Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site drusd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!ihnp4!drutx!drusd!lrd
From: lrd@drusd.UUCP (DuBroffLR)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Transmission Lubricants
Message-ID: <1175@drusd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Dec-84 11:16:41 EST
Article-I.D.: drusd.1175
Posted: Wed Dec 12 11:16:41 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 13-Dec-84 03:25:02 EST
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 43

Sorry about this folks, but I'm getting a little tired of seeing all the
self-styled experts spouting off with their own notions of "facts."
This topic has gone on and on, and lots of misinformation has been
presented with authoritative style.  DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT!

A manual transmission may, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations,
use hypoid gear oil, motor oil, or even (gasp) Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)!  Further, neither Chilton's nor your owner's manual (as
suggested by one net.poster) may be right.  If in doubt, check directly
with a representative of the manufacturer.

Case in point:  The owner's manual for by Mercedes-Benz 240D indicates
that 10W motor oil should be used for the four-speed manual.  This is
confirmed by Chiltons and several other similar publications.  The
service department at a Mercedes-Benz dealer filled the manual transmission
with ATF.  When I noticed this on the bill, I questioned them; they showed
me a service bulletin from the factory, indicating that this was now the
recommended lubricant for my manual transmission.

After another major service (50,000 miles later) by another service
organization, I noticed stiff shifting.  I brought the car back and
questioned them.  They had filled the transmission with 10W oil, as
specified in all the "authoritative" publications (they were not aware
of the factory service bulletin).  After some heated discussion,
(including the notion of a stop payment order for the check),
they agreed to drain, flush, and refill the transmission with ATF,
at no additional charge to me.

The Automatic Transmission Fluid is evidently doing the proper job in
this manual transmission; with over 115,000 miles on the car, driven
hard in weather ranging from sub-zero to over 100 degrees, the
transmission has never required attention other than the recommended
lubricant replacement.  Shifting action is as light and positive today
as it was when I drove the car out of the factory door, in 1978.
And, being an underpowered (62 horses) diesel in a full-sized car,
the transmission gets a lot of use, especially here in the Colorado
mountains!

Moral of the story:  The "experts" may not have the facts.
"Chiltons" or other similar publications may not have the facts.
Your owner's manual may not have the facts.
Your trustworthy mechanic may not have the facts.
If in doubt, check with the source -- the manufacturer's tech rep!