I'm looking for advice from folks who drive their cars daily in sub-freezing temps.

The issue I'm having is that, in the morning, the car is next to impossible to get into gear. I was thinking perhaps a good synthetic (i.e. Redline MT-90) would alleviate this, but everything I've read here about MT-90 says that shifting is actually WORSE with MT-90 than with Honda MTL when cold (which makes no sense to me).

Any cold weather folks care to make a trans fluid recommendation to help with my cold weather woes ?

 

if I let the car warm up some, it's never been an issue even in sub 0 degree weather.

 

MT-90 is REALLY bad when cold. MTL would probably be better, since it is lighter weight. However, I just switched to GM Synchromesh Friction Modified, and it is friggin' awesome! I have tried Honda MTF, GM Synchromesh (regular), MT-90, MT-90 mixed with MTL, and GM Synchromesh Friction Modified. I am not sure how GM Synch FM will be in the summer, but it is DEFINITELY the best I've used in the winter. This is the longest I've gone without a 2nd gear grind, and it is very smooth cold. I was also impressed with how well it did under heavy autocross conditions. I spent 36 minutes doing 25 autocross runs on Saturday, and it was perfect all day. It even warmed up later in the day, and I did 16 consecutive runs.

Don't be fooled by my "Dallas, TX" location. It gets down into the low 20's here too.

BTW, I am going to do a track day this weekend. I will do a write-up on GM Synch FM after.

 

im very tempted to try this GM friction modified, but some have complain that it breaks down too quickly. anyways, honda mtf feels the same as the first day i put it in. its not super smooth, but i like how the shifting characteristics do not deminish after time.

 

GM Synchromesh is what I use...we just had 22 days below freezing (a new record here) with a few days below 0 (farenheit) and I have never had a problem shifting...

 

I have plain old Honda MTF in my car and have started the car up after having it sit outside overnight at near -30*C. Letting it run for about 2-3 minutes in neutral while I go out and unplug the car, scrape off the windows and brush off any snow, I simply put the thing in gear and go. It has never been difficult to put into gear. Something is not right with your cars.

 

It isn't that Honda MTF is bad when it is cold, as much as it is that it sucks when it is hot. I liked Honda MTF for daily driving, but I would grind into 2nd every ~700 miles. I found that GM Synchromesh (regular) was a bit better than Honda MTF, but it still couldn't handle autrocrossing in high temps. I never was able to do an autocross without getting AT LEAST a couple 2nd gear grinds. Honda MTF was MUCH worse. It was a challenge just to get a single autocross run without grinding. GM Synchromesh Friction Modified has been perfect in EVERY situation so far this winter.

 

GM Tranny fluids:

Part 10-4005
88900332 General use

Part 10-4014
88900399 Syncromesh FM (for NV1500 trannies)
Semi-synthetic

Friction modified was designed for a truck transmission.

 

I'll bet you've got a problem other than fluid. I've not driven in sub-zero F weather with my S2K yet, but on the 10 other manuals I've owner I've not had problems at any temperature above -25F or so. Below that, maybe, depending on the vehicle.

Is the problem N-> 1, or 1->2?

Clutch not releasing all the way?

--Mike

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gernby
It isn't that Honda MTF is bad when it is cold, as much as it is that it sucks when it is hot.