Minnesota Focus Owners Club

What kind of fluid do you guys use? Should I stick with the ford fluid or try something else.

I'm a personal fan of GM Syncromesh.

LSD or no?

i run ATF with friction modifier

used to run ford "honey"

its all the same, as long as it has a friction modifier in it to keep it thick.

No LSD but lets get all the info out there for people with and with out LSD. I also found this website. http://focus.noegruts.com/trannyoil/trannyoil.htm

ClOckwOrkSVT wrote:LSD or no?

i run ATF with friction modifier

used to run ford "honey"

its all the same, as long as it has a friction modifier in it to keep it thick.

Didn't you ever wonder why Contour MTX's had so much trouble with synchros?

I think it's because Ford used ATF in them back in the day, The Focus MTX always used full synthetic manual trans fluid and they have very few issues with synchros.

Why mess with what works. Use manual transmission oil.

Agree with Steve on this one. Leave the ATF for the autos.

Royal Purple syncromax. Smells really nice, too...

maybe i'll try the Royal Purple syncromax. I see they have it in 75W90 so that works for me. its that or mobil 1 gear oil

^^^that what i use

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:

ClOckwOrkSVT wrote:LSD or no?

i run ATF with friction modifier

used to run ford "honey"

its all the same, as long as it has a friction modifier in it to keep it thick.

Didn't you ever wonder why Contour MTX's had so much trouble with synchros?

I think it's because Ford used ATF in them back in the day, The Focus MTX always used full synthetic manual trans fluid and they have very few issues with synchros.

Why mess with what works. Use manual transmission oil.

tell that to my 195k beat-on trans with stock shift forks and synchro's that never grinds and never will.

what fluid you use doesn't matter, long as it's thick enough to lubricate. i've bought quart after quart of ford's MTX fluid from you steve, you know this. i get sick of paying so much for it every time i take my car apart, and my trans is tight and has no issues. i personally think it comes down to how well you can drive, and how much you "work" the synchro's in downshifts and such.

Redlineracer12 wrote:Agree with Steve on this one. Leave the ATF for the autos.

you gotta use friction modifier in the trans if you run atf. btw, just atf isn't enough.

I've run Amsoil ATF and Royal Purple (which is in the trans right now). By far the Amsoil performs better, smoother shifting less of a temperature vs viscosity difference (Amsoil had no noticeable change through winter and the RP was just like stock, stiff when below zero).

I'm going to try this honey next, maybe. I know that I will buy Amsoil again and I will not buy RP again.

All I know is Contour MTX's eat forks and sychros and Focus MTX's don't. All you have to do is look around the Contour forums to know this.

The big difference was the fluid used.

Anyone can get lucky with parts, A lot of SVTF clutches failed quite early in their lives but mines going on 90k on the original.

BTW-Friction modifier does nothing for the forks and synchros, all it's for is to help a plate style limited slip diff grab properly.

You can use whatever you want it your own transmission but I just think it's bad advice to tell anyone else to do the same.