30wt oil instead of Dexron?
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Austin, TX
30wt oil instead of Dexron?
I just purchased a used 95 Ranger with manual tranny. The mobile mechanic who checked it out suggested filling the tranny with straight 30 weight oil or with gear oil instead of Dexron. His reasoning was that Dexron is more of a thin hydraulic oil used due to tight tranny tolerances. It, however, does not lubricate, leading to a worn or imprecice shifting manual transmission as the miles pile on. Any info/opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Cloud USA
30wt oil instead of Dexron?
The only thing with motor oil, It may be too slippery and cause more syncro wear. I would use a good transmission oil, its made for gears. Motor oil is made for motors. Also regular motor oil may leave deposits, gumming up your tranny. Tranny fluid has really good anti-foaming properties too. I had my ZF-5Speed rebuilt and the guy told me to change the fluid every 20,000 miles and it will last forever.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
30wt oil instead of Dexron?
If the mechanic will guarantee in writing and has road tests to prove it works, and you really believe him, go right ahead.
Or if you are not sure I would listen to what a manufacturer who spent millions of dollars, millions of miles and what the oil maker who also spent milions of dollars, tell you to use. They have a lot more to risk than your mechanic. They have millions of customers who would scream bloddy murder if the ATF they used blew up their trannies before the warranty was up. SOme warranties are upto 100,000 niles so I assume Dexron, Mercon etc are up to the task they are specified for.
Motor oil is wonderful stuff and might work just fine for your application. ATF isn't a very good lube but your tranny is really a hydraulic device. The tranny also has vastly different stresses than engine oil and must handle different problems that engine oil was designed for.
Use motor oil in motors and ATF in trannies. Most likely you will be quite satisfied. Most troubles I have found are caused by me abusing machinery or not reading the fing manual.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Or if you are not sure I would listen to what a manufacturer who spent millions of dollars, millions of miles and what the oil maker who also spent milions of dollars, tell you to use. They have a lot more to risk than your mechanic. They have millions of customers who would scream bloddy murder if the ATF they used blew up their trannies before the warranty was up. SOme warranties are upto 100,000 niles so I assume Dexron, Mercon etc are up to the task they are specified for.
Motor oil is wonderful stuff and might work just fine for your application. ATF isn't a very good lube but your tranny is really a hydraulic device. The tranny also has vastly different stresses than engine oil and must handle different problems that engine oil was designed for.
Use motor oil in motors and ATF in trannies. Most likely you will be quite satisfied. Most troubles I have found are caused by me abusing machinery or not reading the fing manual.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
