[The Specialist]

18 1LE M6

Question?

My manual trans shifts and runs 100% like butter.
So I thought.
Only 3500 Miles on it, it's my nice weather summer car only.
The past few nights the temperature has dropped into the low 40's.
Twice now I've started her and let her warm for two minutes while I fix my hair. Lol.
She won't go in reverse so I can back out of my garage.
I've tried all the little tricks. Run the clutch pedal in and out and try again.
Try the other gears first and then try reverse.
2nd and third went in, when I went for reverse she grinded.
After driving several miles there were no issues.
Just the past few cool nights at first start up.
Has anyone changed out the fluid in their manual trans to something else?
I'm thinking maybe I should drain it and go with a Mobil 1 Synthetic.
Is this normal when the weather starts getting cold?

[KLG]

Hmmm, doesn't sound like a transmission fluid issue to me, but, you never know.

To answer your first question, yes. In my case, I switched to Royal Purple Synchromax.

For your second question, I've never had that experience, but, I am generally not driving in temperatures less than 50 degrees and the temperature in my garage in rarely below 55 degrees.

[MatthewAMEL]

Had intermittent hard shifts into reverse after a year with my OEM fluid. Never any issues with grinding.


I track my car so I change the tranny and diff fluid pretty regularly. I switched to Redline D4 last year and noticed improvement in my cold shifting vs OEM.


I still use OEM fluid in my diff.

[The Specialist]

My M6 2012 Corvette acted similar when the temperature dropped down.
I didn't have any issue getting her into reverse, but, for the first several miles I could feel the gears rolling around while I shifted. After she warmed up there was no issue.

[VinnAY]

They're always fussy when cold though a fluid change can help to some extent.

[The Specialist]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

They're always fussy when cold though a fluid change can help to some extent.

Yes, both my Grand Sport Vette and this 1LE are cold manual trans fussy.

I looked through my manual and it doesn't show exactly what is used in the manual trans. Only the GM part number.

# 88861800.

Is it a common 80\90 gear lube?

I'd like to switch to Mobil1 full synthetic if possible.

[Peelam]

Originally Posted by The Specialist

Yes, both my Grand Sport Vette and this 1LE are cold manual trans fussy.

I looked through my manual and it doesn't show exactly what is used in the manual trans. Only the GM part number.

# 88861800.

Is it a common 80\90 gear lube?

I'd like to switch to Mobil1 full synthetic if possible.

GM #88861800 is a modified DEX III ATF. All TR6060's use a variation of an ATF http://www.tremec.com/anexos/TREMEC_TR-6060_1017.pdf. Redline D4 works well for some. I had better luck with the cold shifts using Amsoil Torque Drive. However I still get crunchy/notchy shifts from 1-2 & 2-3 most times, even when warmed up, unless i'm really getting on it. Although I did buy my SS used with just under 24k in 2018 and I don't know how the previous owner drove it.

[AD17SS1LE]

I just changed my trans fluid, I used Tremec fluid. It is not ATF fluid, it is specifically for the Tremec manual transmissions. I had some notchy shifts when it was cold. Now it is like butter cold or hot. I have not had any issue shifting into any gear. You may want to check the reverse lock out sensor. The skip shift sensor is next to the fill plug and the reverse lock out is a little further back. Here is the link for the fluid, it is about the same price as Royal Purple. https://www.tremec-store.com/product...smission-fluid

[The Specialist]

Originally Posted by AD17SS1LE

I just changed my trans fluid, I used Tremec fluid. It is not ATF fluid, it is specifically for the Tremec manual transmissions. I had some notchy shifts when it was cold. Now it is like butter cold or hot. I have not had any issue shifting into any gear. You may want to check the reverse lock out sensor. The skip shift sensor is next to the fill plug and the reverse lock out is a little further back. Here is the link for the fluid, it is about the same price as Royal Purple. https://www.tremec-store.com/product...smission-fluid

I'm going to say the hell with it. I only have two or so more weeks before she's covered and stored.
Now, I've been parking her in garage shutting down in Reverse.
This way there's no screwing around. After I start her up, she's already in Reverse.
I slowly back out of my 125' driveway and then go for 1st. She goes into 1st a little rough, but at least she goes in.
After several miles all is good.

[BlueinTN]

While you letting your car warm up row thru the rears a few times. Even at idle youll get oil to the other gear sets.


Do not use 80w/90 GL5 rated on any trans that has brass in it the newer additives will eat into them. I went to straight 40 weight motor oil on all my older manual transmissions. Like said above the 6060 does NOT use gear oil.

[The Specialist]

Originally Posted by BlueinTN

While you letting your car warm up row thru the rears a few times. Even at idle youll get oil to the other gear sets.


Do not use 80w/90 GL5 rated on any trans that has brass in it the newer additives will eat into them. I went to straight 40 weight motor oil on all my older manual transmissions. Like said above the 6060 does NOT use gear oil.

Ok, sounds good. I'm learning something new every day with this car.
I get Mobil products at cost, so far, I don't see anything that they offer for this 6060 trans.

[6spdhyperblue]

Originally Posted by The Specialist

Ok, sounds good. I'm learning something new every day with this car.
I get Mobil products at cost, so far, I don't see anything that they offer for this 6060 trans.

Their dex iii atf

Common choice over on ls1tech

[The Specialist]

Originally Posted by AD17SS1LE

I just changed my trans fluid, I used Tremec fluid. It is not ATF fluid, it is specifically for the Tremec manual transmissions. I had some notchy shifts when it was cold. Now it is like butter cold or hot. I have not had any issue shifting into any gear. You may want to check the reverse lock out sensor. The skip shift sensor is next to the fill plug and the reverse lock out is a little further back. Here is the link for the fluid, it is about the same price as Royal Purple. https://www.tremec-store.com/product...smission-fluid

The Skip Shift Sensor? Another question of mine. This seems to have gone away after 1500 miles. It's gone, I can't get that 2nd gear lock out to activate for nothing.

[AD17SS1LE]

The skip shift sensor will force you to shift from 1st to 4th under light/moderate acceleration. You can get an aftermarket sensor that eliminates this feature. There is also a reverse lockout sensor as well. I suspect there may be an issue with your reverse lockout sensor. Here is a link to a thread for a member that may have installed the aftermarket skip shift sensor in the reverse lockout sensor. I like your work around of shutting down in reverse.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543926