ax5 trans fluid question (2.5 yj)

Manco · March 21, 2013, 4:03am

Have to drive to Clinton, Connecticut from Cranston Friday to start an internship and want to make sure the yj is running all fresh fluids (I just recently bought it so unsure of most maintenance records). I’ve already changed f&r differential and motor oil. Did a general tune up (wires, cap plugs rotor air filter etc) and greased the front end zirks. Tcase atf3 fluid is newer according to previous owner so what’s left (aside from cooling & clutch sys flush) and probably neglected by previous owner is the tranny fluid.

I’ve done some searching and I am getting a lot of conflicting information from various searches of other Jeep forums so I figured I’d ask you guys.

Searches are coming up with everything from synthetic 10w30, mt90, 75w90 gear oil, Pennzoil syncromesh etc. I read on one forum they praise syncromesh, others say it’s non comparable… Same for gear oil,etc . Synthetic 10w30 seems like the one but I’d like to hear what you guys suggest and use…

Also open to suggestions on getting access to fill the new fluid with the lack of room by the fill plug! Hope to get this done tomorrow afternoon so I hope a 2.5 ax5 owner sees this soon haha.

Mike

NelsonATC · March 21, 2013, 3:11pm

Syncromesh

Manco · March 21, 2013, 3:31pm

I’ve read that. Then I’ve read it’s unsafe for the ax5. Don’t have a service manual for it yet and according to opinions I’ve read on forums, the service manual recommends gl5. But then they go on to say this is a typo because gl5 is harmful to the brass syncros.

So as you can tell I’ve done a fair amount of searching but have come up with nothing but conflicting answers haha

RyanK3 · March 21, 2013, 3:49pm

I’ve read that a lot of people use Redline MT-90 or Redline MTL in the AX-5/15.

This is on the fact sheet I usually reference from Stu-Offroad:

If you have a TJ with either an AX-5 or an AX-15 transmission, do NOT follow the transmission fluid recommendations in the owner’s manual. It is a misprint. The factory service manual (FSM) does have the correct information in it. That being said, I use Redline MT-90 or Redline MTL fluid in my AX-15. The GL-3/4 rating of this fluid means it does not have the harmful additives that cause synchronizer wear as experienced when running GL-5 rated fluids. When I switched to MT-90 (shortly after getting the TJ), the cold weather 1st to 2nd gear shift problem that the AX-15 is well noted for became virtually a non-issue. After running MT-90 for several years, I decided to try their MTL fluid. MTL is almost the same except that it is slightly lighter weight. I found that the last little bit of cold weather shifting problem that MT-90 almost cleared up was gone when MTL was used. Redline is a very respected name and I don’t think you can go wrong using it. I’ve never found it in the local AutoZone, Pep Boys, etc. type stores. I pick mine up from a performance shop that caters to the speed crowd. You can find it on-line too. I believe Summit Racing carries Redline Oils. It is highly unlikely you will find Redline at the usual auto parts store (AutoZone, Checker, PepBoys, etc).

Manco · March 21, 2013, 3:52pm

Is that something I can find locally? Would like to swap it today

RyanK3 · March 21, 2013, 5:11pm

Not sure, I have the NV3550 so I run Royal Purple Syncromax.

Manco · March 22, 2013, 10:09pm

Thanks fellas. I looked around for some Redline mt90 or mtr but couldn’t find it locally, even checked out the drivers seat in warwick with no luck… Going to have to order it online. For now I put some synthetic 10w30 in there and was thankful I remembered I had a transfer pump because a funnel and hose wasn’t going to cut it! haha

Mike