Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV5600 oil options

[Duluth Diesel]

I asked Amsoil what I can put in my 5600 and they said:

"

In response to your inquiry,



Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As always, please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.



The NV5600 transmission uses basically motor oil such as our AMSOIL Synthetic 5W30 Motor Oil (ASL) or AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W30 Heavy Duty Diesel (HDD).



Thank you,

Jim Van

AMSOIL Technical Services

"



IS THIS RIGHT?!?!? And my dealer is telling me that the fluid in my 5600 is "lifetime" fluid. When should I change it???

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Yeah, yeah, I see I put this in the wrong place. NO engine/transmission!

 

[InThinAir]

Some folks have said that they are running Amsoil 5-30 with good results. So I would say that what Amsoil told you is correct.



I am running Redline MTL in mine with good results.



You are voiding your warranty by not using the prescribed lube.



And yes they do say that it is a lifetime lube. I changed mine at 60k because it was gettin pretty hard to shift. The Redline definately made a difference there. I would have changed it at 50k if I knew that it would have saved some wear.



---Doug

 

[Texas Diesel]

I am running Royal Purple Synchromax in my 5600 and Transfer case with good results.



I have had 5600 failures and went looking for a better lubricant, this is what the OEM lube looked like when I drained it:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=2213&width=2



Caveat here, ANY lube other than OEM will (possibly) void your warranty, atleast that is what is written on the PTO covers of my 5600. Since the OEM's only want it to last long enough to get out of warranty I decided to use what I thought was best for the long run.

 

[TomGolden]

I went from the OEM lube to Amsoil Series 3000 5W-30 oil at about 35K miles on the truck. I just passed 75K last week. I plan to change out the lube in my transmission at 30 - 50K intervals. I am still on the first batch of the Amsoil in my transmission, and to date have had zero issues.



Tom

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Did you notice an improvement in shifting feel when you switched to Amsoil?

 

[klenger]

http://www.klenger.net/dodge/nv5600-fluid.html

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Seen that before. What are the Dodge requirements for the oil for the 5600, and do the Amsoil products meet those requirements. I want to put in something that performs better at subzero temperatures, which is where I experience most shifting tightness.

 

[Texas Diesel]

The only 'approved' oil is the OEM stuff. Any other claims are conjecture. That does not mean there the products, Amsoil, Redline, or Royal Purple wont work, just that none of them meet OEM REQUIREMENTS, i. e. , tested and certified by NV. Read your owners manual and PTO covers.



And yes, I did think the 5600 shifted better with RP, noticed a 10*F drop in operating temp too.

 

[InThinAir]

Dodge requires a specific lube be in the NV5600 not that the lube meets or exceeds a certain set off requirements. Your choices are simple for which lubes. Take the part number off the side of the PTO cover and go to the dealer and buy that lube or their equivalent of that lube (that Pennzoil I think). Or buy a better quality lube and hope that your transmission doesn't fail because you have voided your warranty on that specific part.



It is definately a ridiculous Dodge thing, but that is the facts.



Sorry



---Doug

 

[athompson]

I wouldn't use engine oil.

Engine oil if formulated to lube the ENGINE. The transmission requires different formulation. That's not to say that engine oil won't work just fine, but these transmissions are too expensive to chance it IMO.



My 5600 was starting to shift harder so I changed it with Penzoil Syncromesh from Autozone. #ad
The Penzoil is the same as the factory fill. The shifting improved a little, but I was expecting more.



There are threads that say that the Redline MTL help a lot

 

[rkressg]

With the synchronizers used in the nv5600, the Amsoil series 3000 5w30 HDD oil has caused my transmission to shift very smoothly. I never have any grinding between shifts, no matter how cold it is outside.



I change the oil every 25,000 miles by removing the drivers side pto cover plate and I also remove the magnet out of the bottom and throughly clean it.



I know others who have run the red line oil, but I personally like the Amsoil better. I think the transmissions shift smoothest with the Amsoil.



For the cost of changing the oil, change it frequently to get a longer life out of the transmission. D/C does not want you to change the oil, that way the transmission wears out faster and you will bring the truck back for a new transmission at the dealer, or possibly just buy a new truck.



just my 2c.

-Rich

 

[Mad Bomber]

transmission oil

I'm running Red line MTL in my 5600. Peter @ South Bend said that's one of the best to run with.

 

[amsoilman]

This is what my 2003 Repair manual says:



DESCRIPTION - MANUAL TRANSMISSION



NOTE: DaimlerChrysler recommends using Mopar

lubricants or lubricants of equal quality.



NV-5600 Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant. There is no data plate on my transmission that says I have to use any particular brand.



I am using the series 3000 5W-30 in mine, and have done so for the last 20,000 miles with great results. Cold weather shifting has been much better than when the OEM stuff was in it, and is much smoother shifting.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Chief USA]

This horse has been beat to death

dried up and blew away.



Long story short... ... ... . use the specified trans. fluid in your NV5600 or expect to be your own warranty station in the event of a lubrication related failure. Read this link:





click here

 

[Mad Bomber]

We are

I am my warranty station that's also why I bomb it. and enjoy it.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by RGilbert

I think the transmissions shift smoothest with the Amsoil.

How many different lubes have you tried?



Quote: "amsoilman This is what my 2003 Repair manual says:



DESCRIPTION - MANUAL TRANSMISSION



NOTE: DaimlerChrysler recommends using Mopar

lubricants or lubricants of equal quality.



NV-5600 Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant. There is no data plate on my transmission that says I have to use any particular brand. "



Yours may not say that but they are as plain as day on mine and I suspect others. RE: the part about "equal quality", can you post the exact wording for the transmission oil?

 

[rkressg]

.

Factory and Amsoil. My friend is running the redline, but it does not shift any where as smooth as mine.



On the pto cover, there should be both a mopar and GM part Number for acceptable fluid to use in the 5600 transmission. I would go and get them, but my truck is currently buried in snow.



I can only say what I have heard and what I have tried. My transmission shifts very smooth. The truck is way out of warranty, so I really do not care about the dealer and any warranty complaints. Just as a side note, my dealer was so corrupt, they went out of business.



I also deal my transmission a fair amount of abuse. If it wants to grind, I don't care. I will just back it out of gear and slam it in. If it breakes, it breaks!



I always run all my vehicals with this mentality, "If it ain't broke, try harder!".

 

[amsoilman]

Tejas Deezul

Royal Purple Dealer



DESCRIPTION - MANUAL TRANSMISSION



NOTE: DaimlerChrysler recommends using Mopar

lubricants or lubricants of equal quality.



That is the exact wording for the NV-5600 MANUAL TRANSMISSION for my 03' CTD.



Perhaps DC finally ralized they can't put a particular "Brand" of oil etc. on the transmission in question, without supplying it to the customer free.



However, on the other side of the coin, they (DC) say the lube from the factory is good for the duration, so by the time the drive train hits 70,000, it's out of warranty anyway!

 

[tom sweeney]

i am using Redline MTL with 8oz Prolong tran. treatment

shifts like a champ... . 115k on the truck... . about 30k with this oil.