Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Little bit confused by the mtx fluid change how-to

Originally posted by todras:

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Originally posted by BrApple:

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just because atf fluid isn't the spec anymore doesn't mean that you can't run it, I mean it was the spec before ... it is just not recomended anymore

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You guys had to piss Terry off huh?

....for a reason, that's why! FYI Some dealer put ATF in a warranty Getrag 6 speed in my machine shop partners Focus SVT.......rattled like an SOB...the HANDBOOK calls for honey...so after draining out the 'red junk' he puts in honey....magic!...NO ROLLOVER NOISE....The fluid spec was canged for many reasons.....and not just the MTX...the IB5 trans was change to honey as well...All Focus MTX/IB5's come with it as factory fill, all Jag X types with man trans come with it, factory fill.....a few bucks saved on oil at the potential cost of trans reabuild....that's bloody smart!....NOT....

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Yeah cuz its THICKER!

Actually years ago running thicker fluids was used in gearboxes with more "slop" between components, and thinner oils in those that are more precision built.
So are we going backward? Or is the new fluid engineered well enough to have a low viscosity to reduce drag but be thick enough to protect and stop gear rollover noise?

And why would they recommend ATF when new but now retrofit to a thicker oil? I mean 75w## oils were available 6-10 years ago, GL4 ones to boot.
Were they wrong before and right now? or are they wrong now but just don't care because the cars aren't under warranty anymore....thereby making it easier for Ford to blow-off the possible issues.

In his defense, several people have reported their transmissions being harder or nothy to shift after putting in honey versus mobil one.
The redline MT90, the same weight oil as the honey also seems to share this same characteristic.

I'm just thinking that if the FIRST advice from Ford is now wrong then why should we trust the new advice? I mean they are making a killing off the fluid now, an extra $45 per fill over what, $10 from ATF?
And how foolish were those people that were running 75w## oils 6-10 years ago in their then NEW contours? They were being told " You are WRONG for not following the factory fill...get ATF in that thing" etc.

Just questions that arise from all the info.