my mustang has always had notchy shifting, and i have noticed it has gotten a little worse. how often are we supposed to change the gear oil? i was also thinking of switching to royal purple synthetic gear oil, this might help with the notchy shifting. any input?

 

As long as it meets Mercon specification, it should be fine. Do not use Mercon V, as it will not blend with regular old Mercon. Make sure that the purple stuff is compatable with the residual Mercon remaining after you drain your tranny.
On my wife's T5 Explorer Manual Transmission, I have to change it at least every 15,000 as she is pretty tough on the synchronizers. The first time I changed it, I waited for 30,000 miles and the fluid was downright filthy. I would try the fluid change to see if it helps. See if you have any metal shavings stuck to the drain plug, or any unusual fluid contamination. If that is the case, you might consider saving samples of the old fluid and what was stuck to the magnetic drain plug to show your dealer for his input too.

 

sounds good, gonna go to mustang magic tomorrow and have that done, and also get a little info on getting my saleen s/c

 

There will likely be grey sludge on the drain plug... leftover dust from machining processes that's worked its way out of stuff, metallic components from the blocker rings, and gear tooth material from wear-in.

Synthetic fluid may cause a decrease in shifting performance as the blockers need friction to work. They are wet clutches.

 

I did this after 1000 miles. Royal Purple. Not really a noticable difference in shifting. The stuff that came out was nasty though. I think you should do it between 500 and 1000 miles the first time. Same with the diff. Then a regular schedule is fine.

 

OK, I don't want to sound like an idiot but I didn't know that we have to change the gear box oil. And just to make sure, are we talking about transmission fluid? I have 12000 miles on my stang now and I'm a little worried. I have been just changing my engine oil.

 

i put the royal purple synchromax stuff in, not much difference. 1 and 2 are still notchy. so should i make an appointment for them to check it out? this is my first mustang, so i am not familiar with the way these trannys feel, before this car i had an old vw jetta 5speed, a mazda mx3 with a jdm engine swap. maybe i am just more used to the way these smaller fwd cars shifted?

 

Yes, the oil in your manual trans. I would change it. It is very easy to change. Then again in another 10000-20000. I just change mine early because of breakin metal. Then every 10000-20000 miles or so. I also use only synthetics in everything.

 

These transmissions are not butter smooth by any means. If it grinds or will not go into gear, then I would get it checked. If you take it in they will probably blame the after market shifter.

 

Cool, next time I change my oil I will also change the gearbox oil. I'll just get some Royal Purple.

 

owner's manual only has info regarding checking and adding. Doesn't say anyting about changing - as it does with engine oil. I'm guessing that there is a drain plug on the trans similar to that on the oilpan?

 

i changed mine at 30,000 and as far as grinding goes well thats my fault too.

 

mine doesnt grind, sometimes it just doesnt go into gears as smoothly as other times. guess this is a characteristic of this trans.

 

I just cant power shift from 1st-2nd and or down shift at speeds greater than 5 mph into 1st. And when you want to really get around someone when your going 15 mph in 2nd you cant down shift into first and punch it to get around them. I think that my 1st gear syncros are screwed up.

 

Nah, all you gotta do is match the revs and it'll go in . . . . just give it some gas as you slip it from second into first (with the clutch in of course).

 

Going from second to first is tough(I don't do it over 5 mph) but you should be able to speed shift 1st to second very easily. That's probably worth looking into.

 

Yes, it has a drain plug and fill plug on the side. Do yourself a favor and buy the hand pump that they sell at your local Auto parts store(got mine at Checkers). Holds just over 3 quarts(3.2).

 

I have never changed the manual transmission or rear end oil in my lifetime. Not even in my winning drag car. Oil was only changed at rebuild.

 

my winter car has 180,000 miles. The manual tranmission fluid has never been changed.

 

might want to go to a sales lot to compare with another GT.