Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV 5600 and Penzoil Syncromesh

[Straight6Jeff]

This is based soley upon my experience. About two thousand miles ago, my transmission began to shift a little hard, so I dumped the factory fluid (changed once at 22K), and filled witht he Syncromesh. IT shifted great for about a week, then it started to get tough to get into gear, and the shifts were more notchy than ususal. This morning I dumped the Penzoil out and refilled with the Mopar reccommended fluid. Mcuh better shifts now. Smoother and I can actually engage first.





I guess time will tell if it was the fluid, or something is going south in the transmission.

 

[dresslered]

Interesting, I was under the impression that it was the same stuff?

 

[Straight6Jeff]

I compared the syncromesh with the mopar stuff. I realize the addative packages may be different, but they smell, look, feel different. I think I'll stick with the mopar stuff for a while and see if the shifting gets' worse.

 

[cam4g63]

Just to provide another data point. I switched to the Penzzoil Synchromesh at 20,000 miles or so and now have 49,000 miles on my truck. The transmission shifted the same after the change in fluid as it did before. In fact, the transmission's shift characteristics have always been a slight hang up going into third when cold. I think I will try Redline MTL next. Anyone tried this fluid before? I've heard one positive comment only about the Redline MTL from a NW Bomber.

 

[InThinAir]

I have had the MTL in for around 20k. I would say that when I changed the lube it needed it bad. I had about 60k on when I changed and now had a hair under 80k.



My impressions were that it made a vast improvement in shifting. But I changed because I REALLY needed to, was getting hard to shift. Lifetime lube my ass.



To say that it shifted better after the change then it did at maybe 15k after the transmission had broken in a little and the lube was still good. I would have to say a little. I still have some gear clash on hard/fast/power shifts into 5th. But I believe that the redline is a better lube than the oem stuff and does shift better at lower temps than the oem stuff did ever. I never have any cold weather clash. It is a little spendy but not much more than the oem stuff and was easier for me to get.



---Doug

 

[mhenon]

Penn Synchromesh

I changed transmission fluid at 20,000 for rough notchy shifting. After looking over all the post about which fluid to use, I went with the Pennzoil stuff. My warranty is still intact and the stuff really did seem to help with the rough shifting.

Now, after putting about 20,000 more miles on, with lots of heavy towing, I´m right back to the notchy shifts. Just bought another 4 quarts of Pennzoil and I´ll change it out again.

There is ¨no¨lifetime oil in my opinion... and if you work it hard the stuff will break down. The Pennzoil is cheap and available so I think I´ll just change it out every 20k.



Mike

 

[InThinAir]

Could you explain how your warranty is still intact?



I thought the only lube that maintains your warranty is the oem texaco stuff?



---Doug

 

[dresslered]

It was my understanding that the Texaco stuff was discontinued and that Penzoil was the direct replacement now. Makes you wonder what the Mopar stuff is now. I may be wrong as I was once before.

 

[Chief USA]

The Pennzoil Syncromesh meets Chrysler Specification MS-9224. His warranty is good. The original lube is Texaco MTX 1894 and it is a proprietary lubricant which is not sold to the public directly. You pay the "value based price" at the Dodge parts counter. At least that is my understanding.

 

[Wiredawg]

Quaker State Synchromesh...

Quaker State Synchromesh is the same as Penzoil Synchromesh. I changed mine out to install Fast Coolers. Seems to shift about the same as factory fluid. Quaker State is also listed as a direct replacement for Mopar.



Just curious: I wonder if shifting problems on the 6spds is more an issue of design of the transmission than the type of fluid used? I've read lots of posts about hard shifts and problems w/ synchros.



My former 2000 2500 had almost 60K miles and my 02 3500 has nearly 32K miles: both trucks shift(ed) a little stiff after all those miles.



Wiredawg

 

[mhenon]

Pennzoil synchromesh

Like the other here have said the Pennzoil is an acceptable replacement fluid as far as DC is concerned. It´s just alot cheaper than what the dealer has (isn´t everything?).

As far as the rough shifting... . I guess if our little Jetta shifted like the Dodge I´d be off to the dealer. This is, however, a huge transmission and I´m hauling around 18,000lbs total. It´s a truck. . I don´t know if it will ever be silky smooth. I´m kind of amazed at how nice it does shift with new oil. If you look over a bunch of threads on this subject it looks to me that 20k miles seems to be the break point for the oil. Doesn´t matter what type your using... mopar. . Redline... Pennzoil or whatever. They all seem to get used up after 20k or so.

It´s not that big of a job to change it out so I´m just going to let the transmission tell me when it needs a re-fill. If it´s over-maintance so be it... can´t hurt anything.



Mike

 

[CFAR]

Changed mine about 30k, (Penzoil) looked brand new, only changed to put on fast coolers. Checked at 48k still looks good, but then I don't tow heavy often.

 

[Hohn]

I switched to MTL @ about 12K miles. Instant improvement. Still shift pretty decent. It can be really scary when cold (near zero), as things tend to grind if you don't rev it up high enough before you shift.



Once the trans is warm, it shifts like butter.



Justin

 

[mhenon]

Pennzoil

I just changed out the transmission fluid. Man... this stuff sure looks light. Amsoil claims its just 5w 30 engine oil and it looks just about that weight. I´m beginning to wonder if this isn´t some simple engine oil with a ¨special¨additive package. Also wonder how ¨special¨ that additive really is.

It does shift just a little better though. Not a huge change but noticeable. I´ll know for sure when I tow again. Thats when it really got scratchy.

I still have to believe there´s a better oil out there. Pennzoil is the bottom of the pile, in my opinion, and if there was anything else approved... and synthetic... . and would last Iéd give it a try.

For the price though. . well. . guess I´ll keep using it.

Mike

 

[Heavy Metal]

Redline MTL 21,000 miles ago (100,000). I've never had hard shifting problems that some here describe-actually shifts pretty smooth considering it's a heavy duty pickup, just a tad notchy. Less so with MTL.



Bryan