ATF in manual transmission?

Apparently my 98 E36 M3 requires ATF for the transmission (it's a manual); Turner Motorsports recommends the Redline D4 ATF. What's the difference between ATF and manual gear oils, and what advantage would it offer?

I'm not questioning either BMW or Turner -- but I am curious to know more.

Rob

ATF is super thin, gear oil is molasses. Most modern manual gearboxes use ATF for gas mileage reasons as well as tighter clearances and a better "feel". All T-5's, T-56's, and Tremec's use ATF. It's fairly common (and nice). You can totally tell the difference between shifting my old T-5 and the FB RX-7's 5-Speed (which used gear oil). The T-5 was much smoother and both had fresh fluid and shifter bushings.

(Baffled - is that a canoe?)

I was a little weirded out by it too, but after a flush with ATF my M3 is fine.

My 90 Celica called for ATF, it had me floored too when I found out.

I like to use ATF in my carburetor dashpot, didn't know it was specified for manual gearboxes. I learn something new everytime I log on to GRM.

In reply to TJ:

I learned to do that with my Spit from a guy who had been working on LBC since they were new.

81gtv6 wrote: My 90 Celica called for ATF, it had me floored too when I found out.

Originally, yes.... A TSB changed that requirement to 75w-90.

If ATF is good, is synthetic ATF better?

Maybe synthetic isn't the right word, I'm thinking of Lucas save-the-baby et al.

Dan

93celicaGT2 wrote:

81gtv6 wrote: My 90 Celica called for ATF, it had me floored too when I found out.

Originally, yes.... A TSB changed that requirement to 75w-90.

I could'a swore either my Celica or my Corolla said in the manual that it could use either ATF or GL-4 (5?).

914Driver wrote: If ATF is good, is synthetic ATF better? Maybe synthetic isn't the right word, I'm thinking of Lucas save-the-baby et al. Dan

Royal Purple Synchromax. It's a synthetic wonder oil for ATF sipping manual transmissions. GREAT stuff!

I have the royal purple ready to go into the Bimmer.. just need to get my saab on the road first so I can take the Ti off to get some serious work done to her

914Driver wrote: If ATF is good, is synthetic ATF better? Dan

Works miracles in high mileage turbo brick autos!

ReverendDexter wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote:

81gtv6 wrote: My 90 Celica called for ATF, it had me floored too when I found out.

Originally, yes.... A TSB changed that requirement to 75w-90.

I could'a swore either my Celica or my Corolla said in the manual that it could use either ATF or GL-4 (5?).

The Celica did in the manual, yes... but the dealerships received a TSB afterwards that said 75w-90, at least for the 5th gen Celicas.

Me? I run Acura Syncromesh MTF fluid. It's awesome.

On the TR7 and TR8s there was a TSB that called for a change to ATF. The gear oil was so thick when cold that is would break the oil pump. ATF worked OK.

I've run Redline D4 ATF in my 98' M3 for 3 years and am pleased with how the box feels. I have a light flywheel so at idle there's a little noise, but it's not bad.

BTW, when your trans develops "lazy 5th gear gate" and lever droops to the right (which it will - they all do) there's a retrofit available from BMW which allows replacement of the detent pins and springs without opening the case. The trans has to come out, but it's not too hateful a job.

My Aspire's manual transmission takes ATF. I found out the hard way that when you pull the CV off, you lose all of the fluid from the transmission.

maroon92 wrote: My Aspire's manual transmission takes ATF. I found out the hard way that when you pull the CV off, you lose all of the fluid from the transmission.

Oh, and that pretty red ATF on the floor was Mobil1 synthetic ATF.

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

maybe I should have tried that, the 3rd gear sychro was way gone on that car when I sold it, though it did have almost 300K on by then.

hey sup the ATF or bureau of alcohol tobacco firearms and explosives was formed in 1886 as part of the bureau of revenue until theys became the bureau of alcohol tobacco firearms and explosives

JeepinMatt wrote: hey the bureau of alcohol tobacco firearms and explosives . . .

Favourite line from Drew Carey ever? When Drew says they are going to get drunk, smoke cigars, and shoot pistols, then call the ATF and thank them for the good idea.

My understanding was that most ATFs are based off of 5w20 oil that is dyed, synthesized, and/or had a bunch of detergents added. My Honda calls for basic 10W30 for the 5 speed gearbox.

81gtv6 wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: maybe I should have tried that, the 3rd gear sychro was way gone on that car when I sold it, though it did have almost 300K on by then.

Yeah, the Acura stuff is pretty amazing. My old car was developing a slight crunch, and it went away when flushed and replaced with the Acura fluid. I don't know what they put in it, and i dont care. It works.

I believe that atf began as a synthetic substitute for whale oil.

How many miles can a whale go between oil changes?