transmission synthetic fluid question

[jmauld]

Can someone tell me what Redline fluid AND the part number of the Ford additive that people are using to change their tranny fluid to synthetic. The car will have about 10000 on it by the end of this weekend, and I am
thinking that it is time to make the switch.

Thanks

[ZX3 Rally]

bump

[vad]

What's the reason for changing?
RedLine's D4ATF(thin), MTL(thicker) or MT90(thick) could be used depending on your preference and ambient temps in your area.
Regarding the Ford additive. I think you meant friction modifier. You don't really need one with the RedLine fluids.
For more info go to http://www.redlineoil.com/products.htm

[teamDFL]

Redline is a superior product and far more resistant to temperature changes that any dtock fluid. I have good experiences with it in the past.

[vad]

I tryed both - the MTL and D4 ATF. The shift quality remained the same with the MTL and got worse with the D4 ATF in comparison to the stock fluid.

[silver_bullet]

I have to think there are some major production variations in the MTX75 transaxle - some people (like me) have a nice, quiet 'box, others say theirs sounds like a its full of loose metal. Redline D4 ATF made my transaxle shift noticeably smoother - especially in cold weather.

[vad]

Right on Silver. The fluid change by itself doesn't guarantee any change. My MTX-75 is the biggest POS 5-speed tranny I've ever encountered. Synthetic fluid by no means will "fix" the poor design/assembly quality the MTX-75 is known for. On the other hand your better-assembled unit may show a dramatic improvement.

[FordFociSHO]

[owzthat]

Part # C8AZ-19B546-A. Friction additive. $4.95

[vad]

<<<just so you know the fluid used in the foci trannys is already synthetic, auto and manual both.>>>
Where do you get this info??????????

[teamDFL]

Well, I put in Redline D4 ATF, and the car does seem to shift smoother. It is most noticeable on quick downshifts and when cool. I did not use the friction modifier, as Redline says it product does not require it.
use in both manual and automatic trannies, while the regular ATF is not. MTL, I believe is not a Mercon fluid, as specified by Ford.
I hope the guys at Redline don't get pissed at me for stealing stuff off their website, but I am a big fan so here is what they have to say:

Red Line MTL may be used in transmissions which recommend 70W, 75W, 80W, or 85W GL-4 gear oils, or SAE 30 or 5W/10W30 motor oils. If a 90W GL-4 or SAE 40, 10W40, or 15W40 is required, MT-90 may be used. If the transmission or transaxle requires an SAE 90 GL-5 gear oil, then Red Line 75W90NS or 75W140NS Gear Oil may be used. In transmissions which recommend Dexron or Mercon fluids we recommend our D4 ATF which is very similar to the MTL, being a GL-4 Gear Oil also. The D4 ATF will provide better low-temperature shiftability, and the MTL would provide better wear protection for racing use.

As for the MTX-75 being a POS, don't start. It has a reputation for strength and longevity in Europe (where it has been used for quite a while) and if you are willing to sacrifice a little bit on the noise front, it will most likely provide years of service. Fluid can indeed affect shifting action, and while the MTX-75 may have some issues and not be perfect, I think calling it a POS is unfair. It is very similar to a Getrag box in its operation and idiosyncries. You will see what I mean when the SVT comes out with it's Getrag box.


------------------
Rich
teamDFL...Just Run It
www.teamdfl.com

[This message has been edited by teamDFL (edited 05-30-2001).]

[ZX3er]

I'm own automatic and I like it.
But I remember when first manual owners were really entusiastic about MTX-75 and everybody were saying how smooth and good it was while now almost everyone is P.O.S.ing it.
Is MTX-75 loosing it's performance so quick?

[Sartre]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FordFociSHO:
just so you know the fluid used in the foci trannys is already synthetic, auto and manual both.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WEll, it's really a synthetic blend, with additives.

[vad]

Well, I know nothing about the trannys installed in the Europe-only Mondeos. They're being built at a different factory, by different assemblers and out of a different parts bin. I just want to know why the N.A. ones exhibit "major production variations" as silver bullet politely stated.
Any thoughts?

[wmudavey]

I have had 2 MTX 75s and they were both awesome. one was on a 96 contour gl back in high school.

------------------
2001 ZX3
Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue
Mods to my company car:
Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod.
That will be about it...I don't own it!

[ZX3er]

again, Ford-N.A. is different than Ford-Europe.
Slopy assembly and overall parts quality are something normal here where Ford has to be cheap first than anything else.
Sad but true, again!

[vad]

As for the MTX 75 being POS, check out the contour board. They constantly complain about the syncro problems (especially about the third gear ones), hard shifting, noises etc.
BTW it seems that the latest MTX-75 are having even more problems than of the earlier designs. http://contour.org/cgi/ultimatebb.cg...c&f=3&t=002839

[ZX3er]

MTX 75 with a few design improvements is used in fantastic new Mondeo in europe, and that car is by far the best car Ford ever build/designed.

[silver_bullet]

Maybe there's a business opportunity here for someone - one of you folks in Europe or the U.K. want to look into starting a salvage yard/export business? Send us your clean, low-mileage engines and trannies (and better seats, and more interesting wheels, and nicer bumpers, and... )

[ZX3er]

silver_bullet,sounds like a good idea.

[ZX3er]

lubegard Automatic Transmission Protectant works!
My automatic with it shifts faster and smoother , trany is much quieter and cooler.
My millage should improve as well.
lubegard.com

[brian]

I have the D4ATF in my MTX-75 and it does make a difference, but my tranny is still not anywhere near as smooth as I want it to be. My 1st and 2nd gear synchros are sticky (especially in cold weather) and the Ford dealers are telling me that all manuals are like this, when I know from experience that Honda, Saturn, and Toyota manuals are NOT like this. This is the one single issue that causes me to think about trading in the Focus and I really wish that I could get one of these silky smooth MTX-75s that people claim exist.

[PsiSapper]

I am not the mechanics expert, but I lived in Germany for 3 years and drove a few different cars. I once drove a fiesta from Bavaria to England. This little car was smooth in all aspects. But the transmission you could shift with just your finger and it would smoothly move into the next gear. I dont know what transmission they use but it is nothing like the focus's, at least it feels completly different.

[typ44q]

well as far as NA and europe parts, the tranny in my ZX3 is made in Germany according to the window sticker, so I am guessing that they are all made there regardless of where the car is sold.

[Stephen_Simcik]

I must have gotten the best Focus built according to how some of you all trashed Ford's quality. My transmission shifts as smooth as silk, and there is no vibration in the shift knob. The only problems that I have had with my car is one of the fog lights was faulty, and I have a weird popping noise in my front suspension in cold weather when I go over speed bumps. I have 21562 miles on my car, and will replace the fluid with mobil 1 ATF soon.