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BIG PSI
10-25-2012, 06:23 PM
I recently bought a 1990 Dodge Caravan Base with the 2.5 EFI motor and a 5 speed manual trans.
My questions is what type of fluid should I run in it ?
I want to change it asap.
Question two is how much fluid does it take to fill, once the fluid is drained ?

Thanks
Chuck
cordes
10-25-2012, 06:28 PM
I use straight 5W30. IIRC the FSM suggest 2.3 quarts, but I usually jack up the driver's side of the car a ways and fill it until it runs out of the fill hole.
turbovanmanČ
10-25-2012, 06:35 PM
5w30, but some of us prefer Synchromesh or Redline MTL.

IF you don't install a drain plug, you'll probably get 1-1.5L litres out.
BIG PSI
10-25-2012, 06:35 PM
You mean motor oil in the transmission ?
turbovanmanČ
10-25-2012, 06:37 PM
You mean motor oil in the transmission ?

Yes, that was factory fill, just like the later tranny's used ATF.

I like MTL or Synchromesh as its synthetic, better wear properties but don't use synthetic engine oil, its too slick and the synchro's can't speed up properly.
cordes
10-25-2012, 06:43 PM
Yes, that was factory fill, just like the later tranny's used ATF.

I like MTL or Synchromesh as its synthetic, better wear properties but don't use synthetic engine oil, its too slick and the synchro's can't speed up properly.

Some of them did come with auto trans fluid in them.
roachjuice
10-25-2012, 06:54 PM
Yep. I run 5W-30 in my manual. Works great. Buy 3 quarts.
turbovanmanČ
10-25-2012, 07:38 PM
Some of them did come with auto trans fluid in them.

I've never seen that yet, :p
cordes
10-25-2012, 07:40 PM
I've never seen that yet, :p

I think it was the earlier transmissions.
turbovanmanČ
10-25-2012, 08:03 PM
I think it was the earlier transmissions.

I know the older auto's had a separate sump and used gear oil but so far, all i've seen is engine oil, but then, haven't seen too many older cars.
dixiedodge7369
10-25-2012, 09:43 PM
I use this stuff called gorilla juice... It's made my lazar smith. Lazarsmith.com. It was specially formulated for the G56 trans used in dodge pickups w/diesels which is factory filled with ATF. I was running synchromesh in my G56 till I found this stuff and it's great... I had some left over so I through it in the omni and it worked great... Just my two cents

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 PM ----------

That's lazarsmith.com/transmission
tryingbe
10-25-2012, 09:57 PM
I've never seen that yet, :p

Really? I've seen ATF and gear lube in A555... :(

Some people like high ZDDP oil in their transmission. Mobil High Mileage oil have higher ZDDP than most other oil out there.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf
88C/S
10-26-2012, 05:21 AM
Think in '88 factory switched from ATF to 5W30. Have an '87 A555 with ATF in it that I pulled from a Shelby, and an '88 that had 5W30 pulled from an '88 Shelby.
Gearhead24-7
10-26-2012, 09:23 AM
After going thru a pile of bearings in my 555 with 5w30, I switched to straight SAE30 non detergent. Supposedly non detergent oil had rediculous film strength. 4 years so far, no troubles.
BIG PSI
10-26-2012, 03:29 PM
After going thru a pile of bearings in my 555 with 5w30, I switched to straight SAE30 non detergent. Supposedly non detergent oil had rediculous film strength. 4 years so far, no troubles.

I will try straight weight 30 then.....
Thanks guys as always.

Chuck
BadAssPerformance
10-26-2012, 03:32 PM
If you plan to drive it in the winter I would not use SAE30, the "5w" cold weight of the 5w30 will help a ton in colder weather. I had 10w40 in a A520 once and you had to warm the car up before it would shift... sucked
turbovanmanČ
10-26-2012, 04:07 PM
After going thru a pile of bearings in my 555 with 5w30, I switched to straight SAE30 non detergent. Supposedly non detergent oil had rediculous film strength. 4 years so far, no troubles.

That's why we switch to synchromesh or MTL.
BIG PSI
10-26-2012, 08:23 PM
That's why we switch to synchromesh or MTL.

So do you have a link to the syncromesh fluid ?
turbovanmanČ
10-26-2012, 08:26 PM
So do you have a link to the syncromesh fluid ?

Google or

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1114224
hewhobarksatdogs
11-11-2012, 07:15 PM
I still have the owners manual for my 89 Lancer Shelby TII. Says to put 5w-30 in it. I am running plain ol' 30 weight cause that is what the guy at pep boys showed on the computer.
boost geek
11-11-2012, 09:12 PM
I always us synchromesh with about 1 pint of80\80 gearar oil to protecect the pinion sfaft\ bearing in my charger when it was a daily driver dont use ATF!
thedon809
11-11-2012, 09:35 PM
Neon gets mobil 1 10w30 high mileage and omni gets plain ole 5w30. One good thing about ATF is that it is extremely good at shedding heat. Some jeeps with tow packages used ATF in rear ends.
ScottD
11-11-2012, 09:57 PM
I have always run 5w30. I've been driving these cars since 1989 and have never had an issue with a manual trans.
Tmerritt530
11-11-2012, 10:08 PM
I have ATF in my 523
turbovanmanČ
11-12-2012, 12:51 AM
Neon gets mobil 1 10w30 high mileage and omni gets plain ole 5w30. One good thing about ATF is that it is extremely good at shedding heat. Some jeeps with tow packages used ATF in rear ends.

I would NEVER run ATF in a rear end, that's suicide. No wonder Jeeps chew up rear ends, :(
85boostbox
11-12-2012, 02:12 AM
I would NEVER run ATF in a rear end, that's suicide. No wonder Jeeps chew up rear ends, :(

Jeeps tear up rear ends due to the axle seals going out. Have seen it too many times. Especially on wranglers.
boost geek
11-12-2012, 02:23 AM
JOHN DEERE HYGUARD might be worth a try some racers hsd good uck withit in their autos the hyguard doesnt break down as fast as ATF
5sp. mini
11-12-2012, 07:05 AM
my 86 had atf in it when i drained it to pull motor but it a 86 had never been out yet
turbovanmanČ
11-12-2012, 05:31 PM
Jeeps tear up rear ends due to the axle seals going out. Have seen it too many times. Especially on wranglers.

They are also having issues with bent housings, :(


JOHN DEERE HYGUARD might be worth a try some racers hsd good uck withit in their autos the hyguard doesnt break down as fast as ATF

I switched back to ATF, with my bad converters, found ATF actually lasted longer lol.
thedon809
11-12-2012, 09:34 PM
I would NEVER run ATF in a rear end, that's suicide. No wonder Jeeps chew up rear ends, :(Jeeps chew up rear ends because dana makes them. IIRC the rear end temps were dropped around 70* by using ATF instead of gear lube while towing. How would running ATF in a rear end be any different than ATF lubing up the differential in an a413? I have never seen one use atf, I just heard that it's been done.
shadow88
11-12-2012, 09:40 PM
Jeeps chew up rear ends because dana makes them. IIRC the rear end temps were dropped around 70* by using ATF instead of gear lube while towing. How would running ATF in a rear end be any different than ATF lubing up the differential in an a413? I have never seen one use atf, I just heard that it's been done.

Never seen atf used in a differentail either. Tow packages were usually 75w140 or some other synthetic. Got any dcoumentation to show atf used at the factory?

And to the OP, I like synthetic 5w30 in my 5 speeds.
turismolover22
11-13-2012, 12:47 AM
ATF was factory fill in all TD cars, base or turbo, until 87, when Chrysler decided to switch to 5W-30 in the A-555 and A-520

My 2001 ford ranger stick was factory fill with ATF, most newer vehicles are. They switched back to it in the late 90's I believe. Some companies never switched to oil in manuals
thedon809
11-13-2012, 09:59 AM
Never seen atf used in a differentail either. Tow packages were usually 75w140 or some other synthetic. Got any dcoumentation to show atf used at the factory?

And to the OP, I like synthetic 5w30 in my 5 speeds.I will try and find it in dealerconnect. The teacher told us this when I took axles class.