Manual Transmission Fluid Change

[dsmturbo]

MAdturtle, does it list proper fluid for a 2005 PT GT convertible? I guess from above it is the G288 tranny?
I'll have to go grab the service manual

[Madturtle]

Originally Posted by dsmturbo

MAdturtle, does it list proper fluid for a 2005 PT GT convertible? I guess from above it is the G288 tranny?
I'll have to go grab the service manual

I don't know. The info I got was at the dealer's parts counter, where I was shown the screen for my car.

A quick phone call to a dealer should get you the info. If it is the same as the part number I listed you can get an equivalent from Royal Purple and a couple of other brands.

[valkyriemc]

I've beat this to death. The 2001 manual xmission NV-T350 needs chrysler MS-9417, and it's expensive. I think two quarts were around 38 bucks. The ONLY other fluid that has this spec is an Amsoil product MTF Syncromesh fluid. But I haven't used it yet. You will find hudreds of posts about this subject. I've spent hours dealing with this on numerous forums. Some have tried Penzoil Syncromesh fluid which is relatively cheap compared the the factory product. But subsequint posts reveal possible problems. Also mentioned was ATF+4 fluid The issue is the syncros and some fiber that was used. I do know this; my rubber fill plug although seemingly tight upon re-intallation after a fluid change was not a tight seal. The plug had shrunk, somewhat hardened and leaked. (Later I realized I could easily rotate it by hand when installed.) I would suggest strongly to anyone changing their fluids to do repeat checks under the car, the next day and the next week. If I hadn't caught the leak my transaxel would have gone dry and locked up. One thing is certain, if you use the Chrysler fluid you can't go wrong. Also fluid demands may change in sucessive model years. The cost of a replacement transaxel, especially on an older car, make dictate your fluid choice.

[SilverSport]

Originally Posted by Madturtle

I just came from my Chrysler dealer who advised that ATF+4, as shown in the downloadable service manual on this site, was the wrong fluid for the T350 transmission. Said it would ruin the transmission.

My PT is a 2001.

Correct product per the chart on his computer is Mopar Manual Transaxle Lubricant # 04874465.

FYI.

I did not use the downloadable service manual .... I used the Chrysler Printed 2006 Chrysler PT Service Manual that has 5 or 6 volumes, it also says to use ATF+4 .... the same thing my Mazda 5sp F150 Manual Tranny rebuilder recommended to use so I did not find it odd. So some cluckup put the wrong info in there. Sure hope 11000 miles of spirited driving on the thin lube thats been leaking for the last 1000 miles didn't ruin the tranny. I hope the publisher has insurance!

[UptownSport]

T-350 was Mopar transaxle lube up to '99, Then '00 transaxles switched to
ATF, they EVEN HAVE A STICKER ON TRANSAXLE THAT SAYS "ATF"

I just dump in ATF for Neon's T-350.
289k miles ...


Here's Vitor's t-350 w/ ATF, as you can see.

[SilverSport]

So I guess that means I need to make a better choice of ATF to put in it.
What brand do you use?

I just visited the dealer and ordered a new plug because that is were it seems to be leaking down from. I know I did not get it to exactly 1/4" below the hole, I probably got it to 1/16th. But it did not leak for 10K miles. It really isn't a leak, more a drip, when parked I get about 2 or 3 drips in a 1hour or more period, it doesn't appear to be sprayed all under the car, so I don't think it is a massive drip/leak while driving.

I asked the service side at the dealer, they all said ATF+4. The parts counter shows ATF+4 also, but they do stock the NZ T350 oil and it is about $20 a quart. I run Royal Purple in my VW, but that is not ATF, would a Royal Purple or Amsoil product be better and make my manual tranny shift like I am used to with my VW's and not be cludgy like my F150?

[VNT]

ATF+4 will work in your base 5spd T350.

Myself in all my Chrysler manual transmissions I use Amsoil MTF.

The reason being, it has the same viscosity characteristics but will hold up better to the shearing on the gear set. Chrysler in the 80's used to put ATF in the FWD transaxles, mostly for ease of carrying one fluid in the shop floor and to ease shifting in cold. But in 1998 they switched to 10W-30 oil because it held up better, they made no changes to the design.

In my Getrags I use the MTF and change it every 20Kmiles or so.

AMSOIL - Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF)

[Chromenut]

Good advice, just getting ready to change mine in my G288, will be going with Amsoil MTF also.

[SilverSport]

Sounds like a better plan. I have looked at Amsoil, no local dealer for about 70 miles, may order online if I can get it during week, will ask at Base Auto Shop too, I have seen the flyers there and know there are local sellers. I also looked at Mobil 1 site, they have 6 Synth ATF's, not a one of them states they will work in place of ATF+4, searched for ATF+4 on mobil 1 site and read 4 of the 8 hits, they did not mention ATF+4. I went to my favorite Orielly's, they have Royal Purple that I use in my VW, but do not stock the ATF .... I like the Amsoil site, it even tells us the capacities for our car and the viscosity info unlike the other two, so I will try to go with them ... but have used Mobil1 and Royal Purple for years in my more performance oriented autos as a rule!

[SilverSport]

UPDATE

Well today I got the PT on the rack, did the front brakes and changed the tranny oil. It was still dripping and dripped while I was doing the brakes before I changed the oil. I should have wiped the case and waffle section of the case below the plug .... still looked like it was the plug.

Well the results are, I drained the ATF+4 I had installed about 12000 miles ago, injected 2.5 and a little more quarts of Amsoil Multi Vehicle Synth ATF and then measured what I had drained, it was at least 2.5 quarts ... I spilled a little pouring into one container. I installed the new rubber plug and cleaned the casing of all wet stuff. Now to clean the driveway to see if it is still dripping, even though it did not seem to loose any all the while it was dripping. Maybe I filled it till it was coming out of the fill hole last time and it was too full.

BTW .... the For Sale sign came off when I measured the 2.5 quarts. Even though it looks like new lower control arm bushings and engine mounts are next on the list for this car.