I got my fluid put in, and I like it a lot. The shifting seems to be getting smoother, but I now have this weird smell in the car every once and a while. I am not sure what it is. Does anyone have this problem? Maybe its something else and it just happened to start showing up when I had my transmission and differential fluid changed.

 

Did you change it yourself or have someone else do it? The fill and drain are on the opposite side from the cat so there shouldn't have been any spills or dripping. Trans and dif fluid are pretty strong smelling. It wouldn't take much residue to have a noticeable smell especially after things heat up. Get underneath and wipe down around the fill plug. There's a ledge right under it that can be holding some fluid.

 

Thats it. I watched them do it because I wanted to learn how. They did spill a little, but I didn't think it would be that strong, especially inside the car.

 

i have this problem too, do i just need to clean around there???

sorry if this is kidna old.

 

The main thread for this is here: Gear oil smell. Everyone have the same problem. I'd like to see what Mazda's fix will be when everyone hit 60k and change their transmission fluid. There are going to be some irate people when they get their car back and it smells like a giant fart inside.

 

my diff and transmission fluid has been changed twice now in my car's 40k miles. I have never had any gear oil smell.

 

Consider yourself lucky then. You can usually guesstimate how widespread a problem is by the frequency of people piling into a thread with "me too" type of response. In this case, there are tons of them. I think as more people go for their first transmission fluid change, the true extent of the problem will become more apparent. This is not an isolated problem.

 

me too... lol. yes it is a problem many seem to be having.

 

I noticed NO change in 'shift feel' going from OEM to RP @ 27K miles on the odo.

 

I changed at around the same interval and there is definitely a difference. Not night and day mind you, but the RP feels thicker and cushion the shift engagement better. You can only feel it when you're shifting gently and let the gears fall into place. It did nothing to solve my 2nd gear notchiness when cold.

I don't think transmission fluid change is all that necessary, but if you're swapping out the differential fluid, might as well do the MT too. And the rear diff definitely can use a change every 20k.

 

just replaced my tranny and diff fluid w/ RP maxgear 75w90 @ 60k miles. i had redline previously and i think the purple stuff is much better. it shifts slicker than a stick of butter that has been placed on top of the rx8's oem catalytic converter after many consecutive high speed runs without time to cool down =P

ive had the gear oil smell pop up a few times since ive swapped in the new fluids......but it smells kinda good i like it

 

I like the RP Maxgear, I used the Amsoil stuff before and it SUCKED. The tranny was insanely notchy and sometimes wouldn't engage 1st and 2nd, I'll never use their tranny/diff/engine oils again. Put in the RP and it shifted smoothly again like stock, no weird smells either. Make sure your fill/drain plugs aren't loose and it's not dripping and burning off.

 

you like the smell of the oil? uh oh... haha

 

i also used to eat playdoh and sniff paint when i was younger.

 

[QUOTE=djmano]just replaced my tranny and diff fluid w/ RP maxgear 75w90 @ 60k miles.

QUOTE]



so you can use the same material for both the tranny and differential??

 

My tranny's fluid has been changed 3 times already. No smell.

Im planning to do change no.4

 

crazy rx-8 driver,

a board member emailed royal purple and the representative said that we should use RP maxgear 75w90 in both trans and diff. he said he runs the same in his rx-7 fd3s!

 

yes.

 

Cuz thats what Mazda recommends

but Im thinking I might try 75w140 next time. for rear diff, Its going to rob some power but gives me better protection .... thinking ...

 

sweet deal! thank you so much you guys! off to the store i go!

 

The stuff is good, I tried Amsoil 75W90 and it was HORRIBLE. Immediately switched to RP and it shifts smooth just like stock. Also just put the same stuff in my Miata for both the tranny and diff.

 

I will be changing my tranny and diff with RP in a few weeks as well.. Just got the crush washers ordered in.. just need to get my jackstands back from my friends place.. should be a good thing from what i hear

 

holy damn, went to NAPA today and they had their RP up for 15 bucks per qt !!!! is that a rip off or what??

what should i expect to pay here?

 

Thats a RIP OFF !

Get it online, like rpmoil.com

http://www.rpmoil.com/index.php?main...e73232d2454816

Not the cheapest, 10 bux each quart, 8.99 flat shipping. but their service is fast and very friendly.

 

how many quarts do i need all together for changing tranny and differential fluid?