LS3 manual trans fluid change - less noise, etc?

[honeybucket99]

Changed my m6 fluid today. Put in RP Synchromax. The bump, bump feeling changing gears that the GM Tech said was normal is all but gone...wish I had changed this out a 1000 miles ago.

[RandyB]

I see many are recommending the Royal Purple Synchromax for the M6. About 3-4 weeks ago, I spent $150 to change my oil, trans and diff fluids all to Royal Purple (price of fluid only - did it myself).

I tried this because I was having trouble with nibble (slight grind) going into 2nd and 3rd gears. The Tremec 6060 is known for this trouble when cold and I live in KC where it has been very cold since Thanksgiving. With the RP Synchromax, I noticed a slight improvement in the smoothness of shifting, but not what I was hoping for. Today I decided to try something else, so I drained the RP and put in Mobil1 Synthetic ATF (this is DexIII, not DexVI, so it is the right stuff). I am very happy to say that my shifting problems are now gone. So, if you want to spend big and get a small improvement, then get RP...If you want to spend less and get a big improvement, then get Mobil1 Synthetic ATF.

To prove I am not a Mobil1 fanboy and have nothing against RP products, I will also report on the RP gear oil: I had the dealer change the diff fluid at 1500 miles and as soon as I pulled out of the dealership, I noticed how much louder the rear end was. I was standing next to the mechanic as he was adding the fluid and I believe the way he filled it was the problem. He added the gear oil until it was full and flowing out of the fill hole. Then he opened the small bottle of additive and squirted it in. Of course the additive just ran back out because the diff was already full. I went back to the dealer and they said they completed the work and would only do it again if I paid for it. They claimed the rear end noise was normal. I will not go back to that dealer. Anyway...I put the Royal Purple 75W90 gear oil in and the rear end is now smooth and quiet.

[TommyTSquared]

What was the price difference between the RP and the Mobil1? Is there any problem with the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) being used in a manual, or is the Mobil1 compatible for both?

[Stingr69]

Originally Posted by RandyB

I see many are recommending the Royal Purple Synchromax for the M6. About 3-4 weeks ago, I spent $150 to change my oil, trans and diff fluids all to Royal Purple (price of fluid only - did it myself).

I tried this because I was having trouble with nibble (slight grind) going into 2nd and 3rd gears. The Tremec 6060 is known for this trouble when cold and I live in KC where it has been very cold since Thanksgiving. With the RP Synchromax, I noticed a slight improvement in the smoothness of shifting, but not what I was hoping for. Today I decided to try something else, so I drained the RP and put in Mobil1 Synthetic ATF (this is DexIII, not DexVI, so it is the right stuff). I am very happy to say that my shifting problems are now gone. So, if you want to spend big and get a small improvement, then get RP...If you want to spend less and get a big improvement, then get Mobil1 Synthetic ATF.

To prove I am not a Mobil1 fanboy and have nothing against RP products, I will also report on the RP gear oil: I had the dealer change the diff fluid at 1500 miles and as soon as I pulled out of the dealership, I noticed how much louder the rear end was. I was standing next to the mechanic as he was adding the fluid and I believe the way he filled it was the problem. He added the gear oil until it was full and flowing out of the fill hole. Then he opened the small bottle of additive and squirted it in. Of course the additive just ran back out because the diff was already full. I went back to the dealer and they said they completed the work and would only do it again if I paid for it. They claimed the rear end noise was normal. I will not go back to that dealer. Anyway...I put the Royal Purple 75W90 gear oil in and the rear end is now smooth and quiet.

Thanks for posting that.

I have some "nibble" and a little more "nick" feel while pushing into gear than I would expect. It concerns me so I will probably look into changing the tranny fluid soon.

What weight RP gear oil did you use in the differential and did you use any additive?

-Mark.

[TommyTSquared]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

Thanks for posting that.

I have some "nibble" and a little more "nick" feel while pushing into gear than I would expect. It concerns me so I will probably look into changing the tranny fluid soon.

What weight RP gear oil did you use in the differential and did you use any additive?

-Mark.

Differential weight is 75w90. If you go with RP you will not need additive.

[lakersftbl69]

after checking out this form last night i happened to go on to mobil1.com to check out the synthetic atf and came across 2 different kinds. i guess there is a newer type of oil that will still work with the dex III ( or whatever it is thats stock in the trani) fluids that are already in the 6m trani. my question is what would b the difference in the 2 mobil1 oil atf be

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by TommyTSquared

What was the price difference between the RP and the Mobil1? Is there any problem with the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) being used in a manual, or is the Mobil1 compatible for both?

The Mobil1 cost $32 (4qt) and the RP cost $60 (4qt). There is no problem with using ATF in a manual. GM puts a Dexron III ATF with additives in this tranny. I think most newer manuals take some kind of ATF.

Originally Posted by lakersftbl69

after checking out this form last night i happened to go on to mobil1.com to check out the synthetic atf and came across 2 different kinds. i guess there is a newer type of oil that will still work with the dex III ( or whatever it is thats stock in the trani) fluids that are already in the 6m trani. my question is what would b the difference in the 2 mobil1 oil atf be

I did quite a bit of research before choosing this one: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...hetic_ATF.aspx. If the other one you saw was Dexron VI, then don't use that; I read that the 6060 does not like DexVI.

[lakersftbl69]

Originally Posted by RandyB

The Mobil1 cost $32 (4qt) and the RP cost $60 (4qt). There is no problem with using ATF in a manual. GM puts a Dexron III ATF with additives in this tranny. I think most newer manuals take some kind of ATF.




I did quite a bit of research before choosing this one: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...hetic_ATF.aspx. If the other one you saw was Dexron VI, then don't use that; I read that the 6060 does not like DexVI.

i have no idea but this 1 was the second one that i saw. so obviously i wouldnt go with the link u put up then if mine is a 6m right? this is a link for the other 1 that i saw http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...exron_III.aspx

[mtcwby]

Just read the label, one says "MobilOne Synthetic ATF" the other says "MobilOne DexronVI ATF". You don't want the Dexron VI.

[cdn2usa]

Originally Posted by mtcwby

Just read the label, one says "MobilOne Synthetic ATF" the other says "MobilOne DexronVI ATF". You don't want the Dexron VI.

I am confused. Can you use the new Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF ? Both links state it is Dexron Vl. The bottle states that it is good for any Dexron III application, but that is rated Dexron VI.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by cdn2usa

I am confused. Can you use the new Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF ? Both links state it is Dexron Vl. The bottle states that it is good for any Dexron III application, but that is rated Dexron VI.

This is the link I posted: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...hetic_ATF.aspx.

This is what I am using in my M6 and what I recommend others use in the M6. It is NOT Dexron VI.

Neither the bottle nor the web page state that it is Dexron VI. Dexron VI is mentioned on the web page and the bottle. But, in both locations it is saying that if you have a 2006 or newer GM with automatic transmission, then you should not use this; you should use Dexron VI instead. It is a reference to a different product.

[TommyTSquared]

Little update here. Had this done and there isn't really any discernible difference in shifting/noise/performance when everything is up to temp. However, this morning we got some snow and the temps were in the 20's and there was a VERY noticeable difference in shifting as the transmission was cold - for the better.

Spent ~$100 for all the fluid (I bought 2 qts for the diff because it calls for 1.1). Just with anything else, some might notice a bigger difference in their transmission/diff just because that's the nature of a car.

[Stingr69]

Originally Posted by TommyTSquared

Little update here. Had this done and there isn't really any discernible difference in shifting/noise/performance when everything is up to temp. However, this morning we got some snow and the temps were in the 20's and there was a VERY noticeable difference in shifting as the transmission was cold - for the better.

Spent ~$100 for all the fluid (I bought 2 qts for the diff because it calls for 1.1). Just with anything else, some might notice a bigger difference in their transmission/diff just because that's the nature of a car.

What fluid did you end up putting into the tranny? Was it the RP?, the GM stuff, or the Mobil 1 ATF?

I bought some Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Dex 3 fluid but it has been too cold to do the change. Any improvement is a good thing.

-Mark.

[TommyTSquared]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

What fluid did you end up putting into the tranny? Was it the RP?, the GM stuff, or the Mobil 1 ATF?

I bought some Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Dex 3 fluid but it has been too cold to do the change. Any improvement is a good thing.

-Mark.

I used RP for everything.