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Get the Most out of Your Manual Transmission: Smooth-Shifting


Smooth Shifts and Long Transmission Life


Few things connect driver and vehicle like a smooth-shifting manual transmission. Although U.S. automakers have steadily moved away from manuals, many enthusiast cars still come with optional manuals. The heavy-duty market is still dominated by manuals, with many of these transmissions being automated. 

Most modern automobile manual transmissions use synchronizers – conical brass rings attached to each drive gear – to match the rotational speed of the drive and dog gears during shifts. Without synchronizers, these gears would clash as they try to mate.  Transmissions without synchronizers require a shifting technique called double clutching to engage the gears smoothly. 

Maximizing Shift Quality

Whether you’re driving a sports car or an over-the-road truck, smooth shifts are important. The lubricant’s viscosity and friction properties play a vital role in shift quality. Viscosity that is too high could prevent shifting the gears until the transmission warms up or result in abnormally high temperatures during operation. Viscosity that is too low could cause the synchronizer and dog gear to engage too quickly, resulting in grinding or hard shifts and abnormal transmission wear. The wrong frictional properties will result in poor shift quality and possibly accelerated synchronizer wear.

Synchromesh Lubrication

Despite their relative simplicity compared to automatic transmissions, manuals require properly engineered lubricants – particularly the synchromesh units – to operate properly. In addition to providing smooth shifts, the lubricant must…
Help control gear wear
Reduce heat for improved gear efficiency
Inhibit corrosion to gear surfaces

Controlling wear isn’t as simple as it sounds. The relative motion between gears squeezes out the oil, meaning the microscopic film of lubricant left behind must be sufficiently resilient to withstand high pressures. Typically, the lubricant cannot contain high levels of anti-wear and extreme-pressure additives because they deteriorate synchromesh materials and disrupt gear engagement. Manual transmissions may call for motor oil; an automatic transmission fluid; a GL-4 or GL-5 fluid or a fluid formulated for synchromesh units. Motor oils are common manual transmission lubricants in older vehicles, but they generally do not offer adequate protection in modern transmissions. 

AMSOIL formulates a complete line of synthetic manual transmission fluids for passenger car/light truck and heavy-duty applications. They are specifically formulated to deliver smooth shifts and long transmission life for their intended applications, helping you get the most out of your vehicle.

Manual Transmission Fluids


Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90



Towing, heavy hauling and performance driving create shock-loading conditions and elevated heat that threaten the performance and life of manual transmissions and transaxles. Making matters worse, horsepower, torque and towing capacities seem to increase with each new vehicle model year, increasing severity. AMSOIL Synthetic Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube is specifically formulated to reduce friction and maintain viscosity for long component and fluid life. It is designed to excel in severe-service conditions that exceed the limitations of conventional fluids.

- Protects Against Wear & Heat in Severe Applications
- Quick Shifts & Excellent Protection in Hot Rods and Muscle Cars
- Protects against increased heat and pressure
- Outstanding cold-flow properties
- Protects brass synchronizers
- Friction-modified
- Excellent seal compatibilityInhibits rust and corrosion
- Long service life

Applications
Synthetic Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube is recommended for applications requiring a 75W-85, 75W-90 or 80W-90 viscosity gear oil with any of the listed specifications:

- API GL-4
- Chrysler MS-9070
- ZF TE-ML 02b, 17a
- MAN 341-Z2 (formerly MAN 341 ML)
- MB 235.5

Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid 5W-30


AMSOIL Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid is a premium-quality synthetic lubricant designed to surpass the most demanding lubrication requirements of manual transmissions and transaxles where non-extreme-pressure fluids are used. Protects gears and bearings in extreme temperatures. It outperforms conventional oils and delivers outstanding performance from -40°F to 300°F, and it maximizes energy efficiency and resists the effects of heat, oxidation, sludge and varnish deposits.

- Ideal for Many General Motors, Chrysler, Honda and Other Vehicles
- Excellent for Service Centers
- Reduces friction, heat and wear
- Superior high-temperature stability
- Resists heat, oxidation, acid buildup and varnishImproves cold-weather shifting

Applications
Recommended for automotive and light-truck applications that require synchromesh transmission fluid. Applications include manual transmissions and transaxles such as New Venture NV T350, NV 1500, NV 2550, NV 3500, NV 3550, NV 5600, and Tremec T4, T5, T18, T56, T176, TKO500, TKO600, TR 3450 and TR 3550. Replaces MTF-94 fluid for Land Rover, MG, and Mini Cooper. Replaces Honda Genuine MTF fluid for manual transaxles and Texaco MTX fluid. Not for use in engines, hypoid rear axles, limited-slip or wet-clutch applications.

NEED HELP FINDING THE RIGHT MANUAL TRANSMISSION OIL?




SAE 50 Long-Life Synthetic Transmission Oil



AMSOIL SAE 50 Long-Life Synthetic Transmission Oil is specially formulated to meet the demanding requirements of manual transmissions found in high-torque, heavy-duty line-haul trucks and other commercial applications. Its synthetic base oils and premium additives help reduce wear (see photos), improve shifting and extend transmission life throughout drain intervals of up to 500,000 miles/five years. Compared to conventional fluids, Long-Life Synthetic Transmission Oil can help operators reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity.

- Resists Wear
- Year-Round Performance
- Inhibits Foam
- Seal Friendly

Applications
AMSOIL SAE 50 Long-Life Synthetic Transmission Oil is excellent for use in manual transmissions requiring an SAE 50 lubricant found in heavy-duty equipment. It is recommended for applications specifying any of the following:

- Eaton* PS-164 Rev. 7
- API GL-1 and MT-1
- Navistar*/International*
- TMS 6816Mack* TO-A Plus
- ZF* Freedomline
- Meritor* 0-81
- Rockwell*/Eaton/Fuller* CD-50 (PS-081)


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