Is there a significant difference between regular and synthetic ATF for a T-5 in cold weather?

My only experience was with a 95 Turbo AWD Talon that I owned. That had 80W-90 spec'd for the 5 speed and when I switched to BG Synchroshift (synthetic), it felt a LOT better when the temp was under ~40 degrees, until the trans warmed up.

Anyone else use synthetic ATF in the T-5?

 

My introduction to synthetic lubricants was in a T-50 (yes, "50") 5-speed that required ATF.

No particular reason to limit its use to wintertime. If an ATF is specified, Redline or AMSOIL ATF will sweeten the tranny's performance nicely year-round.

Oh, to answer your original question: Yes, there is a significant difference between petroleum and synthetic based ATFs - at the temperature extremes (cold and hot), and in friction reduction. The synthetic will be thinner at cold temps, will resist breakdown better at high temps, and generally will be slipperier.

 

Sweet...it may have seemed like a basic question, but after reading the other current thread in which Hughes says to not use synthetics, I was just curious how that applied to T-5 setups.

Thanks five7kid, you confirmed my thoughts on it...

 

That issue concerned capability with friction materials, which the T-5 has none.

 

OK...thanks for the followup...