Hey guys, I also had this problem BUT! I found a lil trick that kinda works. Before you guys do your 1/4 mile or race another car try this... before take off run the shifter through all the gears, except reverse. This solved the problem for me, best of luck to you guys.

 

Capacity of the manual transmission in both the xA and B is 2.0 quarts/1.9L

I checked some specifics for oils that have worked on other transmissions that aren't the most shift-friendly. It seems that you really have to try one and if it doesn't work better, another may. Exact same transmissions yet different fluid preferences (don't ask me).

75W-90 is recommended. From past experience you may get a better shift feel from a slightly lighter weight during the winter months (assuming you enjoy changing fluids). You have two plugs to remove, the drain one is on the bottom of the transmission case and is I believe a 24mm; the fill plug is about midway up on the side of the transmission case and is 17mm typically.

Drain the oil on a level surface after driving the vehicle a few miles to warm up the fluid (its thicker than engine oil so the heat helps you drain it. Check to be sure the transmission isn't too hot for you, then remove the bottom plug and let it drain. Do whatever your conscience tells you to do with the old oil, or give it to your dad and let him deal with it.

Fill the case up using the side plug (be sure to have reinstalled the drain plug and be really careful about not cross-threading the plug) and when you get near to the 2 quart level, slowly add more until the fluid just starts leaking out, it may take more or less than the 2 qts, thats why you need to do this on a level surface so the overflow will tell you when there is enough in there. Replace the fill plug and enjoy your new shifting ride.


Fluids that people have recommended in the past car groups in no particular order:

BG Syncroshift - No experience with this but it has been often recommended

Redline Redline Synthetic Transmission Oil MT-90 or MTL (I have personally used this in my own DSM transmission and it helped) - People really seem to like this one.

Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lubricant LS 75W-90 (I have personally used this in my own DSM transmission when I was unable to locate the redline, seems ok)

Royal Purple Synchromax Manual Transmission Fluid - no experience with it

Cobra Valley Chemicals Ultrashift - no experience with it

While we are doing this, post feedback about your own choice and what you thought about the change, so that others can benefit from testing. I'll have a manual transmission one here at the store before too long, and will try some out myself, but it will be a month maybe more.

Mike

 

I think I am going to use the mobil 1Synthetic Gear Lubricant LS 75W-90. And wow thanks for the description of drainage procedure. :D

 

I have some what the same problem but its getting into third gear. It doesnt grind or anyting it just wont get through or in. :?:

 

if 75w-90 is recommended, use redline's shockproof oils, choose from light - heavy, all 3 work superbly when 75w-90 is required. well, that's if you can still find it.

MTL and MT-90 = buyer beware.

 

Why? If you're referring to corrosion of certain metals, it ain't in a toyota transmission, actually very few of any manufacturer made since 1990.

Mike

 

people grind a lot using that in different trannies. a lot of honda trannies like it particularly, but i know a lot of other cars that particularly dislike mtl or mt90

 

Thats why I said to try different ones if its not helping. Every transmission, even ones on the same assembly line made on the same day will have variances after driving, due to different drivers putting different strains on them. One mans trash is another mans treasure. I wouldn't tell people to not try an oil without seeing for themselves first.

Mike

 

I am having a _____ of a time getting into second gear. I thought it started go away around 3500 miles but it seems to be back again with a vengence! even shifting at around 4k, shifting moderatly fast it doesnt want to go in and then sometimes it grinds.

its not my footwork either because even doing to slow at a higher rpm results in the same thing. the shifter just hits a wall before second then i have to shove it in.

Im afraid they are gonna blame me for this if i ever have any warrenty issues with the tranny. I even went back to tarbox toyota to talk to a tech about it and got the whole "relax its a new car, itll work itself out" should there be some kind of TSB on this or is there really nothing we can do besides fluids

 

I'm getting really tired of it too. Like previously posted, it's like there's a "wall" between 1st and 2nd, and the more RPMs you're at the bigger the wall gets.

When trying to leave fast from a stop light, going into 2nd always causes a delay 'cause I have to shove the damn shifter into gear. It doesn't grind at all, it's just difficult to get it into 2nd gear.

And apparently the TRD Short Shifter doesn't help either......great...

I really hope this eventually goes away, but I'm still glad I ordered a manual, my other car is an automatic.

 

I am surprised nobody mentioned Amsoil when talking about Synthetic Fluids....they have been around the longest and is the only thing I have ran in all my vehicles since I have been able to drive.

Best of luck to you guys with shifting problems....

 

So those of those who have done the fluid change, how much has shifting improved?

 

I have an 06 tc and I have the same problem with the 1-2 upshift grinding, clunky, sticky and missed shifts.

I've had the car for about 6 months and 13,000 miles already. I've changed between factory, Redline MTL and currently SWEPCO 203 90wt.

All have the same result. NO difference. I did notice that it really only happens when the car is cold. Idling to warm doesn't really help as the trans isn't getting warm other than radiant heat from the motor. After driving on the freeway to work it shifts just fine.

And I have NEVER raced this car, although I had planned on it, have tons of parts that I bought for it, but now I'm unsure wether I should sell the parts and get something else, or just slap them on and if it blows up, it blows up.

How much can a used trans cost anyway?

but hopefully someone has found a miracle oil or has dealt with scion about the problem and has found a fix.

 

Hmm, maybe try and convice your dealership that your tranny should be replaced under warantee