My '98 SVT has no problems shifting in warmer weather. However, the past two weeks we've seen temperatures dropping to the single digits at night, and it's only warming to the high 20s during the day. When I first start the car up, I have a really hard time shifting into 2nd. The other gears are all fine. It doesn't grind, it just feels notchy and then will kick the stick back into neutral if I don't pull hard enough. I read another thread that sounded similar, but there was no resolution. Would a transmission fluid change to Royal Purple help me? Is there such a thing as colder weather mtx fluid, and do I need that instead?
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MTX doesn't like the cold
- Thread starter alien_yet_familiar
- Start date
Lord Stanley
Hard-core CEG'er
Yea, this was happening to me too... I did a fluid change with the Motorcraft "honey" (I forget the part #)... It seems better now, even though I still have like half a quart of the old crap in there... It was a nasty brown color :nonono:
A thread in the old forums suggested RP Synchromax as it performs better when cold.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...er=1165350&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1
and part number for Ford Honey is here.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...er=1226149&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...er=1165350&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1
and part number for Ford Honey is here.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...er=1226149&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1
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also don't forget the the mtx lubricates itself by using its gears to move the oil that is in the mtx. it was suggested a long time ago that you let the car idle with the clutch out breifly before driving, at any time during the year, so that the gears are lubricated. once you get the fluid moving and warming shifting should become easier.
i have also noticed that changing the fluid will make a difference in cold weather.
i have also noticed that changing the fluid will make a difference in cold weather.
todras
Pretty fly for a white guy *cowbell*
Rev it up a little with the clutch out and also have Royal Purple SM in there.
wait, how do you know you have half a quart in your mtx? when you drain it you drain it so there shouldn't be anythign left in there ... don't forget the mtx doesn't take a full 3 quarts ...
Lord Stanley
Hard-core CEG'er
wait, how do you know you have half a quart in your mtx? when you drain it you drain it so there shouldn't be anythign left in there ... don't forget the mtx doesn't take a full 3 quarts ...
A mis-understanding and me not going to my owners manual to be sure of the number :troutslap:
Thanks for all the suggestions - I'm going to try the cheap ones first 
and then if there's no improvement I'll do a flush and replace the fluid with Royal Purple. I'll let you know what works!
and then if there's no improvement I'll do a flush and replace the fluid with Royal Purple. I'll let you know what works!Big Jim
Hard-core CEG'er
The true cure for this is the improved shift fork with roller bearings.
Messing with the fluid may help, but probably will not eliminate the problem.
If the fluid is old, change it. If you are looking for the least expensive way to see how much difference the fluid can make, use Chrysler spec ATF+3 or ATF+4. ATF+3 worked wonderfully in my car. ATF+4 is essentially the same thing as ATF+3 but with a a better grade base (group III synthetic), but is also a bit pricier.
Currently I have Ford Honey in my trans with 2 oz of Ford friction modifier. It works the best of any that I have tried. ATF+3 is a very close 2nd, and for a lot less money.
ATF+3 isn't that much different from Mercon, the essential difference being a much higher level of friction modifier to start with so there is no need to add more.
Friction modifier makes the oil slipperier, so that tight shift fork slides a bit better. There are limits though. When it gets too cold, the fork just doesn't want to move.
If you feel it is a big enough improvement with ATF+3, then you can consider Ford Honey or Royal Purple.
Messing with the fluid may help, but probably will not eliminate the problem.
If the fluid is old, change it. If you are looking for the least expensive way to see how much difference the fluid can make, use Chrysler spec ATF+3 or ATF+4. ATF+3 worked wonderfully in my car. ATF+4 is essentially the same thing as ATF+3 but with a a better grade base (group III synthetic), but is also a bit pricier.
Currently I have Ford Honey in my trans with 2 oz of Ford friction modifier. It works the best of any that I have tried. ATF+3 is a very close 2nd, and for a lot less money.
ATF+3 isn't that much different from Mercon, the essential difference being a much higher level of friction modifier to start with so there is no need to add more.
Friction modifier makes the oil slipperier, so that tight shift fork slides a bit better. There are limits though. When it gets too cold, the fork just doesn't want to move.
If you feel it is a big enough improvement with ATF+3, then you can consider Ford Honey or Royal Purple.