gutenfreibier

I changed the transmission fluid with PTX 75-90w from suncoast today. Previously I had thought my cables needed adjustment (numeric), that they needed lubing, or that something was occasionally binding or being impeded in the shift linkage. After taking my console off, tinkering around, etc, a MASSIVE difference was made by changing the fluid.

Car is new-ish to me with 97k miles.

When I drained it, it looked sort of reddish still, once I put it into a jug, you could see how dark it was. The transmission drain plug had very little in the way of dirt and metal shavings / specks on it. The shifter now feels like a new car, no missed shifts, no binding feeling, etc. Just nice clean crisp shifts.

It is certainly worth doing if you never have, especially if you have any issues with harder shifting, gummy feeling, etc. I have changed transmission fluid on many other cars over the years, with next to no improvement in smoothness or shift feel, and can honestly say I am shocked at what a difference it made. The best part is how simple the transmission fluid change was.

Cheers!

fourthirteen

Hmmm…I’ll have to add this to my to-do list.
Thanks for the info.

997Fanatic997

Having this done today! FYI the 3 bottles of oil cost me $120 from Renn Part (the only one I could find who repackaged Mobilube PTX and had it in Stock). My indy is doing the change free of charge while my Exhaust and cats are being done today. I looked into it and it can be done on jackstands but requires removing the undercovers so It was just easier to have my Indy do it since it's free.

Petza914

Yep, I do mine every 40k-50k miles. Only use the MobilLube PTX even if you've had good luck in other Transmissions with something else.

BHMav8r

On my to do list with next oil/filter change, along with new motor & tranny mounts. The maybe a cable adjustment, if need be.

4Driver4

Did mine at 80k miles. Front diff too. New (to me) car a few years ago so figured it would be a good idea. No real difference.

On the other hand, it made a huge difference on my 2008 Miata. Old oil was basically black at 56k miles.

yelcab

I am partial to Redline MTL, every 30,000 miles. Clean, clear, crisp, snickerty shifts.

nerdnic

I was having really bad 1st and 2nd gear jams in my 09 before changing trans oil. I couldn't get into 1st gear if I was already moving, would have to wait until fully stopping, and often would have to double clutch or get into 2nd before going into 1st. Even after full warm up period, shifting in 1st and 2nd was not good. I did a flush at 80k with Valvoline 75w90 for 30 miles to try and get as much of the old oil out. It was honestly better than whatever mystery oil was in the box before because I could actually shift consistently, but the oil felt really light. After the flush I put in PTX, which feels heavier than the Valvoline, and everything seems good for the last 6k miles. I get a few rough shifts in 1st when cold, but that's about it.

TerrestrialFlyte

Agreed. Did mine last weekend along with engine oil. I did get more than 3 quarts out tho, started flowing out when I took the fill plug out. Remember, fill at the fill hole towards the front of the car, boys and girls.

Petza914

That means whoever changed it before you used the wrong fill plug when they did the job.

TerrestrialFlyte

Yep! Also, a good reason to change a fluid on any used vehicle after purchase. You never know.

yelcab

What is the second and higher fill hole for?

Petza914

I don't know, but the trans will take more fluid than the spec says if you use it and will be overfill, which when the fluid expands mean you run the risk of blowing out an internal seal.

If 3 bottles doesn't have fluid coming out the fill hole, the wrong higher hole is being used.

TerrestrialFlyte

What are the implications of this? Infill like I didn’t really have too much fluid dripping out after 3 bottles?

Petza914

It holds something like 2.8L or Qts (don't remember which), so you shouldn't have a lot left over from 3 bottles, especially since some loss happens with the pump delivery to get it in there. As long as it was full and some was dripping out the fill hole you're good. If none was dripping out the fill hole you should go back under and find the 2 upper holes and make sure you used the right one. I only know this because I knew about the 2 upper holes going into the job and without that knowledge would have selected the wrong one until I looked around some more.

Wish I had a photo to share but there should be one on the internet somewhere, possibly in the PTX thread here, but that's pages and pages long now - but maybe look through the first few pages of it.

Found a video that shows the 2 plugs. Start here at 1:55

https://youtu.be/VffOXq3Vuxo