Re: Synthetic tranny oil

[dan_masi@MENTORG.COM (Dan Masi)]

On Nov 22, 12:04pm, Fluhr wrote:
> Subject: Synthetic tranny oil
>
> I recently heard that synthetic oil worked "too well" for a manual
> transmission, in that the oil does not "spin up" on the parts as
> well as standard oil.  The gears and synchros then do not get
> adequate lubrication to work smoothly.
>
> Now, this makes no sense...

No.  But I think the explanation that you're referring
to is the following, and it's one that I've heard before.
It has nothing to do with inadequate lubrication.
It's that the synchros rely on the oil's viscosity to get
them spinning up, and that using slipperier synthetic causes
more synchro clashing and wear, because the synchros don't
match speed as easily because the less-viscous synthetics
don't transfer rotational motion to the synchros well.

Now, whether THAT's true or not, I haven't a clue.  No
experience whatsoever.  I don't think I could even draw
a diagram of a tranny if I tried.  But, it's a story I've
heard.

Dan Masi
'96 A4Q