Use of royalpurple synchromax in NV-5600 ?

[psterkowitz]

I wanted to change my NV-5600 trans fluid. Has anyone used the synthetic royalpurple synchromax yet? I was thinking I might get easier shifting and better cold weather performence. The tech at royalpurple said it exceeded the MS-9224 Spec. Also can I change the fluid out without taking the cover off?

 

[ttreibel]

Redline states to use there MTL in the NV-5600 not sure about the royal purple. I mixxed Redline 75-90 and MTL for my NV-4500 the dealer sold me some fluid that looked like the MTL for my tranni.



I have Royal Purple in my front and rear Diffs they make a great product. Looks like you have the right choice.



http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/scmax.html

 

[DPelletier]

If you're worried about meeting DC's spec, I was under the impression that only the Penzoil was approved. Check out Ken Lenger's site and look under NV-5600 fluid.



Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

TallPall I would not recommend RP at all, but instead Redline MTL. The main reason being the Redline matches DC's specs on proper weight, whereas the RP is a lot thinner stuff.



For example at 100 deg Celsius (which a transmission can realistically see) compare these numbers:



Royal Purple viscosity: 7. 7 http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/scmax.html

Redline MTL viscosity: 10. 6 http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/6.pdf



I'm no tribologist but if I was towing and had the Cummins putting the coals to the fire I'd feel alot better with proper-viscosity synthetic lube in my transmission. The NV5600 requires 30-weight engine oil weight equivalent, which is what the Redline MTL is. I have ran Redline MTL in my '01 and '03 with great results.



Vaughn

 

[jwilliams3]

Get Redline online and INSTOCK at www.synlubes.com

Summit is on backorder until the end of time. '



--Justin

 

[DLeno]

I don't see how RP can claim that it exceeds MS-9224 when it isn't even the same viscosity. MS-9224 may not specifiy viscocity, but clearly the Mopar and Penzoil fluids do. Also, its one thing for a phone tech to say it meets the spec, but quite another to obtain an official company written statement, equivalent to stating such on the bottle.



This subject keeps coming up because there has been no clear answer. It appears that the Penzoil and Mopar fluids are the only one officially stating compliance with MS-9224, but yet I've had Amsoil tell me (over the phone) their fluid also meets this spec. now Amsoil is a reputable company and has great products, but they stopped short of giving me official written confirmation that they meet the Mopar spec.



And I hear nothing but good reports coming from those who have used the Redline product. Is Redline able to provide official written confirmation?



I just wonder whats going on here, when at least two fluids (MTL and Amsoil) appear to meet the spec, and yet something prevents these companies from coming out with an official statement. Its like they either can't meet it, don't want to incur the expense to test it, or Mopar owns the qualification test criteria, and won't agree to let anyone else in to the party.

 

[klenger]

If you're worried about meeting DC's spec, I was under the impression that only the Pennzoil was approved. Check out Ken Lenger's site and look under NV-5600 fluid.



Dave

Here's the link that Dave was refering to: http://www.klenger.net/dodge/general-reference/nv5600-fluid/index.html



If the MS-9224 spec is not called out on the bottle of any fluid, I would assume it does not meet or exceed the specification. It may work, but warranty could be questioned if there is a failure.

 

[DLeno]

yea I know that party line is that Mopar and Penzoil are the only approved ones. but what on earth does that mean and why do we need approval to utilize a consumable fluid? the Factory air box and panel filter is approved also but there is evidence of better filtration performance out of the after market, and we have a test/performance spec to validate against.



But apparently the NV5600 fluid is a deep dark revenue-protected secret with both of the major players all locked in. I just don't get it. Redline and Amsoil either do or do not meet the required performance criteria. which is it?



Or is there some obscure detail of the Mopar spec that makes it impossible to meet all the specs for crankcase oil at the same time? I'm not a lubrication engineer, but something is just not right about this.

 

[DPelletier]

I don't know the answer, Doug. But what I DO know, is that I have absolutely no desire to get into a P***ing contest with my dealer over my trans warranty, if it were to develop a problem, especially since it seems to be shifting and operating perfectly with the mopar fluid now. I may feel differently if I had some notchiness or other issue, but at this stage I can't think of a rational reason NOT to use the Penzoil. Then again, I'm still running the factory airbox and panel filters on my trucks!



Dave

 

[GCecchetto]

I have been doing a lot of research on this lately because I want to get a synthetic fluid in my trans. The factory fluid was Texaco MTL but was made buy another company owned by Texaco. To make a long story short, companys changed hands and the company that made the factory fluid was bought by Shell who also owns Penzoil and Quaker State. You can buy the DC fluid, Penzoil Syncromess, Shell MTL, or Quaker State MTL. They all say on the bottle that they meet the spec. You can print a data sheet from each web page saying they meet the spec. Unfortunatly they are all the same oil and they are NOT synthetic. This information comes from the tech line at Shell lubricants. I have seen some posts saying that the Penzoil product is a synthetic or that people have asked the dealer to put the factory synthetic fluid in their trans and got charged more for it. Something is fishy here because I spoke with a DC parts dept and they have no listing at all for a synthetic fluid for the NV5600 and I can't find one by any other company that says in writing that they meet the spec.



Gino

 

[DLeno]

excellent comments guys. So now we know that there is only one fluid and that it appears with Penzoil, Quaker state or the Mopar lable.



the only motivations I am aware of to switch fluids is targeted at the shifting smoothness, the gear lash noise, and long term durability. The mfg has a very specific goal with the factory configuration, and those goals may not match yours. For example, DC only has to honor the 7/70 warranty and they don't care as much about gear lash noise or even long term durability as you do (hence the lifetime fluid). Some guys have reported quieter and smoother shifting transmission's. That sounds good to me but I gotta have official tracability to the Mopar spec.



maybe there is some obscure spec that a synthetic cannot meet. like coefficient of friction is too low or something.

 

[_Hyde]

I've got the RP in my 5600 and had it in my 01 which had 95k on it when I got the new truck. I ran 2 different Amsoil 5W-30 lubes in the 01 also. Never any trouble with any of them. I'm sure the Redline will work fine also and no doubt find you will find several satisfied users here. One of the things I like about RP is its availability at Napa stores. Just like synthetic oil in the engine, you have a choice to make, and after all its your truck. Might make your first born child come out naked though. As for info on the RP there is a member on TDR that works for them, perhaps he can chime in.



Hyde

 

[GCecchetto]

The factory fluid is very clear in apperance. What does the Royal Purple look like. I can't see my dealer testing the fluid is some trans issue came up. If it looks like the same fluid they probably wouldn't even question it.



Gino

 

[_Hyde]

If you can believe this, its actually purple. Imagine that. I was sorely disappointed when I got some of their ATF and its red like any other ATF. That could complicate things if you had RP every where and you had a leak. If its purple you could rule out the cooling system.



Hyde