stiff transmission when cold

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Mar 15, 2004 | 09:57 AM

jim__r1

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stiff transmission when cold

hello all.

my manual transmission (5 speed overdrive) is a little stiff when cold, especially when shifting from first to second. it was really bad in the cold weather, I often had to double-clutch to get into 2nd gear, but it is still a little stiff (hard to throw in and sometimes get a grinding noise) even now that the weather has broken. once I drive it a bit the problem goes away. any ideas? would a change of transmission oil help? what is the recommended fluid for this transmission, and is there a friction reducer that can be used with it?

thanks in advance.

jimr

1990 F150 4.9L 5 speed manual

Mar 15, 2004 | 05:20 PM

steell

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From: Indiana

It's supposed to have ATF in the trans. If someone put gear oil in there, it would sure be hard to shift when it was cold.

Mar 15, 2004 | 05:39 PM

Talyn

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Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Ashland City, TN

Naw. Gear oil fine for shifting.

They just used a non synthetic, or to heavy of a weighted oil.

Mar 16, 2004 | 10:53 AM

jimandmandy

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Joined: Jun 2001

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From: Running Springs CA

Try Mobil 1 ATF. Friction modifier is NOT what you want. It will cause the syncros to work even slower and lead to grinding.

Jim

Mar 16, 2004 | 12:34 PM

Talyn

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From: Ashland City, TN

he's probably got m5od.
They suck period.

I run 10w30 in mine, no problems except when its like 0 degreeze out side, thenyou can't even shift it into first that well.

Mar 16, 2004 | 06:54 PM

jessfactor

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: philly pa

Re: stiff transmission when cold

Quote:

Originally posted by jim__r1
my manual transmission (5 speed overdrive) is a little stiff when cold, especially when shifting from first to second.

thats because its cold. tranny fluid is like any liquid. it flows smoother when its warmed up. it wont warm up very much ideling, but after you drive around for a while it should be a little smoother. your engine oil does the same thing, but its harder to notice and it warms up faster. i just changes my tranny fluid (M5OD) and i threw mobil 1 ATF. its 6 bucks a qt and you need 4 qts to do the job, but you dont have to do it very ofter so its better to use top of the line. it made the cold shifts a little smoother for me.