is synthetic ATF any good?

Eli

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Oct 9, 1999
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It's going to have many of the same benefits as synthetic engine oil.

Better fluidity, less volatile, less friction, longer life, high temperature stability...

Is it worth it? IMO, yes.. since you don't change your ATF every 3k miles. It could significantly extend your AT's life.

 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: rbloedow
Now, do they make synthetic Manual transmission fluid? :)
Of course. Again, same main benefits as synthetic engine oil.
 

Insane3D

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May 24, 2000
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A good deal of manual transmissions these days take ATF. The trusty old Borg Warner T-5 in my Mustang takes ATF, and I have been using Mobil 1 for years. Mobil 1 in the engine, tranny, and differential. :)
 

Eli

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Originally posted by: Insane3D
A good deal of manual transmissions these days take ATF. The trusty old Borg Warner T-5 in my Mustang takes ATF, and I have been using Mobil 1 for years. Mobil 1 in the engine, tranny, and differential. :)
Really?

I thought most manual transmissions used(for example) 75W-90 gear lube...

ATF seems pretty damn thin to be used in a manual... :Q
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Originally posted by: Eli
It's going to have many of the same benefits as synthetic engine oil.

Better fluidity, less volatile, less friction, longer life, high temperature stability...

Is it worth it? IMO, yes.. since you don't change your ATF every 3k miles. It could significantly extend your AT's life.


Does more fluidity and less friction translate to more slippage in the torque converter?

The main reason I'm thinking synthetic ATF is that it takes high temperatures better. It's almost summer, I live in a hot, inland part of socal and I drive lead footed sometimes.



 

Insane3D

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May 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Insane3D
A good deal of manual transmissions these days take ATF. The trusty old Borg Warner T-5 in my Mustang takes ATF, and I have been using Mobil 1 for years. Mobil 1 in the engine, tranny, and differential. :)
Really?

I thought most manual transmissions used(for example) 75W-90 gear lube...

ATF seems pretty damn thin to be used in a manual... :Q

It depends. It seems that most OD manual trannies take ATF. Some of the older types take the 75W-90 gear lube. In the case of the T-5 in the Mustangs, they take ATF as specified by Ford. If I am not mistaken, even the newer ones with the T-45 (I think) take ATF. :)
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Eli
It's going to have many of the same benefits as synthetic engine oil.

Better fluidity, less volatile, less friction, longer life, high temperature stability...

Is it worth it? IMO, yes.. since you don't change your ATF every 3k miles. It could significantly extend your AT's life.


Does more fluidity and less friction translate to more slippage in the torque converter?

The main reason I'm thinking synthetic ATF is that it takes high temperatures better. It's almost summer, I live in a hot, inland part of socal and I drive lead footed sometimes.
No.. It's specifically designed for ATFs, it actually makes clutch engagement smoother, and extends the life of the clutch packs and plates.

 

LordUnum

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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Heard good things about Redline Synthetic ATF. The peeps on the BMW forums I visit seem to rave about it.

I personally have no experience with any synthetic ATF. Whatever does the job is fine... except when it comes to my car. I'll probably go with Redline myself when I change the "lifetime" manual tranny fluid. ;)
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Eli
It's going to have many of the same benefits as synthetic engine oil.

Better fluidity, less volatile, less friction, longer life, high temperature stability...

Is it worth it? IMO, yes.. since you don't change your ATF every 3k miles. It could significantly extend your AT's life.


Does more fluidity and less friction translate to more slippage in the torque converter?

The main reason I'm thinking synthetic ATF is that it takes high temperatures better. It's almost summer, I live in a hot, inland part of socal and I drive lead footed sometimes.
No.. It's specifically designed for ATFs, it actually makes clutch engagement smoother, and extends the life of the clutch packs and plates.
I used Redline ATF for a while, then back to regular non-synthetic one. No problem with synthetic, just costs too much. I have a tranny cooler. I think before you go and spend whatever you do on synthetic ATF, you should first spend 50 bucks and get a auto tranny cooler (like Hayden).
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Originally posted by: SuperTool

I used Redline ATF for a while, then back to regular non-synthetic one. No problem with synthetic, just costs too much. I have a tranny cooler. I think before you go and spend whatever you do on synthetic ATF, you should first spend 50 bucks and get a auto tranny cooler (like Hayden).

I definitely have a tranny cooler in mind. Supposedly the domestic community has aftermarket tranny coolers that are the size of turbo intercoolers. :D

 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: SuperTool

I used Redline ATF for a while, then back to regular non-synthetic one. No problem with synthetic, just costs too much. I have a tranny cooler. I think before you go and spend whatever you do on synthetic ATF, you should first spend 50 bucks and get a auto tranny cooler (like Hayden).

I definitely have a tranny cooler in mind. Supposedly the domestic community has aftermarket tranny coolers that are the size of turbo intercoolers. :D

You can get them in variety of sizes. It goes in front of your radiator, so if you get one too big, it will reduce the effectiveness of your radiator somewhat.
But a reasonable sized one should be no problem. Whatever it is is going to be bigger than the stock tranny cooler, so you will double or better the cooling.
It's pretty easy to install, just tie the cooler to the radiator with special zip ties, then connect it in series with the original cooler with the provided hoses and clamps.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Originally posted by: SuperTool

You can get them in variety of sizes. It goes in front of your radiator, so if you get one too big, it will reduce the effectiveness of your radiator somewhat.
But a reasonable sized one should be no problem. Whatever it is is going to be bigger than the stock tranny cooler, so you will double or better the cooling.
It's pretty easy to install, just tie the cooler to the radiator with special zip ties, then connect it in series with the original cooler with the provided hoses and clamps.

Yeah I've read up on the application and install of tranny coolers for a while now. Alot of accord V6 enthusiasts have one installed because it helps their tranny life.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: SuperTool

I used Redline ATF for a while, then back to regular non-synthetic one. No problem with synthetic, just costs too much. I have a tranny cooler. I think before you go and spend whatever you do on synthetic ATF, you should first spend 50 bucks and get a auto tranny cooler (like Hayden).

I definitely have a tranny cooler in mind. Supposedly the domestic community has aftermarket tranny coolers that are the size of turbo intercoolers. :D

I have one the size of a large intercooler.
 

boggsie

Platinum Member
Mar 31, 2000
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Originally posted by: LordUnum
Heard good things about Redline Synthetic ATF. The peeps on the BMW forums I visit seem to rave about it.

I would have to guess that they rave because it's ~$8 per bottle.
rolleye.gif


j/k;)
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I would use AMSOil's synthetic ATF fluids. Too lazy to compare their prices to Redlines.

IMO, price it isn't such a big deal as with engine oil since you don't change your tranny fluid nearly as often.

I would go all out and use synthetic and an ATF cooler. :)

Do they make ATF filters?
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: Eli
I would use AMSOil's synthetic ATF fluids. Too lazy to compare their prices to Redlines.

IMO, price it isn't such a big deal as with engine oil since you don't change your tranny fluid nearly as often.

I would go all out and use synthetic and an ATF cooler. :)

Do they make ATF filters?

Umm... yeah.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Millennium
Originally posted by: Eli
I would use AMSOil's synthetic ATF fluids. Too lazy to compare their prices to Redlines.

IMO, price it isn't such a big deal as with engine oil since you don't change your tranny fluid nearly as often.

I would go all out and use synthetic and an ATF cooler. :)

Do they make ATF filters?

Umm... yeah.
Were you answering my ATF filter question?

I've never seen one, but I've never looked, so I was just asking.

I know that many AT's have a screen at the pickup tube, but that's not what I meant by filter.. I meant a filter a'la an engine oil filter.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Millennium
Originally posted by: Eli
I would use AMSOil's synthetic ATF fluids. Too lazy to compare their prices to Redlines.

IMO, price it isn't such a big deal as with engine oil since you don't change your tranny fluid nearly as often.

I would go all out and use synthetic and an ATF cooler. :)

Do they make ATF filters?

Umm... yeah.
Were you answering my ATF filter question?

I've never seen one, but I've never looked, so I was just asking.

I know that many AT's have a screen at the pickup tube, but that's not what I meant by filter.. I meant a filter a'la an engine oil filter.

Yes, I was answering your question. Any Auto I have ever changed the fluid on had both a screen and filter. The screen is just for the larger particles. The filter is the lifesaver of any auto that sees stress or consistent driving.

The break-in period on my lentech is 100 miles. After a hundred miles you drain it, flush the whole system(including the cooler), new filter and fluid.
 

boggsie

Platinum Member
Mar 31, 2000
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Millennium
Originally posted by: Eli
I would use AMSOil's synthetic ATF fluids. Too lazy to compare their prices to Redlines.

IMO, price it isn't such a big deal as with engine oil since you don't change your tranny fluid nearly as often.

I would go all out and use synthetic and an ATF cooler. :)

Do they make ATF filters?

Umm... yeah.
Were you answering my ATF filter question?

I've never seen one, but I've never looked, so I was just asking.

I know that many AT's have a screen at the pickup tube, but that's not what I meant by filter.. I meant a filter a'la an engine oil filter.

There is almost always a filter in the pan. However, when you add an external cooler, it is worth considering a filter in the lines going to the cooler. I am not saying that it doesn't exist, but I have never seen a can-type (oil) filter in/on a factory transmission.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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Originally posted by: boggsie
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Millennium
Originally posted by: Eli
I would use AMSOil's synthetic ATF fluids. Too lazy to compare their prices to Redlines.

IMO, price it isn't such a big deal as with engine oil since you don't change your tranny fluid nearly as often.

I would go all out and use synthetic and an ATF cooler. :)

Do they make ATF filters?

Umm... yeah.
Were you answering my ATF filter question?

I've never seen one, but I've never looked, so I was just asking.

I know that many AT's have a screen at the pickup tube, but that's not what I meant by filter.. I meant a filter a'la an engine oil filter.

There is almost always a filter in the pan. However, when you add an external cooler, it is worth considering a filter in the lines going to the cooler. I am not saying that it doesn't exist, but I have never seen a can-type (oil) filter in/on a factory transmission.
Yeah, no.. that's not what I meant, not stock.. I meant an external filter that would be used to additionally filter the fluid as it came into or left the ATF cooler.