Miata Mailing List: July 1993, Message #23
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   From: stortek!Steve_Grossman@csn.org (Steve Grossman)
Subject: Re: Transmission Oil
   Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1993 12:24:14 -0400



> From: Mike Rother 
> Subject: Transmission Oil
> Date: 	Fri, 2 Jul 1993 09:27:48 -0400
>
> 	"We put in 80W-90 or ATF - depending on what comes out of
> 	 the transmission."
>
> The service person went on to explain that many Mazdas (incl Miatas)
> come from the factory with ATF in the manual transmission - to make
> cold-weather shifting easier.
>
> What do you think of this?

I hope he said this with a smile.  I think (IMHO) that it's either a joke
or the guy is full of sh*t.  The only reason ATF should come out of the
tranny is if it's an AT (Automatic Tranny).  ATF (at least in my understanding
flame me if I'm wrong) is a hydraulic fluid, not a lubricating fluid.
It's properties are consistent with a hydraulic fluid, not a lubricant, and
as such would not be suitable for manual transmission lubricant.  I know for
a fact that my Miata came from the factory with the good old stinky 80W
gear oil used in gear boxes for a long time.  If it had had ATF, I'd have
changed it to gear oil 3 yrs 9 months ago when I first pulled the plug to
make sure they had filled it up at the factory.

Steve

p.s. Ever heard of the Jesus pin in the Miata transmission?
When it falls out, you say Oh JESUS!
(Jesus pins mythical parts like muffler bearings)