I just filled my new (<1000 mi.) CD009 transmission with Redline MT-85.

The transmission originally came full of Nissan's Manual Transmission Fluid, and that's what I ran for the first 1000 miles or so. From day one the transmission was balky, notchy, and generally no fun to drive--regardless of temperature. It improved slightly as time went on, but not enough.

This weekend I switched to Redline's MT-85, and I will not be going back. Immediately my second and third shifts were smooth and quick, like they should have been in the first place. Fourth, fifth, and sixth felt fine as well, but they always have. Even this morning with temps near freezing, the transmission worked great.

In the spirit of full disclosure, when I removed the fill plug for the transmission, a LOT of fluid leaked out, suggesting to me that the transmission had been overfilled. The factory service manual says that one of the first things to check when the transmission is "hard to shift or will not shift" is whether the trans fluid level is too high. When I refilled with Redline, I filled to the fill plug, but not above. Make of this what you will.

In short, I highly recommend the Redline.

 

Thanks for the info. I would think that from the factory the tranny isn't filled until it is on the car so overfilling wouldn't be likely. I'd guess they filled your replacement tranny before installing it; I don't see how else they could overfill it.

I have 2 parts MTL to 1 part MT-90 in mine, but the shifting is somewhat worse than the factory fill. I may have to try the new MT85.

 

That's a really good point. I was wondering how it was even possible to overfill the thing, but you're right, if they filled it before it was on the car, I guess it could happen.

 

I'm about to change my manual transmission fluid in the next few days. I've heard pros and cons about not using the recommended nissan oil. I have 44K miles and I think i'll give the redline a try and just dump it if i don't like.

 

I had read generally bad reviews about switching away from Nissan fluid as well. However, as I recall most if not all of those reviews dealt with thicker (i.e., 75w90) aftermarket fluids; the MT-85 is thinner, just like Nissan's MTF (75w85). Maybe that's the difference?

 

You're probably right. Redline just came out with this 85 weight in September 2010. I think you used to have to mix MTL and the 90 weight to get the desired weight.

 

I'm not sure if the word "weight " is the correct term, but you know what I mean...

1st number is Weight?
2nd is viscosity - right?

 

I previously had bad experience with redline MT-90 so switched back to Nissan MTF-85. Also if your still under warranty and use other than Nissan MT oil it will void any type of warranty for your tranny.

 

Oem gear oil is usually the safest for our manual transmissions.

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