ATF in Manual transmission

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Scoobyrex02

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Hello all,

car in question is a 2002 Subaru outback with manual transmission. Owners manual states transmission / Front differential gear oil needs API Classification GL-5.

Looking for some advice/input. Had a transmission fluid change on June 30th. Was heading to a friends place today (July 4th) and while driving on the interstate suddenly it popped out of gear, thought it was odd but put it back in gear and continued. About 30 sec later it popped out again. I made it to an exit and checked the transmission level and nothing present on the dipstick. I made it to a gas station (checked 3 actually) but none had any manual transmission fluid, only Automatic. Given my options I decided ATF was better than nothing so I topped it off with that. took about 2.5 quarts. I had about 45 min drive home on the interstate. I'm planning on going back to the place I had to the fluid change and have a talk with them.

My main question is, since I used ATF, is there any possible damage I could have done? As well as any additional tasks needed besides draining the ATF and refilling of manual transmission?

Thank you all for your time.
-Rick
 
ATF will cause no damage. Running 3 quarts low to the point of popping out of gear on the other hand will. That trans only hold like 3.5 quarts or something stupid.
 
I am with you, something has got to be better than nothing.. the only thing I may consider is changing back to the proper gear oil, run it for a while, maybe 10,000 miles then do another drain/fill to get the remaining atf out. But no harm will come if you don't I'd imagine.

Some manual gear boxes actually use atf, I think the big difference is synchro compatibility.. I think gear boxes with brass synchros typically take gear oil, and gear boxes with synchros made from clutch material use atf. So no permanate damage should come from using atf for a short period.
 
ATF won`t hurt a thing. I had an 86 300ZX turbo,and the manual transmissions on those cars have a sticker on them that says to use either Dexron ATF or 75W90 GL4 gear oil. Wonder why they give you such an extreme difference in fluid choices? Transmission on that car was a T5.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
a 10w30 would be a better choice than atf imo.but if it was that low and doing weird things it may be damaged anyway.


Plus given the fact it is a Subaru manual transmission, it is probably time for a replacement.
 
Hard to say about the damage but a fully formulated manual transmission fluid has several advantages over an atf. I would not be worried about it short term but I wouldn't seek proper fluids within the next few thousand miles.

Red manual transmission fluids are tops in my book but you have several options.
 
Further investigation is in order. Either it was not filled up correctly or you have a serious leak.
 
I'd change it with the proper fluid soon. Keep in mind that sump feeds not only the transmission but also the front diff.
 
Mercon is the recommended fill for the Mitsibishi 5 spd in the Rat. In an emergency it is better than nothing. Definitely get the right stuff ASAP.

It sounds like the shop did a drain, but didn't re-fill.
 
Wow, what is the total capacity of that box? 2.5 quarts low seems like quite a bit.

I'd say you have a serious claim with that shop.

Originally Posted By: Scoobyrex02
Looking for some advice/input. Had a transmission fluid change on June 30th. Was heading to a friends place today (July 4th) and while driving on the interstate suddenly it popped out of gear, thought it was odd but put it back in gear and continued. About 30 sec later it popped out again. I made it to an exit and checked the transmission level and nothing present on the dipstick. I made it to a gas station (checked 3 actually) but none had any manual transmission fluid, only Automatic. Given my options I decided ATF was better than nothing so I topped it off with that. took about 2.5 quarts. I had about 45 min drive home on the interstate. I'm planning on going back to the place I had to the fluid change and have a talk with them.
 
GL5 gear oil is a heavy fortified lubricate for gears like Hypoid, worm gears and some spiro bevel that have lots of friction. To use an ATF fluid in these gears sets is an incorrect lubricant and can produce excessive wear fairly quickly. Get the ATF out and a good GL5 lubricate in ASAP. Ed
 
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The ATF will cause severe damage to the transmission, It spec's gl-5 because its a shared arrangement with the front differential that contains hypoid gears.

The capacity of that unit is around 3-3.5qt

so 2.5qt is pretty much empty you have probably already severely damaged the unit. Its not economical to repair, start looking for a used transmission.


if you dont know the application posting inaccurate replies can be troublesome

Like this incorrect post above.

Originally Posted By: GutsyGecko
ATF will cause no damage. Running 3 quarts low to the point of popping out of gear on the other hand will. That trans only hold like 3.5 quarts or something stupid.


These subaru don't spec even a gl-4 gear oil as that's not sufficient protection... let alone an atf.

Although I agree its toast..


Originally Posted By: Chris142
a 10w30 would be a better choice than atf imo.but if it was that low and doing weird things it may be damaged anyway.


As mentioned above. Not knowing the MT can making yourself look silly giving out bad advice.


Who changed the transmission fluid? Maybe they left off the giant brass crush washer, or maybe it just needs replaced and leaking? or were they full on tards and used the AUTOMATIC transmission fill numbers and filled it like it was just a front DIFF, not the shared unit(MT+DIFF)

The automatics have a front DIFF, that's separate from the AT because there its not easy to make an AT run on gl-5 gear oil.
 
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ATF didn't do any damage, but clearly, running it without lubricant did........Otherwise, it would not have popped out of gear. Now or later, your transmission will need an overhaul or replacement. A low mileage used replacement (Paid for by the shop that screwed the pooch on refilling the box) would be the most efficient fix for all concerned.

What the guy did was refill the differential, but not the transmission.
 
They are both filled from the transmission dipstick on the MT. there is no diff fill point.

ATF WILL severely damage the gears, but they were most likely already damaged due to the low fill.
The rest of the transmission is also likely highly damaged causing it to pop out of gear.. This other part of the transmission most likely overheated due to inadequate splash lube from being low.

The whole thing is trash now and not repairable.

Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
ATF didn't do any damage, but clearly, running it without lubricant did........Otherwise, it would not have popped out of gear. Now or later, your transmission will need an overhaul or replacement. A low mileage used replacement (Paid for by the shop that screwed the pooch on refilling the box) would be the most efficient fix for all concerned.

What the guy did was refill the differential, but not the transmission.
 
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Wow, what is the total capacity of that box? 2.5 quarts low seems like quite a bit.

I'd say you have a serious claim with that shop.

Originally Posted By: Scoobyrex02
Looking for some advice/input. Had a transmission fluid change on June 30th. Was heading to a friends place today (July 4th) and while driving on the interstate suddenly it popped out of gear, thought it was odd but put it back in gear and continued. About 30 sec later it popped out again. I made it to an exit and checked the transmission level and nothing present on the dipstick. I made it to a gas station (checked 3 actually) but none had any manual transmission fluid, only Automatic. Given my options I decided ATF was better than nothing so I topped it off with that. took about 2.5 quarts. I had about 45 min drive home on the interstate. I'm planning on going back to the place I had to the fluid change and have a talk with them.


You have a claim for sure.

Sumps that are common to the transmission and hypoid differential in Subies need a synchromesh EP Fluid with a GL-5 protection rating.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
They are both filled from the transmission dipstick on the MT. there is no diff fill point.



OP may want to check his engine oil level and make sure its not overfilled.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand


Originally Posted By: Chris142
a 10w30 would be a better choice than atf imo.but if it was that low and doing weird things it may be damaged anyway.


As mentioned above. Not knowing the MT can making yourself look silly giving out bad advice.



Chris was not saying 10w30 would be OK. He said it would have been a better choice, and he was correct. The ZDDP in motor oil would offer more protection to the differential than ATF.

Ed
 
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