What fluid does everyone use in their manual transmission?
 

My understanding it that Mercedes originally said 10w oil but now will tell you to put any dextron in it (yes, ATF).

Has anyone trie MTF or anything else?

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IMHO any quality 75w80 is ok.

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YOU USE 75W80 IN YOUR MANUAL GEAR BOX?!?!

Wow! They make good coffee in Pennsylvania, I guess.

Thats a HUGE difference from ATF. I didn't think that would work at all. How does it shift?

Answer
 

1980
240D
Four speed manual transmission.
Dexron/Mercon III (ATF).

I flushed out the previous thick sludge, three times before it shifted correctly..

In sub-zero temperatures, the previous (guessing) 80/90 gear oil prevented shifting, and/or gummed up the synchromesh = grinding in all gears.


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I'm thinking of going with Red Line D4 ATF in mine (82 240D 4 speed), but haven't decided for certain yet. I'm not going to be changing it for a couple weeks, waiting until it will at least be above 40 outside.

I used Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF and works fine. MUST smoother. I ran some cheapo stuff to flush it out (Autozone). Drained, and put the good stuff in. I think the Haynes manual indicates AFT, also.

I just refilled mine with Penzoil "Syncromesh". I have been satified with Dextron, but this is a newly designed oil for these constant mesh transmissios. I have heard good things about, so I am using it.

DO NOT use 75W80. use ATF or 5W20

You can use a MB 235.1 approved 80W gear oil, but ATF was prescribed.

This is incorrect. 80 weight oil is fine for the axles, and the differential, but the manual gearbox needs a thinner oil or the syncros will not function.
5w20 should work, straight 10w, any quality ATF or preferably a synthetic ATF...

80W gear oil is as thin as ATF.

Oil weights aren't absolute numbers.

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Um, I'd need you to show me some documentation for this... weights of oils are a standard of viscosity universal across all brands and types of oil... oils with the W in them between two numbers, are manufacturers multi-viscosity oils, and can vary from temp to pressure and useage...

ATF is in the 10W range...

I was thinking about getting that synchomesh stuff from Pennzoil. It isn't too pricey. Does it shift better than ATF?

Has anyone tried Lucas additive?

I read this article by Jay Leno a while back in Popular Mechanics:

"Shifting with old transmissions can also be an issue. Red Line Oil makes a product called MTL 70W80 GL-4, a manual transmission lubricant that acts like a liquid synchronizer. My 1972 Dodge Challenger was always difficult to get into gear, and the gears ground when I shifted. I added a quart of MTL, and it doesn't even feel like the same transmission. MTL provides the perfect coefficient of friction; it protects the gears and the synchronizers. Better shifting through chemistry? You bet."

Might be worth giving a try. I'm not sure what the price is though. How much fluid does it take to fill the box?

We don't have any hypoid gears in there right?
Product Description
"Since most GL-5 gear oils for differentials are too slippery for manual transmissions, Red Line offers these products that ensure proper shifting while providing ultimate wear protection. Appropriate coefficient of friction for most manual transmission synchronizers. Red Line offers lubricants to pinpoint nearly every transmission application. MTL is not for use in differentials with hypoid gears. Excellent gear and synchro protection, balanced slipperiness for easier shifting in cold climates. Excellent for high and low-mile transmissions. Compatible with petroleum and other synthetics. Satisfies the gear oil viscosity requirements of 70W, 75W, 80W, and motor oil viscosities of SAE 30, 10W30, and 5W30. Recommended for GL-1, GL-3, and GL-4 applications as well as where most special synchromesh fluids are specified."

I think the bottom line is ,if you went into an auto parts store in this country and asked for 80W oil you'd get the wrong stuff.

comparing a manual transmission from a 70's american car, to a Mercedes transmission is like comparing the steam shovel to a backhoe... sure both will dig a hole, but um...

From the '80s back to the early '60s, most of my Mercedes owner's manuals called for ATF type-A or Dexron in the manual gearbox. Except for my '82 240D manual, which calls for motor oil.
Don't know the reason for the change and can't recall the weight right now, but it's what I've been using in that particuar car. No problems shifting so far.

Happy Motoring, Mark

no... it is not :)

guys over here easily eat 200K with one oil change in gearbox. It shifts perfectly!


edit: 80w90 (thicker) is also used but can make problems on temperatures lower than -10C and as such is avoided.
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thanks for that, but the charts, and graphs all show 80w gear oil to be approximately twice the thickness of 10 motor oil/transmission oil....:rolleyes:

All rear wheel drive passenger car, light truck, or light van synchronized standard shift manual transmissions from Mercedes-Benz, Getrag, or ZF made for Mercedes up until the next generation 5 & 6 speeds uses MB spec 236.2 ATF Type A fluid only. Factory part number is A000-989-26-03-10.

After the next generation transmissions came out between 2000-2002, they switched to MB spec 235.10, 75w gear oil (A001-989-26-03-10) for both the front and rear wheel drive cars, trucks, and vans.

Hope the info helps

The 240D has had Redline MTL in it for the past 5+ years and 50k. Like every Getrag transmission I've ever messed with its noisy. The MTL helps that somewhat. Its a good lube, but its still in a transmission from the 70s, its no miracle cure.

My Volvo M46 has been using MTL for almost 15 years.

Runs about $15 a quart around here and much easier to find than Type F or G ATF.