How long to wait before changing MT fluid?
 

I just picked up my '17 BRZ the other day, and am already feeling the famous 1st/2nd gear clunk/notchiness.

I know I'll replace the MT fluid eventually, but should I wait till the car/transmission is broken in before replacing the fluid?

The notchiness will be there for several thousand km. It'll gradually get slightly better and you'll learn to push the clutch in - wait a second - and then engage first. First to second is notchy til the fluid warms up.

I just swapped mine at 20K km and my mechanic said it was black. I switched it out to Motul 300 and that just made it even more notchy. So either use OEM or something else other than Motul. Honestly wouldn't recommend it for colder climates.

I hear it will get better over time. So I'm willing to wait for a bit.

The weather in the PNW isn't so cold in the winter. Shouldn't be a problem.

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to our forum ....... :clap:

I suggest you refer to your car's maintenance manual for frequency of fluid changes for average driving. The manual for my 2013 says to inspect at 22,500 miles ....... it never does say to change it ...... ;) :iono:

The 1>2 gear change on a cold transmission seems to just be the nature of the beast. I suggest you let the transmission warm up a bit and then just pull the shifter slowly and firmly into 2nd gear.

Be more concerned about running up onto parking stops ...... OUCH!


humfrz

I was actually talking about an unschedule transmission oil change. Basically I want the better shifter feel as soon as possible--not necessarily when the manual says so.

Well OK then.

You can change the transmission oil to whatever oil you want as often as you wish. There are about a half dozen brands of oil recommended here on the forum, with the first change being from 1,000 miles to never.

So, when is the transmission "broken in" ..?? Some say it's broken in from the factory, some say after 20-30,000 miles, some say ..... never.

The MT on my 2013 FR-S has always shifted just fine, warm or cold, so, I haven't changed the transmission oil in the past 5 years or 25,000 miles.

I believe ol @Tcoat has over 100,000 miles on his FR-S with the factory fill.

Then some other folks change transmission oil faster that Johnny Cash can kiss a duck.

Your call ...... ;)


humfrz

Change it right now!

In my experience so far the transmission feels better as the miles pile up. Haven't changed the lube yet, will probably do that at 30k. In the meantime, you might try a weighted shift knob. That, in addition to breaking the box in, changed the feel of mine substantially for the better.

Intervals can vary anywhere from 15k-30k depending on how you drive the car.

It was recommended to me to change the trans fluid after you break in the car. Many have complained the fluid was milky and had shavings from the factory. Mine was this way too when i changed it at 3k.

Many people recommend Motul gear 300 for trans and diff, and i do too. I'm coming up on 25k which is the recommended mileage, so ill be doing mine shortly. Since i can't find shops that sell it locally, i ordered from Counterspace Garage who also send crush washers. Waiting on that package to arrive.

lol

Followed break-in period. Changed at 2000 miles.

Shifting actually feels better or placebo? Either way, shifting feels better...LOL

Thanks for the replies!

I drove for a bit longer and definitely noticed a huge difference once the car was properly warmed up. I'm sure a combination of the the transmission breaking in, swapping fluids, and installing a new shifter/bushing setup will be more than enough to do the job :)

Maybe I'm the oddball, but I bought a '17 86 last November, have 22000 miles on it and around 150 autocross runs. Haven't felt any notchy shifts or ground a single gear so far. Just changed over to MT-90, still feels the same.

It doesn't get freaky cold here, but I do spend a fair bit of time in Wenatchee and even in 15-20 degree weather it feels just fine cold.