Hard to shift into 2nd gear when cold

[02SE]

Although Valvoline, which does not have a GL-4 synthetic gear oil, had some claim their sulfur additives were 'stabilized' or some such thing, and therefore ok.

At one time, Mobil claimed something similar for their Mobil 1 75w90 gear oil.

However, Toyota has specced the Aisin (Toyota subsidiary) R150F trans for GL-5 gear oil. After draining the factory fill at 4000 miles, it ran great on the Mobil 1 75w90 GL-5 gear oil, for the next 13 years.

I only switched to the Redline, because I knew from racing experience that they were great performing oils, and I could get it for a better price than the Mobil 1.

It seems pretty clear there is a problem with GL-5 in synchronized transmissions with yellow metals.

I definitely wouldn't use a GL-5 in a trans that wasn't specced to use it. Not all manual transmissions are built with the same materials in them.

 

[adkinsadam1]

I have a 2000 manual, and the majority of my driving is short trips where car does not warm completely up. I really hate driving my car most of the time because the manual is so awful. Getting into gear first is not very easy, and going into none of the gears is smooth by any means. Second is the worst. Just physically getting it there is hard, and it takes literally about 5 seconds to move from 1st to 2nd. Even when the car warms up it still is not smooth and there is always a grind - especially if you shift too fast. I had the gear oil changed by the Stealership when I was getting the car serviced a few weeks ago - but it made no difference at all. I love my 4runner but I hate driving it. So I just bike everywhere when I can.

I have ordered 4 quarts of this redline oil and am going to drain and replace this weekend. WILL THIS MAKE MY TRANSMISSION BUTTER SMOOTH ALL THE TIME?? Thanks anyone who has dealt with what I have been dealing with.

 

[Gerdo]

Redline made mine so much better.
It's THE best thing that I could have done for my transmission.

Read this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/76100-manual-trans-gear-oil.html
If you don't use Redline, make sure you use a GL-4 and not a GL-5 rated oil.
Synthetics stay more free flowing in the cold.

 

[madbomber08]

Also read this:

CURE NOTCHY SHIFTING! 3rd gen and taco - YotaTech Forums

I have not done it but Swede, who has comments in the thread, mentions he has 60,000-70,000 miles on the overfilled transmission with no woes as far as I can tell.

 

[4Runner_101]

You can try changing your oil, if that doesnt fix it, im pretty sure its your pressure plate. had the same issue, changed clutch and it was good. a lot of times the pressure plate goes in the clutch before the disc does

 

[threadlessclimber]

Not try to steal the thread but I have a similar problem and have already changed to the redline--mine doesn't like to get into third gear or down shift into second when the truck it's cold. I can get it into third but it has resistance (doesn't grind or make any noise) if I don't do it just right. Once the truck is warm everything is fine and now that I think of it the truck is always warm by the time I try to use fourth or fifth. I had a car with bad syncros and this doesn't feel like that. Clutch fluid has been changed and the fluid level remains constant. Clutch doesn't slip. Clutch petal bracket looks good. Already bought the Marlin Crawler seat. I've been reading up and I'm going to pump the clutch a bunch of times and if that helps--I'm lead to believe it is a hydraulic problem.
Hopefully the oil change helps the OP--if it hasn't been said grab a new crush washer for the drain plug

 

[threadlessclimber]

Pumping the clutch doesn't seem to help, so I don't think it's hydraulic. Transmission is getting close to 200,000 miles--I guess it's a sign of age and or the synchros are going. A mechanic I know suggested I switch to Royal Purple synchromesh but having put the Redline in maybe 5,000 miles ago I don't really want to drain it out. Any thoughts on synchromesh fluids in our transmissions? Also I saw Lucas transmission fix--would that be worth a try? Or should I just live with it.