My 2002 Ranger with 3.0/5 sp.manual is just a tad tough to shift on cold mornings. Has anyone tried M1 ATF in a manual? Could you tell a difference? My tranny calls for Mercon ATF and the M1 meets this spec.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Dec-02 AT 01:18 AM (EST)]

Mikemc - I don't see how you could lose on this one.

No, I have not tried M1 ATF in a manual, however ...

in spite of the "spirited" debate(s) on synthetic "motor"-oil, I can't recall many (rather any) on synth. trans fluids.

I believe it is agreed, even among "dino" "loyalists" that synth (oils/fluids) have (at least, MAYBE at most) superior cold temp. properties, in addition to extended interval capabilities. Being a sorta' "Low-Tech" kinda' guy, I can't, maybe choose not to, get into all the technical data stuff (well anyway it's late and I'm tired - sorry).

I'm guessing you have somewhere around, what, 15-20 thousand miles service on your trans and a change-out, of any type that meets specs wouldn't hurt (though, I am thinking automatic now - I believe a manual has a longer interval), though still, an early 1st change could only be a good thing, right? Especially since tranny intervals ARE longer (I've NEVER known anyone to change more often than once-a-year/every 15,000 miles - though I'm sure Pro-Racers do!).

If you are going to change anyway, and your manual calls for Mercon ATF, M1 certainly meets (or does it exceed?) that spec. - why not.

I truly believe you'll find a difference (if only slight) w/ a synth. on cold shifting. If not, and you were going to change anyway what have you lost - certainly not anything worse for wear.

If you can afford any price differential - I say "thumbs-UP"!

Sounds like a "win-win" scenario to me.

Let us know - and/or at least you have one "opinion"!

Best, Glenn . . .

 

I searched websites and found the following viscosity information:

Mobil 1 synthetic ATF

viscosity at 100 degress C - 7.6 cST
viscosity at 40 degress C - 35 cP
viscosity at -20 degress C - 850 cP
viscosity at -40 degress C - 6200 cP

Amsoil synthetic ATF

viscosity at 100 degress C - 7.5 cST
viscosity at 40 degress C - 36 cP
viscosity at -20 degress C - 1030 cP
viscosity at -40 degress C - 7150 cP

Redline synthetic ATF

viscosity at 100 degress C - 7.2 cST
viscosity at 40 degress C - 32.5 cP
viscosity at -40 degress C - 4500 cP

Valvoline dino ATF

viscosity at 100 degress C - 7.7 cST
viscosity at 40 degress C - 36.1 cP
viscosity at -20 degress C - 1300 cP
viscosity at -40 degress C - 17,500 cP

You have to start getting prety cold to see a significant viscosity difference, but dino is thicker in the cold.

I decided to go with Mobil 1 because I tow, and i think that synthetics will take the heat better without cooking.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Dec-02 AT 10:21 AM (EST)]I have personal experience with this and I can honestly tell you that changing to M1 ATF in your 2002 tranny WILL NOT change your shifting on cold mornings. I have tried several different syn ATF fluids in my manual and nothing helps. In my opinion I believe MERCON ATF shifts better then the others. I am currently using REDLINE D4 ATF and I still believe MERCON ATF shifts better then that.

>My 2002 Ranger with 3.0/5 sp.manual is just a tad tough to
>shift on cold mornings. Has anyone tried M1 ATF in a manual?
>Could you tell a difference? My tranny calls for Mercon ATF
>and the M1 meets this spec.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Dec-02 AT 06:49 PM (EST)]>I have personal experience with this and I can honestly tell
>you that changing to M1 ATF in your 2002 tranny WILL NOT
>change your shifting on cold mornings. I have tried several
>different syn ATF fluids in my manual and nothing helps. In
>my opinion I believe MERCON ATF shifts better then the
>others. I am currently using REDLINE D4 ATF and I still
>believe MERCON ATF shifts better then that.
>

Greenpus - greatly appreciate & respect your experience, and 'honesty', well that's a virtue!

I'll consider myself enlightened (& thanks to jschira as well!) - it's actually good (GREAT!) to know "plain-vanilla" (& less $$ !) Mercon is doing as well, in fact it sounds like a better job, than the GREAT "straight" (mighty?!?) synth.

Two questions -
1. Are we talking Motorcraft Mercon, or another brand (?)

And-ah 2., how "cold" are we talkin' - where do you "shift" (live/drive), and/or what do the ambient or average "cold" temps run where you're speakin' from - just curious (hungry for education), not lookin' to scrap!

Regards - Glenn . . .

 

<<<And-ah 2., how "cold" are we talkin' - where do you "shift" (live/drive), and/or what do the ambient or average "cold" temps run where you're speakin' from - just curious (hungry for education), not lookin' to scrap!>>> I live in KY and we have had several mornings in the teens this winter. BTW the truck has a little over 11K miles so it should be considered broken in.

 

i just put M1 in my 99 4.2 tranny and it definitely feels a bit more slick shifting in tucson, az. (in a colder clime you'd probably notice more difference.) HOWEVER, the old oil was overdue for changing, so maybe the syn shouldn't get all the credit for the improvement i noticed.