Manual transmission fluid?

[Saabstealth]

Im aware the manual says not to change it, but what do you all recommend and what are your experiences with it? Thanks..

[TXSaturn02]

The manual does NOT say not to change it. It states, "no maintenance required".

I have 171,431 miles on my SL2 manual transmission and have never changed the transmission fluid and don't plan to. It still shifts the same as when new.

Others will give varying opinions.

[PurdueGuy]

You don't have to change it, you probably don't need to change it, but you certainly can change it, and some people have reported smoother shifting after changing it.

Your call, it's not likely to make a difference in the longevity of your Saturn.

[mattwithcats]

Change manual transmission fluid every 100K or so...

Otherwise you risk breaking a valve stem....

Both manual and autos used to be "fill for life", not anymore...

Use a Dex III, not a Dex VI.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by mattwithcats

Change manual transmission fluid every 100K or so...

Otherwise you risk breaking a valve stem....

Both manual and autos used to be "fill for life", not anymore...

Use a Dex III, not a Dex VI.

....what? as far as I know, all S-series 1991-2002 were not fill for life on the auto-tragics. Manuals, most likely though. and what valve stem?

and unless the fluid can go for MANY miles/years by default from the factory (think over 10 years and WELL over 100k miles or so), fill for life for any kind of oil/fluid is a dumb statement IMHO. all it means is "hey it'll last for 100k or whatever miles so then you can trade it in"

other than that, +1 to using dex III; most board members use Amsol fluid for Allison transmissions, or some other synthetic.

[2NDSOUT]

If an automatic transmission on an S-Series was "Fill for Life".. then why do parts stores stock auto trans filters?

That's just not the right information... saying that autos are "Fill for Life"...

If memory serves me... it states in the saturn manual that for manual transmssions, a change of the fluid at the first 6,000 miles is suggested and then after that, it should be good. For automatic trans- I believe the interval is every 30,000 miles.

Remember that there are not as many moving parts in a manual trans as there are in an automatic. Hence, there is also a different amount of fluid required. The manual trans only requires a little over 3 quarts, while the automatic requires approx. 7 quarts.

[alordofchaos]

Originally Posted by 2NDSOUT

it states in the saturn manual that for manual transmssions, a change of the fluid at the first 6,000 miles is suggested and then after that, it should be good.

My '98 owner's manual has the 6k change mentined. My 2001 owner's manual does not, so somewhere in between, Saturn dropped the change.

For automatic trans- I believe the interval is every 30,000 miles.

30k if using Dex III in the auto, 60k if using the official Saturn ATF

I noticed a change when I went from the factory fill to mobil 1 synthetic ATF on my 5 spd at roughly 110k miles, did not notice a change when I went to Dexron/Mercon (had an axle change in there), and next fill will probably be Transynd

[Nels]

Back to the original question --
The manual transmission is not as fussy about needing the oil changed as an automatic would be, but I did change mine because it had over 125K on it. I used Castrol Transynd synthetic just because I had a case of it here. Maybe it's my imagination, but I feel like it has been shifting smoother, particularly in the winter cold.

Be sure not to overfill it. Doesn't take much . . . .

[Saabstealth]

Mine is a 93 Sl1, and shifting is a little iffy. So I am considering getting it changed.

[PurdueGuy]

Originally Posted by Saabstealth

Mine is a 93 Sl1, and shifting is a little iffy. So I am considering getting it changed.

It's about the easiest DIY job there is, and a job that I could see many shops gouging on. You remove one bolt (drain plug), let the fluid run out, put it back in, remove the trans dipstick, stick a funnel in the top, and fill it. It's easier than an oil change.

[SLCraig]

Change it. You have nothing to lose.
Use Amsoil ATF and you will not be disappointed, especially in cold weather (if that applies to you)

[mattwithcats]

I meant transmission valve body...

[simkid5614]

I'm running Mobil synthetic, on an MP3 trans, it helps cut down some of the gear noise, I wish I had the eco tranny.

[brags]

No such thing as ( Long Life Transmission oil ) if there was they would have
one for Your engine." LOL ... so called Life Long fluids from manufacture,dealers are diceaving and meant to distroy your engine or tranny so You buy another car DONT.! Fall for them.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by brags

No such thing as ( Long Life Transmission oil ) if there was they would have
one for Your engine." LOL ... so called Life Long fluids from manufacture,dealers are diceaving and meant to distroy your engine or tranny so You buy another car DONT.! Fall for them.

...didn't I just say something like that earlier?

[Sega|Saturn]

Helpful information in here for sure. I checked my fluid at work earlier and realized it was a pint low [according to the dipstick] which would [i'm hoping] explain the notchy shifting, especially the need for more pressure to get in first from a stop *correct me if i'm wrong here*. I'm not sure what kind of fluid my car has now, but i'm planning to top it off with some Dexron III. With no wishes to threadjack,

I have a quick question though. With the variable city climate in New York City [Manhattan specifically, so ad in the occasional stop and go traffic], say, the lowest can be ~5º, highest can be ~100º, what kind of fluid would you guys recommend [and while i'm at it...what weight oil would you recommend? 5w30 is fine to continue using?]

[Luthin]

+1 to the Castrol Transynd...3,000 miles into my new change and loving it! I'll never use another tranny fluid in my Saturn again...

Plus -- some on here contend that filling an autotragic with Transynd is indeed fill for life. I still plan on changing mine at 30k though.

[OldNuc]

Originally Posted by Sega|Saturn

Helpful information in here for sure. I checked my fluid at work earlier and realized it was a pint low [according to the dipstick] which would [i'm hoping] explain the notchy shifting, especially the need for more pressure to get in first from a stop *correct me if i'm wrong here*. I'm not sure what kind of fluid my car has now, but i'm planning to top it off with some Dexron III. With no wishes to threadjack,

I have a quick question though. With the variable city climate in New York City [Manhattan specifically, so ad in the occasional stop and go traffic], say, the lowest can be ~5º, highest can be ~100º, what kind of fluid would you guys recommend [and while i'm at it...what weight oil would you recommend? 5w30 is fine to continue using?]

The correct cold level for the manual trans is in the center of the crosshatch, not the top. As to fluid the Torque-Drive or Transynd is the way to go. Will outlast the car.

[OldNuc]

Originally Posted by Luthin

+1 to the Castrol Transynd...3,000 miles into my new change and loving it! I'll never use another tranny fluid in my Saturn again...

Plus -- some on here contend that filling an autotragic with Transynd is indeed fill for life. I still plan on changing mine at 30k though.

Are you running this in an automatic? If so when you change at 30,000 miles pull a sample and that will confirm the possible 150,000+ mile service life with periodic filter changes at 30,000. Would be worth the $30.00 the sample analysis costs.

[Luthin]

Originally Posted by OldNuc

Are you running this in an automatic? If so when you change at 30,000 miles pull a sample and that will confirm the possible 150,000+ mile service life with periodic filter changes at 30,000. Would be worth the $30.00 the sample analysis costs.

Yep - I love the shifting in my autotragic now thanks to Transynd (and a new valve body). I'd been considering having a sample analysis done, but don't know where they're done around here. I suppose I could try the heavy truck place where I bought the Transynd from, as I'm sure they must routinely test their truck oils?