MT82 fluid change

[robvas]

Changing it at 1k miles??
Seems a bit early. You could wait until like 20-30k miles since the fluid is still new. Don't waste your money if your transmission is shifting just fine. It's still a new car.

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[VTX CHF]

Full synthetic for Engine/Trans/Rearend gear. Set it up reasonably early and enjoy the benefits of replacement fluids.

 

[LJM]

Anyone here change the transmission fluid on their MT82? If so what fluid did you go with and how noticeable of a change was it? Did you upgrade anything else to help make shifts more smooth? I'm going for my 1k oil change next week and may go ahead and change (upgrade) the trans fluid.

I changed my MT transmission at about 10-12k miles. I used the recommended Ford fluid and the 4 ounce bottle of Ford additive for the carbon synchros. It seems to shift much smoother with the additive.

 

[jsven008]

In my both 2014 GT and 2019 GT I got improved shifting with RedLine DCTF.......I'm also going to change to Redline DCTF in my 2022 GT next oil change!!

More importantly I replace the OEM Drain and Fill plugs with Magnetic plugs to catch any ferrous material that might be floating around in there!!

Be careful about using thicker fluids in the MT-82 especially in cold weather. A lot of the early MT-82 failures in 2011-2012 were partly due to Ford initially using a relatively thick fluid (75w90). This is the reason Ford changed to the thin XT-11-QDC fluid.

Here are the viscosities of some popular MT-82 fluids:

Motul Multi-DCTF:
Viscosity at 40C (104F): 34.7 mm/s
VIscosity at 100C (212F): 7.1 mm/s
Pour Point: -48C (-57F)
Link:
https://azupim01.motul.com/media/motulData/DO/base/multi_dctf_en_fr_motul_45611_20241021.pdf

Ford XT-11-QDC (by Castrol):
Viscosity at 40C (104F): 32.2 mm/s
VIscosity at 100C (212F): 6.3 mm/s
Pour Point: -57C (-70F)
Link:
https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...4F1BE79802587CD00354C46/$File/wepp-cas5fl.pdf

BG Syncro Shift II:
Viscosity at 40C (104F): 37.85 mm/s
VIscosity at 100C (212F): 7.11 mm/s
Pour Point: -43C (-45F)
Link:
https://www.bgprod.dk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/792_SPEC.pdf

Redline DCTF:
Viscosity at 40C (104F): 40.72 mm/s
Viscosity at 100C (212F): 8.09 mm/s
Pour Point: -45C (-50F)
Link:
https://www.redlineoil.com/dctf-dual-clutch-transmission-fluid

Street:
If you live in a cold climate I would stick to Ford XT-11-QDC which has the lowest viscosity at 40C as well as a very low pour point of -70F. If you live in a warm climate year around, then Motul Multi DCTF, BG Syncro Shift II or Redline DCTF are thicker and viable alternatives. Regarding cold climates, I evaluated Motul Multi-DCTF for 800 miles and I experienced a few rough shifts in cold weather below 40F. I also see some mixed experiences on BG Syncro Shift II in cold weather. Lastly, I would not recommend using Redline DCTF in cold climates since it is slightly too thick.

Track:
In general, you want the thinnest fluid which provides the lowest transmission fluid temperature. The temperature of the fluid is directly related to the amount of friction (wear) created in the transmission, all other factors equal. So if Fluid A is running hotter than Fluid B under the same conditions (20 min session, 80F, sunny etc), then Fluid A is creating more friction (wear). Start at a slightly thicker fluid like Motul DCTF and then move to a thicker fluid like BG Syncro Shift II and monitor fluid temperatures. For a dedicated track car, some guys even use plain 75w90.

Perhaps most importantly, never use regular 75w90 gear oil for cold weather as it is far too thick for the MT-82 design and not even remotely close to the Ford spec. There are thousands of 2011-2012 MT-82 transmission failures due partly to Ford's initial use of 75w90 in cold climates.

 

[robvas]

I used a quart of Valvoline 75-90 and two quarts of syncrhomesh

seems to shift fine

I spilled a bit because of the way the bottles and pump worked hence the three quarts

 

[jsven008]

I used a quart of Valvoline 75-90 and two quarts of syncrhomesh

seems to shift fine

I spilled a bit because of the way the bottles and pump worked hence the three quarts

Like to gamble I see. The Syncromesh is fine, but the Valvoline 75w90 isn't even remotely close to the Ford spec in viscosity. If someone recommended this, it is likely for track days in extreme temperatures. Your engine may also run with 20w50 motor oil, but I don't recommend it. Ford researched this extensively during the early 2011-2012 MT-82 transmission failures.

 

[Coosawjack]

Redline DCTF works GREAT here in the Lowcountry of SC........I have no clue about cold Wx operation which is part of the reason I live down here!!

 

[robvas]

Like to gamble I see. The Syncromesh is fine, but the Valvoline 75w90 isn't even remotely close to the Ford spec in viscosity. If someone recommended this, it is likely for track days in extreme temperatures. Your engine may also run with 20w50 motor oil, but I don't recommend it. Ford researched this extensively during the early 2011-2012 MT-82 transmission failures.

plenty of people run all 75-90 without any issues, no thinner fluids mixed with it at all

 

[jsven008]

plenty of people run all 75-90 without any issues, no thinner fluids mixed with it at all

I think you would be surprised, very few people run straight 75w90 in the MT-82 unless it is track duty or a built transmission. And for the ones that do, how many miles in cold weather? Have they put 100k on it?

A few notes:
A) Calimer primarily recommends this fluid for their Stage 3 reinforced MT-82 transmission. This is not a stock Mustang MT-82 transmission.
B) Calimer makes a living rebuilding transmissions. Take that how you will, but they make money by repairing broken MT-82s.
C) 75w90 is far from the Ford Spec. This really is gambling in cold weather.

The biggest problem with thick fluids is you may not know it has caused excess wear until it is too late and serious damage has been done (i.e. it starts grinding gears). It may wear a little at a time until it is too late, then there is no way to fix it but to rebuild (Calimer will gladly rebuild it for $$$).

I'm not saying you can't use thick fluid for a while. It's just a matter of which will create the least amount of wear. It might shift fine now, but will it still at 100k? Thick fluid like 75w90 can and will cause more wear in cold climates in the MT-82. Ford moved to thin XT-11-QDC for this specific reason due to all the MT-82 failures early on.

It's best to stick close to stock viscosity for cold weather. That's all I'm saying.

 

[robvas]

It's fine. I'm speaking from experience. People have been running that fluid for a long time. It was what ford originally specced (and then went back on because the mt-82 is a turd). Mine has almost 100k on it (it's not an S650 if you have not figured that out by now) and is connected to a boosted engine.

Also I don't drive my car in the cold (40 or below) so I don't care about that.

 

[dusman59]

Here in AZ my 2011 mt82 was changed to Redline at 2k miles. Shifts like butter although I let things warm slightly. Changed out the shift linkage to MGW as the stock was sloppy. There is no way I am prematurely wearing anything. I have been driving standard transmissions for over 50 years. Early MT 82 trans are hit and miss. If I had problems I would look at Calimer. Clutch issues sometimes can display as a transmission problem.

 

[yeti.5oh]

In my both 2014 GT and 2019 GT I got improved shifting with RedLine DCTF.......I'm also going to change to Redline DCTF in my 2022 GT next oil change!!

More importantly I replace the OEM Drain and Fill plugs with Magnetic plugs to catch any ferrous material that might be floating around in there!!

Do you remember where you got your drain plugs from?

 

[Coosawjack]

Do you remember where you got your drain plugs from?

I found my plugs on eBay.......all you need size and thread pitch!!

I believe mine were used in BMW transmissions??

I added the fill one first and drove it about 1000 miles then drained and refilled using both plugs........BTW.....the OEM plugs are a BEAR to break loose!!

Good Luck!!

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