks, looks like I'll be changing my fluid soon.