Redline MTL vs Motorcraft Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid (XT/M5/QS)

[Don A.]

I’m not sure if I’m asking this in the right area of the forum. I’ve been concerned about my trans shifting hard especially when cold. I planned on taking it in. After being on here and reading others thoughts it seems a common issue with the ‘06 six speed manuals. I’m going to change the fluid out this weekend a flyer overeating thanksgiving leftovers. Has anyone ran or know about motorcraft XT-M5-QS manual fluid? Looks like fords answer to their German transmissions needs. A few (non ford) forums out there rate it higher than redline mtl on cold temp performance? It not cheaper by any means lol.
Any thoughts?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Since no one here is a petroleum engineer who has tested both products, I doubt you'll get a meaningful comparison of the two. Did you try Redline MTL in your NSG370? It receives consistently good reviews in the NSG370 and NV3550. I dunno why you'd be tempted to try Ford's without knowing if it meets the NSG370 requirements as Redline's MTL definitely does.

 

[Rob5589]

Redlines MTL is tried and tested in the 6 spd and always gets positive praise. In mine, smoother shifting and no more popping out of first.

 

[Don A.]

Since no one here is a petroleum engineer who has tested both products, I doubt you'll get a meaningful comparison of the two. Did you try Redline MTL in your NSG370? It receives consistently good reviews in the NSG370 and NV3550. I dunno why you'd be tempted to try Ford's without knowing if it meets the NSG370 requirements as Redline's MTL definitely does.

...Because I’ve been researching this the last week and in other applications motorcraft got better reviews. It seems to be able to meet the same or similar requirements from what I found....which is why I was “tempted” to ask.

 

[Don A.]

Redlines MTL is tried and tested in the 6 spd and always gets positive praise. In mine, smoother shifting and no more popping out of first.

Thanks Rob.

 

[Farmergreg]

I bought my LJR in March, I finally changed the fluid in my 6 speed to MTL a couple weeks ago. The 1st to 2nd shift would have a little "clash" before. It has stopped since and shifts smooth now since the change.

 

[Boinked]

Ok im not sure how to interpret the specs but here are the specs from both products

 

[alittleoff]

And Don, please remember to crack open the fill plug first before you drain the trans fluid.

 

[JMT]

The Redline MTL did NOT improve my shifting on the NSG370 (6-speed). It’s pretty rough and sometimes pops out of 1st or 3rd. I just have to shift slow

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The Redline MTL did NOT improve my shifting on the NSG370 (6-speed). It’s pretty rough and sometimes pops out of 1st or 3rd. I just have to shift slow

Redline MTL is a great lubricant but it's not a miracle lubricant that can fix mechanical transmission problems.

 

[JMT]

Redline MTL is a great lubricant but it's not a miracle lubricant that can fix mechanical transmission problems.

Not knowing anything about transmissions, I have no clue what could be wrong. I drove another guys 6-speed from the Same year and it was definitely smoother. What could be wrong?

 

[Rob5589]

Not knowing anything about transmissions, I have no clue what could be wrong. I drove another guys 6-speed from the Same year and it was definitely smoother. What could be wrong?

Mine is still clunky 1st - 2nd. Seems to be common on the TJ. I read on WF I believe that some changes were made to the 6 spd in 07 or 08 which got rid of the issues we have.

 

[KCsTJ]

The Redline MTL did NOT improve my shifting on the NSG370 (6-speed). It’s pretty rough and sometimes pops out of 1st or 3rd. I just have to shift slow

Just guessing here @JMT but is there any chance the shifter cane could be coming in contact with the tub (or anything else) if its poppong out in 1st and 3rd?
Or could the shifter cane be so close to the front of the tub (for example) that engine vibrations might occasionally knock it out of 1st or 3rd? Just brainstorming here.

 

[Don A.]

That’s similar to what I had come across @Boinked thanks for sharing.
There seems to be a common thread of hard shifting for vehicles that used German engineered manual trans across the board regardless of manufacturer. Sound like you might have some damage that needs a physical repair @JMT if it wasn’t lubricated properly, or if the hard shift/grinding was ignored or forced shifted into gear you may have a bigger issue.
I was looking for available oils that met qualifications when I came across the motorcraft. The was a Miata forum where this same issue was being talked about and a lot of guys were using redline but had switched to the Motorcraft and got better results in the cold in particular. Made me wonder if any Jesper tried it.
Has the shifting been better on your initial start up after being cold @Farmergreg ? That’s when mine is the worse.
Will do @alittleoff , great advise!

 

[Don A.]

Jeepers not jespers

 

[Don A.]

I’m not wanting to be the guinney pig. I’ve got redline MTL in my amazon cart now lol.

 

[KCsTJ]

@Don Ashcraft i have the NSG370 6-speed in my 05 with 104k.
It seems to shift fine but because it is new to me and i dont know the history ill be changing whats in there to Redline MTL soon just based on the good reviews ive seen.

 

[JMT]

I’d be willing to try the Motorcraft if it meets all the specs.

Just guessing here @JMT but is there any chance the shifter cane could be coming in contact with the tub (or anything else) if its poppong out in 1st and 3rd?
Or could the shifter cane be so close to the front of the tub (for example) that engine vibrations might occasionally knock it out of 1st or 3rd? Just brainstorming here.

The shifter is definitely not hitting the tub. I spent some time in there replacing the lower shift boot.

I don’t have any serious vibes. Jeep runs smooth!

It was your TJ I was referring to @KCsTJ

 

[KCsTJ]

I’d be willing to try the Motorcraft if it meets all the specs.

The shifter is definitely not hitting the tub. I spent some time in there replacing the lower shift boot.

I don’t have any serious vibes. Jeep runs smooth!

It was your TJ I was referring to @KCsTJ

Yup i thot so @JMT .

I knew you had worked on your shifter boot, thats why i had to ask.
I dont know why a tranny would pop of gear, idk transmissions very well either. :-/

 

[Farmergreg]

That’s similar to what I had come across @Boinked thanks for sharing.
There seems to be a common thread of hard shifting for vehicles that used German engineered manual trans across the board regardless of manufacturer. Sound like you might have some damage that needs a physical repair @JMT if it wasn’t lubricated properly, or if the hard shift/grinding was ignored or forced shifted into gear you may have a bigger issue.
I was looking for available oils that met qualifications when I came across the motorcraft. The was a Miata forum where this same issue was being talked about and a lot of guys were using redline but had switched to the Motorcraft and got better results in the cold in particular. Made me wonder if any Jesper tried it.
Has the shifting been better on your initial start up after being cold @Farmergreg ? That’s when mine is the worse.
Will do @alittleoff , great advise!

I would get a minor clash when shifting from 1st to 2nd mainly noticeable as that first shift before the trans warmed up.