Which transmission fluid to use in manual 996?
02-08-2013, 10:50 PM
#32
KrazyK, you may remember I had a similar thread not too long ago. Since I wasn't getting the answers I wanted, I read every transmission oil/fluid thread I could find on the web. Probably 20 of them. Swepco came up a lot, but if you aren't tracking, Delvac was the most mentioned fluid I saw. I got the Motul since I will be tracking.
Good luck!
Good luck!
02-09-2013, 11:34 AM
#34
I went with Motul Gear Competition FF 75w 140. Track day isn't until April so I can't say how it did yet. But shifting in general has been smoother. I'm not sure how much of that is just the fluid being new though. The jury is still out.
05-28-2015, 09:54 PM
#36
Rennlist Member
Used factory transmission fluid--now harder to shift!
I have a 2003 996. I'm getting close to 90 kmi, so I changed my transmission fluid. Based on reports of what worked and what didn't, I went with the Porsche factory fluid from Suncoast Parts for 40 $/qt. Ouch. It took just under 3 quarts.
A tip on changing it yourself: When my car was about level, only half of the fluid drained out. The drain plug is toward the rear of the car, so I pulled out the jack stands and dropped the rear of the car as low as it would go without crushing my drain pan and whoosh...the rest of the fluid drained right out. It looked as clear as if it were new. The magnetic drain plug had a dozen or so flakes of metal on it, which seems to be the same as what I've seen on other vehicles over the decades.
The shifting was fine before. Surprisingly, the shifting is now more difficult: it's "notchy" and harder to push into each gear, both when cold and when warmed up. If anyone has a manual transmission fluid that produces better shifting than the factory fluid, I'd like to try that next time.
A tip on changing it yourself: When my car was about level, only half of the fluid drained out. The drain plug is toward the rear of the car, so I pulled out the jack stands and dropped the rear of the car as low as it would go without crushing my drain pan and whoosh...the rest of the fluid drained right out. It looked as clear as if it were new. The magnetic drain plug had a dozen or so flakes of metal on it, which seems to be the same as what I've seen on other vehicles over the decades.
The shifting was fine before. Surprisingly, the shifting is now more difficult: it's "notchy" and harder to push into each gear, both when cold and when warmed up. If anyone has a manual transmission fluid that produces better shifting than the factory fluid, I'd like to try that next time.
05-28-2015, 10:02 PM
#37
That's interesting. I've changed out mine (also a '03) twice and each time the shifting is even smoother afterwards. The fluid was quite dark the first time I drained it though. Are you sure you had the stock fluid on it before?
05-28-2015, 11:33 PM
#39
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Just had my transmission fluid changed as well. Was confused as to which fluid to buy but ended up ordering Porsche OEM fluid from ECS tuning. Shifts are now considerably smoother. Car has 52k miles.
05-29-2015, 12:30 AM
#40
Race Director
My experience matches Ashai's, well the shifting part. I don't change the fluid but have it done and I don't know what it looks like.
In your car's case be sure you do a proper clutch fluid flush/bleed. I have found letting this go beyond 2 years, while brake function is unaffected - street driving only -- the clutch action deteriorates and shifting becomes less smooth, almost like I'm not pushing the clutch in far enough.
For the clutch fluid flush/bleed my advice would be to start with and do a proper brake fluid flush/bleed then move on to the clutch hydraulic system.
In your car's case be sure you do a proper clutch fluid flush/bleed. I have found letting this go beyond 2 years, while brake function is unaffected - street driving only -- the clutch action deteriorates and shifting becomes less smooth, almost like I'm not pushing the clutch in far enough.
For the clutch fluid flush/bleed my advice would be to start with and do a proper brake fluid flush/bleed then move on to the clutch hydraulic system.
05-29-2015, 12:38 AM
#41
Wow, timely post. Just went through the search for fluid. The Shell fluid that porsche recommends has a new name. It is now called Shell Spirax. And the are multiple types of Spriax. Turns out Prosce fluid is the S5. After all that research I found you could not buy it in the use in less than 20 qt jugs.
Went with the ECS for OEM fluid. They were the cheapest I could find at $32/quart. Pelican didn't have OEM fluid, but they had a Fuchs fluid that was fairly cheap. Almost went with that.
Went with the ECS for OEM fluid. They were the cheapest I could find at $32/quart. Pelican didn't have OEM fluid, but they had a Fuchs fluid that was fairly cheap. Almost went with that.
05-29-2015, 12:46 AM
#42
Porsche transaxle fluid is $26.5/L from Sunset! Why buy from anyone else? 
http://www.porschepartshub.com/oe-porsche/99991754600
Cheaper than a single oil change and it's done only every 50k or more. The most important thing is most ppl find the stock fluid is the best.
http://www.porschepartshub.com/oe-porsche/99991754600
Cheaper than a single oil change and it's done only every 50k or more. The most important thing is most ppl find the stock fluid is the best.
05-29-2015, 01:13 AM
#44
