Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox?

On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> Hi all,
>  I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl SDV10).
> When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends. Looking
> over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they put
> auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who topped it
> up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto trans
> fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
>
> So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in it? Is
> it going to cause me a problem?

Drain it and refill, it is a Manual Trans, right. Id also first
compliain to toyota, if its clear the reciept says ATF, you might meet
a rep or they might have you go to a different dealer to remove and
confirm the wrong fluid was put in, then you have a claim if any
maintenance is necessary.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha....RemoveThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> Hi all,
>  I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl SDV10).
> When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends. Looking
> over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they put
> auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who topped it
> up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto trans
> fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
>
> So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in it? Is
> it going to cause me a problem?

Are you sure fluid is Red ATF
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

Thanks guys,
The receipts clearly say "Auto Trans Fluid", even though the car is a
manual. I just wish I'd looked harder at the time. (three years and over
100,000 Km ago.)

I only checked it because I'm finding that third gear crunches a little now,
but it goes away once it's warmed up.

Looks like I'll be talking to Toyota on Monday.

"ransley" <Mark_Ransley.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:749220cd-2883-40a3-82da-bfad0ec30b6e@59g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl SDV10).
> When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends.
> Looking
> over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they put
> auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who topped
> it
> up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto
> trans
> fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
>
> So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in it?
> Is
> it going to cause me a problem?

Drain it and refill, it is a Manual Trans, right. Id also first
compliain to toyota, if its clear the reciept says ATF, you might meet
a rep or they might have you go to a different dealer to remove and
confirm the wrong fluid was put in, then you have a claim if any
maintenance is necessary.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

"Leigh Sharpe" <lsharpe.RemoveThis@pacificwireless.com.au> wrote in message
news:1220142793.965467@ns1.pacificwireless.com.au...
> Thanks guys,
> The receipts clearly say "Auto Trans Fluid", even though the car is a
> manual. I just wish I'd looked harder at the time. (three years and over
> 100,000 Km ago.)
>
> I only checked it because I'm finding that third gear crunches a little
> now, but it goes away once it's warmed up.
>
> Looks like I'll be talking to Toyota on Monday.
>

Sounds like you nailed 'em. But be very cautious in presenting your case,
don't get mad, because honey gets more flies than vinegar.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

Well, I'm sure it's red.

It looks much thinner than I would expect gear oil to be.

I'm going to get the local auto club to have a look at it for me. I've
already spoken to another Toyota dealer and they've offered to check it for
me, although he tells me that they are now manufacturing gear oil which is
the same colour as the red ATF. I'm still concerned that there is ATF listed
on the service receipts, though.



"ransley" <Mark_Ransley.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:35220750-63b2-46f8-9e98-96cb9f77e024@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl SDV10).
> When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends.
Looking
> over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they put
> auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who topped
it
> up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto
trans
> fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
>
> So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in it?
Is
> it going to cause me a problem?

Are you sure fluid is Red ATF
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

If Toyota tells them to use ATF, then the dealer should be able to
produce a Technical Service Bulletin for that. Otherwise they're just
full of it. Many Toyota dealers seem to be quite clueless anyway so
I'm not surprised.

While some manual gearboxes do use ATF, it's obviously best to use the
specified fluid the engineers asked for. Many gearboxes use plain 30W
motor oil or thicker high pressure hypoid gear oil.

After so many years and kilometers I think Toyota will just try to
sweep you under the rug. Really. But let us know.



On Aug 31, 9:34 pm, "Leigh Sharpe" <nos....RemoveThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> And it gets more interesting.
> The dealer responsible has told me that they have been putting auto trans
> fluid in the manual gearboxes since day 1, because Toyota told them to.
> Apparently, they need a lower viscosity oil in them, or the synchros don't
> line up properly when changing gears.
> This sounds like bullshit to me.  What do you guys think?
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

And it gets more interesting.
The dealer responsible has told me that they have been putting auto trans
fluid in the manual gearboxes since day 1, because Toyota told them to.
Apparently, they need a lower viscosity oil in them, or the synchros don't
line up properly when changing gears.
This sounds like bullshit to me. What do you guys think?



"Leigh Sharpe" <nospam RemoveThis @pacificwireless.com.au> wrote in message
news:1220228879.204468@ns1.pacificwireless.com.au...
> Well, I'm sure it's red.
>
> It looks much thinner than I would expect gear oil to be.
>
> I'm going to get the local auto club to have a look at it for me. I've
> already spoken to another Toyota dealer and they've offered to check it
for
> me, although he tells me that they are now manufacturing gear oil which is
> the same colour as the red ATF. I'm still concerned that there is ATF
listed
> on the service receipts, though.
>
>
>
> "ransley" <Mark_Ransley RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:35220750-63b2-46f8-9e98-96cb9f77e024@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha... RemoveThis @pacificwireless.com.au>
> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl SDV10).
> > When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> > transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends.
> Looking
> > over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they
put
> > auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> > On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who topped
> it
> > up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto
> trans
> > fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
> >
> > So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in it?
> Is
> > it going to cause me a problem?
>
> Are you sure fluid is Red ATF
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

On Aug 31, 11:34 pm, "Leigh Sharpe" <nos....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> And it gets more interesting.
> The dealer responsible has told me that they have been putting auto trans
> fluid in the manual gearboxes since day 1, because Toyota told them to.
> Apparently, they need a lower viscosity oil in them, or the synchros don't
> line up properly when changing gears.
> This sounds like bullshit to me.  What do you guys think?
>
> "Leigh Sharpe" <nos....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au> wrote in message
>
> news:1220228879.204468@ns1.pacificwireless.com.au...
>
>
>
> > Well, I'm sure it's red.
>
> > It looks much thinner than I would expect gear oil to be.
>
> > I'm going to get the local auto club to have a look at it for me. I've
> > already spoken to another Toyota dealer and they've offered to check it
> for
> > me, although he tells me that they are now manufacturing gear oil which is
> > the same colour as the red ATF. I'm still concerned that there is ATF
> listed
> > on the service receipts, though.
>
> > "ransley" <Mark_Rans....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:35220750-63b2-46f8-9e98-96cb9f77e024@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com....
> > On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
> > wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > > I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl SDV10).
> > > When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> > > transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends.
> > Looking
> > > over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they
> put
> > > auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> > > On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who topped
> > it
> > > up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto
> > trans
> > > fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
>
> > > So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in it?
> > Is
> > > it going to cause me a problem?
>
> > Are you sure fluid is Red ATF- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Email Toyota a complaint.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

On Sep 1, 3:53 pm, johngd....DeleteThis@hotmail.com wrote:
> If Toyota tells them to use ATF, then the dealer should be able to
> produce a Technical Service Bulletin for that. Otherwise they're just
> full of it. Many Toyota dealers seem to be quite clueless anyway so
> I'm not surprised.
>
> While some manual gearboxes do use ATF, it's obviously best to use the
> specified fluid the engineers asked for. Many gearboxes use plain 30W
> motor oil or thicker high pressure hypoid gear oil.
>
> After so many years and kilometers I think Toyota will just try to
> sweep you under the rug. Really. But let us know.
>
> On Aug 31, 9:34 pm, "Leigh Sharpe" <nos....DeleteThis@pacificwireless.com.au>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > And it gets more interesting.
> > The dealer responsible has told me that they have been putting auto trans
> > fluid in the manual gearboxes since day 1, because Toyota told them to.
> > Apparently, they need a lower viscosity oil in them, or the synchros don't
> > line up properly when changing gears.
> > This sounds like bullshit to me.  What do you guys think?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

It has worked for 15 years, it is kinda late for any complaint.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

Hee hee hee. True. Generally dealers offer 1-year/12K mile warranty
for any work.

Even if they did a lousy job but the car lasted 1 day and 1 mile after
warranty, then technically speaking the owner gets screwed. I guess
after that it failed because of "old age".



On Sep 1, 4:23 pm, ransley <Mark_Rans....TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
> It has worked for 15 years, it is kinda late for any complaint.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

"Leigh Sharpe" <nospam.RemoveThis@pacificwireless.com.au> wrote in message
news:1220243618.435908@ns1.pacificwireless.com.au...
> And it gets more interesting.
> The dealer responsible has told me that they have been putting auto
> trans
> fluid in the manual gearboxes since day 1, because Toyota told them
> to.
> Apparently, they need a lower viscosity oil in them, or the synchros
> don't
> line up properly when changing gears.
> This sounds like bullshit to me. What do you guys think?

My 1983 Mazda 626 came with ATF in the 5 speed manual gearbox. The
owner's guide confirmed this was correct but also said it was Ok to
change to gear old at 30K. I did so - and the transmission became
difficult to shift. Changed back to ATF immediately and shifting
problems when away. I never used anything else and the transmission
never had an issue (150k miles). Many manual transmissions how come
with ATF instead of gear oil. Think about this - is there any reason
to think that the gears in a manual transmission need different wear
and high pressure lubricants than an automatic? The one feature of a
manual that might require different lubrication is the synchronizers.
Have you had any problems with those since the transmission was
switched to ATF?

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

"C. E. White" <cewhite3.DeleteThis@removemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:48bd2ece$1@kcnews01...
> My 1983 Mazda 626 came with ATF in the 5 speed manual gearbox. The owner's
> guide confirmed this was correct but also said it was Ok to change to gear
> old at 30K. I did so - and the transmission became difficult to shift.
> Changed back to ATF immediately and shifting problems when away. I never
> used anything else and the transmission never had an issue (150k miles).
> Many manual transmissions how come with ATF instead of gear oil. Think
> about this - is there any reason to think that the gears in a manual
> transmission need different wear and high pressure lubricants than an
> automatic? The one feature of a manual that might require different
> lubrication is the synchronizers. Have you had any problems with those
> since the transmission was switched to ATF?

So what was the primary reason for the gear box oil to be always as thick as
it was compared to - let's say - engine oil? ATF is very watery, low
viscosity, so unless gears are **submerged** in it, it will not coat gears
by just traveling between teeth on the higher positioned gear wheels. I
wonder where is the filling/"level check" plug positioned on most of the
manual transmission in relationship to the toothed gears in the manual
transmission. Are they submerged in the oil or not?

I saw some gear oild additive advertisement with a toy where you had two
plastic gear boxes in the transparent case and you could turn the crank.
Only the bottom gear wheel was touching the surface of the oil and it was
lifting it up to the next toothed wheels. So the idea was that the additive
made the oil more "sticky" and made it easier to travel up the gears
assembly, against the gravity.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox? 

Well, now I'm just plain confused.
I've tried getting an official word from Toyota, but they have a wall of
receptionists designed to keep you out.
* Spoke to another dealer. His opinion is that it shouldn't be done unless
Toyota have issued a service bulletin to that effect, and he can quite
categorically state that there has been no such bulletin. He then gave me
the number of the Toyota Tranmission workshop nearby.
* Called the Toyota transmission workshop and asked his opinion (Coulda been
the Janitor for all I know, but he sounded competent). His response was
fairly quick. "Yeah, a lot of people do that. Especially if the synchros are
a bit noisy. Don't worry about it. The model before that used auto trans
fluid in the gearbox anyway. It's fine."

Looks like they're closing ranks, but the opinion from the majority of
Toyota mechanics is that its fine.

I still think I'll drain it and refill it myself, though. I just don't like
the idea.


"ransley" <Mark_Ransley RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:437c22b4-0401-4454-96e7-89f6b0e5d14a@56g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
On Aug 31, 11:34 pm, "Leigh Sharpe" <nos... RemoveThis @pacificwireless.com.au>
wrote:
> And it gets more interesting.
> The dealer responsible has told me that they have been putting auto trans
> fluid in the manual gearboxes since day 1, because Toyota told them to.
> Apparently, they need a lower viscosity oil in them, or the synchros don't
> line up properly when changing gears.
> This sounds like bullshit to me. What do you guys think?
>
> "Leigh Sharpe" <nos... RemoveThis @pacificwireless.com.au> wrote in message
>
> news:1220228879.204468@ns1.pacificwireless.com.au...
>
>
>
> > Well, I'm sure it's red.
>
> > It looks much thinner than I would expect gear oil to be.
>
> > I'm going to get the local auto club to have a look at it for me. I've
> > already spoken to another Toyota dealer and they've offered to check it
> for
> > me, although he tells me that they are now manufacturing gear oil which
is
> > the same colour as the red ATF. I'm still concerned that there is ATF
> listed
> > on the service receipts, though.
>
> > "ransley" <Mark_Rans... RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:35220750-63b2-46f8-9e98-96cb9f77e024@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> > On Aug 30, 5:46 am, "Leigh Sharpe" <lsha... RemoveThis @pacificwireless.com.au>
> > wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > > I'm having a few issues with the gearbox in my '93 Camry ( 4 cyl
SDV10).
> > > When I checked the gearbox oil today, I found that it had Automatic
> > > transmission fluid in it, not the 75-90 oil which Toyota recommends.
> > Looking
> > > over the service history (Done by Toyota), they have listed that they
> put
> > > auto trans fluid in it. Twice.
> > > On top of that, I had a CV done by another mechanic recently, who
topped
> > it
> > > up with gear oil at the time. So I think I now have a mixture of Auto
> > trans
> > > fluid and gear oil in my gearbox.
>
> > > So, is is OK to run a manual gearbox with auto transmission fluid in
it?
> > Is
> > > it going to cause me a problem?
>
> > Are you sure fluid is Red ATF- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Email Toyota a complaint.
 >> Stay informed about: Is auto trans fluid OK in a manual gearbox?