Transmission Cured

[FreeFlyFreak]

I stumbled across this thread a few weeks ago, and then lost it, took me forever to find it again so I am posting a link here so I can find the info I need in the future.
For anybody with tranny shifting woes, this seems like an easy thing to try.

Transmission Cured

I have driven over 500,000 miles in manual equipped vehicles. Never have I experienced a bigger POS than my MS3's transmission. I have had a 2nd to 3rd grind while flogging it since I bought the car new. I have installed a rear MM and Transmission mount, shifter bushings and it still grinded 3rd. I installed Amsoil MTG in the tranny @ 8K. A little smoother, but diff noise & still would grind 3rd. At 12k, I put in RedLine MT90. Grind was still there, but noise was a little less, but cold performance was worse. About 1k miles ago I installed Ford Manual Transaxle fluid # XT-M5-QS. I haven't experienced a grind Since. I actually have confidence that 3rd gear will engage smoothly everytime now. The transmission is a whole different animal now. It still isn't world class, but it's a million times better. Many have had luck with the MT90 and that's great for them. If you have a transmission with bad synchros and is difficult to live with, give the FORD fluid a try. It's been the best mod I've done by far.

I installed the Ford Synthetic and it made my MS3 borderline enjoyable to drive again

Just added this magic Motorcraft xt-m5-qs juice this week-end, mostly because of this post (and a few other confirming posts elsewhere) and I will just simply say: THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I can't say that enough. The difference in the shifting in my car is absolutely phenominal. And it's cold here and I just put it in. The thing is, this stuff is supposed to just get better and better up to 5000 miles. I honestly can't imagine that, as the difference this made in smooth shifting is really just incredible already. This is the best mod I've done yet. Again, sir... thank you!

And from a different site:

After sifting the web on the XT-M5-QS and finding out that it was doing well, I tried it. It is great! Shifting at any temp is excellent with the 1-2 gear grind a thing of the past. My trannie is virtually silent now which is assuring. It has been in my box for 8k miles so the stuff is no flash in the pan. Google XT-M5-QS and look for the Ford Chemicals web page and read about it. It was developed in Germany for some difficult shifting Getrag FWD boxes that Ford had in production.

Isnt our tranny a Getrag? think I remember reading that somewhere.

Anyway, in the past I didnt really have any specific "problem" but I can say my tranny has got worse as time has gone on.
Now in the colder weather it feels as if I have to "force" the car into each gear. I now have 20K miles on it, which is where the majority of the break-in/wear of the tranny occurs. I think I am just going to switch to this stuff and call it a day.

[dizzin9]

i don't have issues anymore besides the whining noise. i might give this ford fluid shit a try.

[felt]

Where can you buy this Ford fluid.

How much does it run for?

edit/ online for $15 a quart, not bad, but will the local dealer have it for less?

[meatball18]

i belive our trannys are made by AISIN i think. ill give this a shot when i get some more money. cold weather is just rediculous to shift into second

[bf360]

I do remember reading our trannies are getrag, mine grinds into second when cold and the complete second gear was just rebuilt 4000miles ago, even will pop out sometimes on downshifts with rev-matching which is also some bs

[SilverDemon]

I have never had a problem with 2 - 3 flat shift (no WOT box or AP), I changed mine to Amsoil 75w 90 at about 1500 miles, I now have about 26,000 miles on the car.

[wassup61]

Our transmission is an Aisin AI BG5(iirc). It has a simliar design as the getrag but uses 3 layshafts instead of 2. Its a bear of a trans, and XT M5 QS is the ONLY fluid that is up to the task. Add it straight, no Friction Modifiers, and enjoy the drive.

[802MS3]

hmmm 22k miles and never really any issue shifting. I will give this a shot though sometime soon.

[fjames]

I've been thinking of trying it next time I changed the fluid. I've had MT-90 in since a couple K miles and no shifting issues at all, and it's like butter once warmed up. Still, this stuff gets a lot of talk, so might try it.

Trouble is, people that like it had usually had shift issues, and past experience for me is that fluids that solve grinding problems tend to feel thick and slow if you don't.

Someone post up if they find it at a local dealer.

[shpankey]

Yup, this stuff is amazing. Hard to believe it makes that big of a difference, but it does. Love it!

[ilusch]

Originally Posted by wassup61 Our transmission is an Aisin AI BG5(iirc). It has a simliar design as the getrag but uses 3 layshafts instead of 2. Its a bear of a trans, and XT M5 QS is the ONLY fluid that is up to the task. Add it straight, no Friction Modifiers, and enjoy the drive.

We have a Aisin BG6 transmission!

Look here: Mazda3, Mazda6, CX7, ...
Specialist manufacturer of manual transmissions, Aisin AI

I must go to a Ford dealer here in germany i hope they sell it too, othervice i must order it from states.

But how much of the magic juice i need in the speed3?

[morgan2112]

So where can we get this stuff??
I have amsoil GL-4 in but it did not fix the 1st to 2nd resistance problem.
I wish Mother Mazda would do this as I am at/near the end of my warranty..

[SpdFreak]

Originally Posted by ilusch We have a Aisin BG6 transmission! Look here: Mazda3, Mazda6, CX7, ... Specialist manufacturer of manual transmissions, Aisin AI I must go to a Ford dealer here in germany i hope they sell it too, othervice i must order it from states. But how much of the magic juice i need in the speed3?

Approximately 2.6 US qts.

Word of advice, buy more than you need, because when you spill one qt, u'll be happy you have a spare.

[Fagwagon]

Heres the stuff

[2007speed3]

i have been using this fluid for the past 15k

Its is a great improvement over stock, but shifting into 2nd for the first time when cold is ROUGHHHHHH

Once the oil is warm she shift really really smooth.

The diff still wines when cold.

[Qwik6]

Sweet. I will have to give this stuff a shot.

[Design]

I've heard nothing but great things about Motorcraft synthetic MTF. I am one of the few who don't have a problem with the gearbox, but will gladly switch this out as part of my normal maintenance cycle.

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by ilusch We have a Aisin BG6 transmission! Look here: Mazda3, Mazda6, CX7, ... Specialist manufacturer of manual transmissions, Aisin AI I must go to a Ford dealer here in germany i hope they sell it too, othervice i must order it from states. But how much of the magic juice i need in the speed3?

So all these cars have the same transmission as the MS3?? I think this is for the regular 3 not the Speed3 unless of course it's a modified version. Wow, the 911 Carrera uses a transmission made by this company; SP6

Avensis
Corolla
Verso
Camry
Scion tC
RAV4
Mazda Motor Corporation
Mazda6
Mazda5
Mazda3
CX-7
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Eclipse
Grandis
Outlander
Rancer
Chrysler LLC
Dodge Caliber
Dodge Avenger
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
Chrysler Sebring

[wassup61]

We do use the Bg6 trans. Aisin AI is a large supplier of OEM trans parts.

[smakdown61]

The Ford/Motorcraft oil is made by Fuchs in Germany. Just a warning, it is NOT API GL-4 certified. It is recommended for gl-3 or gl-4 systems. Mazda may use this against you if you ever have a warranty claim for your tranny.

[Design]

Originally Posted by smakdown61 The Ford/Motorcraft oil is made by Fuchs in Germany. Just a warning, it is NOT API GL-4 certified. It is recommended for gl-3 or gl-4 systems. Mazda may use this against you if you ever have a warranty claim for your tranny.

How hard would it be for them to tell the difference? Technically, the tranny oil doesn't need to be swapped out during the powertrain warranty.

[BoostIsBetter]

how often do you guys recommend changing out the tranny fluid.


Funny note. Anytime you buy a BMW, they will tell you and stated in the manual that Tranny Fluid is A LIFETIME FLUID. So far my drag car, 98 318ti, auto has 240k miles and tranny fluid has never been changed. Just a funny heads up I think, depends on the company and what they put in.

For our car, how often do you guys think?

[boosted3]

my 2 gear also pops out wheni accelorate and pops out random,Does anyone know how much it will coast to fix it

[wassup61]

trans fluid should be changed every 30k , but i change coolant every 30k and oil every 2500 so i am anal.

2nd gear popping out is a worn gearset and requires reman of trans.

[Hectik1]

The fluid change does help (changed to Mobil 1), but the biggest help to changing gears is adjusting your shifter. That made a BIG difference.

[flyrevs2]

can you gets this at the dealers ?

[darth vader]

Yeah, at a Ford dealer but, get ready, they're gonna try to catch you from behind.

[Qwik6]

And from behind they did. 3 quarts came out to be 56 bucks!!! Changed the fluid. Keep in mind I was running amsoil before this. I didn't notice any improvement. If anything its harder to shift now. Waste of 60 bucks.

[darth vader]

I have Redline MT-90. It shifted OK as was but, the LS diff whine was driving me nuts so, I tossed in a bottle of ol' friction modifier fish oil from Ford. Since it shifts MUCH smoother and the whine is all but eliminated.

Up north here it's over 25 bucks a litre for the Ford synthetic MTF, lol

[flyrevs2]

Originally Posted by darth vader I have Redline MT-90. It shifted OK as was but, the LS diff whine was driving me nuts so, I tossed in a bottle of ol' friction modifier fish oil from Ford. Since it shifts MUCH smoother and the whine is all but eliminated. Up north here it's over 25 bucks a litre for the Ford synthetic MTF, lol

can you elaborate a bit on this "a bottle of ol' friction modifier fish oil from Ford." what is it ? part number ? thanks

[darth vader]

Any Ford technician/parts guy will know exactly what I am talking about. It's a little 4 oz bottle and it's is called "friction modifier". It is used in alot of ford's Trak Lok diffs from millions of cars in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Basically it makes gear lube a touch more slippery than usual, to reduce LSD chatter. It's called fish oil because it reeks like rotting fish. Costs a couple bucks, no more.

Ford Racing Performance Parts []

[dizzin9]

Originally Posted by Qwik6 And from behind they did. 3 quarts came out to be 56 bucks!!! Changed the fluid. Keep in mind I was running amsoil before this. I didn't notice any improvement. If anything its harder to shift now. Waste of 60 bucks.

phew. i was thinking about doing this.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Hmmmm, just read something VERY interesting in an article describing some of the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 MS3's:

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

After doing a little research it turns out the Gen 2 MS3 owners manual calls for GL-4 75W80,
The Gen 1 spec is 75W90, doesnt sound like much of a change, but if you look at the centistokes it is.
My guess is the 75W80 will work better in the gen 1 too, same gearbox AFAIK just slightly different gearing.
Low Viscosity Manual Transmission Lubricants:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/jbarge/MTF.htm

[08cosmic3]

Originally Posted by morgan2112 So where can we get this stuff?? I have amsoil GL-4 in but it did not fix the 1st to 2nd resistance problem. I wish Mother Mazda would do this as I am at/near the end of my warranty..

Motorcraft MTX-75 IB5 transmission fluid XT-M5-QS

I bought here. Good stuff.

[shpankey]

Originally Posted by Qwik6 And from behind they did. 3 quarts came out to be 56 bucks!!! Changed the fluid. Keep in mind I was running amsoil before this. I didn't notice any improvement. If anything its harder to shift now. Waste of 60 bucks.

Yikes dude. Amsoil is good shit, I don't think I would have done it with that in there. From stock fluid this stuff is amazing, but probably not a lot of difference from Amsoil.

Though I will say this... the Ford stuff supposedly doesn't really work its magic right away, especially when it's cold. It really comes alive in the heat and also just gets better and better over time. Some say you won't see the difference until AT LEAST 500 miles and then after a few thousand and continues to improve all the way to 5,000 miles after install. So give it time, I have no doubt you will see an improvement as you get more miles and especially when it heats up (summer). So don't feel like all is lost yet.

I seen the difference instantly, but I've had issues with my tranny and I changed out stock fluid.

[felt]

Originally Posted by 08cosmic3 Motorcraft MTX-75 IB5 transmission fluid XT-M5-QS I bought here. Good stuff.

Did you buy 3 or 20? Because on their site I see "There is a limit of 20 quarts per order due to shipping limitations"

[shpankey]

My speed 3 held a little over 3 quarts btw... but I think you would be fine with 3. Mine definitely held more than 2.6 though.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by shpankey My speed 3 held a little over 3 quarts btw... but I think you would be fine with 3. Mine definitely held more than 2.6 though.

Been hearing that a lot. Seems strange, OM says 2.6, Service manuall says 2.6 buy you guys are getting 3+ in it..... You are level right? not jacked up or anything?

[Qwik6]

Originally Posted by shpankey Yikes dude. Amsoil is good shit, I don't think I would have done it with that in there. From stock fluid this stuff is amazing, but probably not a lot of difference from Amsoil. Though I will say this... the Ford stuff supposedly doesn't really work its magic right away, especially when it's cold. It really comes alive in the heat and also just gets better and better over time. Some say you won't see the difference until AT LEAST 500 miles and then after a few thousand and continues to improve all the way to 5,000 miles after install. So give it time, I have no doubt you will see an improvement as you get more miles and especially when it heats up (summer). So don't feel like all is lost yet. I seen the difference instantly, but I've had issues with my tranny and I changed out stock fluid.

Thanks. I'll give it some time to break in.

[easy]

it will probably take more than 3 qts but that will be over the max fill ... i believe if u just stick your finger in there and u feel the fluid u should be ok ... if u have a service manual u will see what i mean. I put in 3qts but spilled a little so its close enough to 2.6 lol