Considering changing my 6-speed Getrag tranny fluid to 75w90 synthetic. Debating between Red Line and Royal Purple. After pulling the front drivers side wheel, I can see both the drain and fill tranny plugs. I appears to be an easy job. If you have done this, does the shifting smoothness get better?

"Meets Warranty Requirements
Max-Gear® exceeds OEM warranty requirements for GL-5 automotive rear axle hypoid gear lubrication."







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2004 MCS - PW/B w/Xenons

 

I have discussed this with Eric Savage at Helix13.com and he told me he talked to a MINI mechanic that recommends to always use OEM MINI transmission fluid and not aftermarket fluid.

I think if my dealer found another fluid in there they would void the warranty for the transmission.

Talk to Eric more if you have questions.
Same applies to those who add a Quaife LSD- stick to stock fluids.

 

>>I think if my dealer found another fluid in there they would void the warranty for the transmission.

This is probably reason enough to stick with stock. However, I have had very good luck with redline in other cars.

 

The fluid that comes in the tranny is synthetic! It's my understanding it's made by Texaco and is a rather odd spec, as cars go, as not many use this oil. This was discussed on MINI2 some time ago. You can find at least some of this info there, on my post "Quaife install thread". It also cost in the $25 to $40 per Qt. range. When I got my Quaife I talked with Red Line and then used their oil. It's now 17 months later and with many autocrosses and pulling a tire trailer 1,000's of miles I, as expected, still have no problems.

A MINI dealer will always say to use OEM parts and fluids.

 

Interesting. I was led to believe it's regular dinosaur crude oil...non-synthetic

 

Has anyone heard a "good" reason not to use redline or other high quality synthetics? Of course MINI people will stick with the party line, especially at $25 per quart. I would like to know why OEM is the way to go.

 

>>Interesting. I was led to believe it's regular dinosaur crude oil...non-synthetic


I was told by a service tech at Roadshow that the transmission fluid on my 5-speed was not synthetic. Perhaps it's different on the 6-speed?


R.E.