Hey guys, a couple months ago I changed my transmission fluid to Redline and I expected the shifting to become smoother. However, I think after a week or two, the shifting became worse, and I feel more resistance when trying to get into gear, especially now that its getting colder. I could have the pedal to the floor, and applying slight pressure into gear, I can feel it almost start grinding, but not go into gear. I wonder what this could be
3 questions:

1) since i changed the fluid myself, could I have accidentally did something wrong? (ie fluid leaking out, running on no fluid). Unprobable cause the bolt drain plug is still there

2) i have posted multiple threads about a squeaky clutch pedal, especially when after rain/any water. could this be causing the issue?

3) i only have about 35xxx miles on it, its an 04, but both the previous owner and i learned to drive stick on it, is this a sign of the clutch going? the gears have not slipped at all

Any input is appreciated, Thanks in advance!

 

stick your head in the footwell and look at the clutch pedal

 

yea i've checked and it doesn't seeem to be broken or anything. I complained to Mazda a while back, and they lubed it up, another mechanic did too i believe

 

what fluid did you use. exactly.

 

redline mt90, used almost 2 quarts

 

alming:

I had the same issue when I used the Redline MT90.
Two weeks after I put it in, I drained it and refilled with Amsoil Manual Trans Gear Lube.
It now shifts very smooth - cold or hot.
I recommend you drain and refill with Amsoil.
It worked great for me.

 

hmmm interesting, i've read so many good reviews on redline mt90 and thats why i decided to use it. but how bad was your shifting? sometimes when i am going around 7-8 mph, and i try to put it in first, there is a lot of resistance, even when applying some throttle. I just want to make sure its not another underlying problem like the pedal not engaging the clutch all the way, because i get some grinding gears sometimes.

 

Shifting was very heavy and nearly impossible when cold. Yes, there was an occasional grind. It was surprisingly terrible after all the hype about Redline. Get that stuff out of there. I have heard that Royal Purple is a little hard on the metals used in the trans so I would stay away from that. Personally, I found the factory fluid to work very well and I have also been pleased with the Amsoil which I am currently using.

I doubt that you have a pedal issue unless you had symptoms before the fluid change.

I believe 7-8 mph is a bit fast for first. Yes, I get resistance there also. Mine slides into first very easily at 0-3.

Good luck - keep us posted.

 

hmmmmm i will consider another fluid change then, the last one got kinda messy haha. but thanks for the input, hopefully i can change it soon, and that it all works out

 

So a little update, I went to a castrol quick lube place and asked them to change in eneos transmission fluid. it still feels notchy, especially when cold. another weird thing i noticed is that when its cold and i just start the car, if i depress the clutch the rpms rise, then when i release the clutch the rpms drop, but only when cold....what's up with that?

 

I'm convinced that the issues with shifting are the hydraulic circuit that operates the clutch. Heck, they even put a new gearbox in my car and it still shifts marginally. My next step is to replace master and slave cylinder and put in a braided steel fluid line.

 

Of course it will feel notchy, the oil has to warm in cold weather before the tranny will shift "effortlessly" , .Think about it, your in cold weather, the oil is like honey and you start your engine,even tho its in neutral the input shaft is rotating at engine speed with this honey , when you depress the clutch , the input shaft doesnt spin at the same speed as the engine, the load on the engine is reduced, engine picks up revs. Dont be shift into 1st at more than 5mph.

 

Yea I know the oil is thick when its cold, but i just don't think shifting was that bad before the fluid change... and i never noticed the revs picking up when i depress the clutch....maybe im just being too paranoid?

 

Maybe it is different with the S2 but anything over 15mph and you can feel(without forcing it or even pushing hard at all) there is resistance but anything below 15 mph and it pops into first effortlessly for me. This is only when coming to a stop sometimes, if I were still going to be moving I wouldn't be going into first.

 

Xexok
I was using 5mph as a rough guideline, the shift forks in the S1 aren't as robust as the S2.