G56 fluid ?

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I've already searched and I don't feel like wasting more time. I've got 5 gallons of Amsoil ATF left over from my '06. The manual says to use Mopar ATF+4, but some here in the past said not to. Can I use my Amsoil? Why or why not?

 

[Regcabguy]

I used it for 22K. Came out pink but had to go thicker with the SBC. 7 qts keeps everything lubed better.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Was it gravelly sounding for you? Do you think you needed to go thicker due to the warmer weather there? It's getting colder here and maybe the thinner fluid would be ok?

 

[Regcabguy]

No. Chucking the dmf causes it. Horribly gravelly with ATF. I'm using Amsoil MTG now on the advice of some Canadians in Alberta. It's the slickest stuff yet.

 

[Grey Wolf]

Amsoil MTG here too for about three years. DMF gone....

 

[hlconwayjr]

Just chiming in I have read several discussions on this topic and I still have the same burning question. Why did Dodge RAM engineers decide use ATF+4 in the Mercedes Benz G56 whiled the Mercedes Benz engineers recommend SAE 50W gear oil? Not to stir up a hornet nest but these trucks are just that trucks. if smooth shifting, undesirable growling, and other 'NON' truck features are that important to an owner maybe another truck/vehicle should be considered. Or crank up the stereo.

As long as my left leg holds up I'll keep on clutching it.

My 2¢ worth

Huey
2016 Tradesman G56
2006 SLT Big Horn G56 210k
1996 SLT NV4500 425k sold
1991 D250 5 speed. 125k sold

 

[RVTRKN]

The gear ratios were a lot higher making it easier on the trans as well as a higher ratio diff. They are medium duty trucks they went into. However they changed ratios for the CTD, to make it more acceptable to our graphics and market. So the trans runs hotter with a 50wt oil. The ATF has been used in the past for manuals and sheds the heat better, as well as doesn't attack the brass syncros, they thought they were doing good. End of the day if you run a heavy weight oil, monitor the temps.

 

[EDankievitch]

I tried the Amsoil +4 aft back when I had me 05 with the G56. I found the fluid seemed too thin the syncro's didn't seem to work right. after much research on here I ended up running Pensoil syncromesh. I now understand that Blue Purple has their own syncormesh fluid blended to protect the metals used in the G56. This lube gave me the best temp performance and kept the gear quiet. I did try the lube spec'd out be Dalmer/Mercades (sp?) only to find the gear was un-shiftable at temps below 30 degrees F. I had roughly 250,000 miles on that 05 when I traded it in. The factory clutch lasted 136,000 miles.

 

[Regcabguy]

The Amsoil MTG 75-90 is the bomb. Slick shifts and quiets the trans after a smf conversion. I've drank the Kool-Aid and tried everything the MTG is perfect.

 

[RVTRKN]

What is the normal temperature it runs at?

 

[Newsa]

I changed my g56 fluid with amsoil ATF.

Also as shown in the attached picture, you see I installed the Fast Coolers on both PTO ports.

I removed the shift tower/lever and put in 9 quarts. Many are saying the owners manual specifies 6 quarts. The capacity of each cooler is about 1 at each. And most recommend an extra at...... all poured in through the top.

First time I have pulled this apart. I found this little black fluid release that you can see in front of the red shift boot. It was a little slippery like it had releases a little oil.

Guessing that at high temp when fluid expands and traveling at high speed, a little fluid can escape the top. Wondering if adding the extra quart makes this fluid release more likely?

In total, I added 9 quarts. (2 two gallon containers and an extra quart)

 

[Newsa]

I changed my g56 fluid with amsoil ATF.

Also as shown in the attached picture, you see I installed the Fast Coolers on both PTO ports.

I removed the shift tower/lever and put in 9 quarts. Many are saying the owners manual specifies 6 quarts. The capacity of each cooler is about 1 at each. And most recommend an extra at...... all poured in through the top.

First time I have pulled this apart. I found this little black fluid release that you can see in front of the red shift boot. It was a little slippery like it had releases a little oil.

Guessing that at high temp when fluid expands and traveling at high speed, a little fluid can escape the top. Wondering if adding the extra quart makes this fluid release more likely?

In total, I added 9 quarts. (2 two gallon containers and an extra quart)

Here's the picture with the fluid release

 

[RVTRKN]

I fill mine until it seeps out of fill/inspection hole, then add one quart. I don't remove the boot when doing it, I pull the oil in with my pump sending the oil through the heat exchanger first then into the trans as it fills. You can pump it with a hand pump into the fill hole as I did prior to my cooler, its a lot less work.

 

[Newsa]

I find it interesting that the specs for the G56 say it holds 4.95 qts. But on all the forums, everyone seems to think it holds 6 its stock.

And many are recommending adding the 7th quart. That would be 2 quarts over what the G56 spec is online.

I added 9 at a because nobody seems to be having trouble with the 7. But I increased the sump size by 2 qts by adding the coolers

 

[RVTRKN]

The OEM level should be at the fill plug, regardless of the advertised capacity. Fill till it seeps out of fill hole then add a quart, its the only accurate way to have it one quart overfull. Anything else is guessing.

 

[AH64ID]

From my research and feedback on fluid I have sold the Amsoil MTG seems to be the closest to the OEM specs and gets the best reviews.

 

[Newsa]

I fill mine until it seeps out of fill/inspection hole, then add one quart. I don't remove the boot when doing it, I pull the oil in with my pump sending the oil through the heat exchanger first then into the trans as it fills. You can pump it with a hand pump into the fill hole as I did prior to my cooler, its a lot less work.

Pulling the boot off wasn't too bad. Just alot.of screws. Gave me an opportunity to clean up some of those hard to reach coffee spills.

 

[Regcabguy]

From my research and feedback on fluid I have sold the Amsoil MTG seems to be the closest to the OEM specs and gets the best reviews.

Yeah,the Amsoil 75-90 MTG is the slickest shifting fluid to date for me. It was recommended by a member from Alberta, who uses it in that cold climate.

 

[Newsa]

From my research and feedback on fluid I have sold the Amsoil MTG seems to be the closest to the OEM specs and gets the best reviews.

By OEM do you mean Ram or MB?

 

[Killgore]

If I remember correctly, MB specs Mobil SHC-MB which is no longer available in this country. Independent testing has confirmed that Delvac 50 is the closest oil meeting this spec that is currently available here.

- Ed