Update!

I replaced the factory fluid in the manual tonight. The drain plug was a biatch to get off! Had to shave the short end of an allen wrench and tap it sideways with a hammer to get the plug loose. At 1,700 miles the factory fluid looked perfectly fine. No metal to speak of. The trans took about 1.8 quarts as the book lists.

After about 50 miles, running the trans through the gates feels alot more smooth than it used to.. Not near as 'ka-chunk ka-chunk" as it used to be. I've also been having some cold-start shifting issues (first and reverse) and its a bit easier to get those gears when the trans is cold. Of course the thing is still practically brand new so everything should loosen up more over time, but there's a difference.

Overall, its $16 well spent. Any other synth should yield similar results. I chose Royal Purple because I only needed 2 quarts and its going to last a hell of a long time in that manual.

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I've read about alot of people having synchro problems with their 5 speeds. At 1,600 miles I'm going to switch to Royal Purple Max ATF (Dexron 3 compatible) and let ya'll know how the trans feels in comparison to the standard GM ATF.

I'll take a good look at the factory fill that comes out, of course. I found about 5 metal flakes in my oil filter when I did my first oil change at 1k. We'll see what the trans fluid looks like. Just to let everyone know, in '06 GM built every manual Cobalt with the Getrag 287, which seems like a burly transaxle from what I've read.

Anyways... Just a heads up. I'm going to make myself a guinea pig. The car is under warranty, after all. =p

 

ok so im lost do you have a stick or a manual cause you talking about automatic trans fulid there or are they the same??

 

I believe he's talking about a 5spd, but by mentioning the Dextron 3 thing, I can see where that would throw you off, seeing as how the tranny should have GM syncromesh fluid in it. I think he's just saying the Royal Purple ATF is compatable with the Dextron so the auto guys could use it too if they desired...

 

Except for the SS/SC, it still has the FGP35. All other manuals are Getrag.

 

well its the fact that he said he was going to switch to the royal purple atf from the gm atf i thought they were diff fluids alothough royal purple most likely makes fluid for a manual trans anyway

 

Yeah, RP does make manual transmission fluid (Synchromax), I didn't even catch that he said he was putting ATF fluid in a 5-speed since NONE of the Cobalts have a 5 speed auto I would say that's a BAD idea no matter who makes the tranny.

 

the ss sc 5sp has different trans fluid then the other trans in the cobalt. hear is a list of recommended fluids and part numbers.

Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification may be obtained from your dealer.

Usage
Fluid/Lubricant

Engine Oil (2.2L L4 engine)
Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. GM GoodwrenchŽ oil meets all the requirements for your vehicle. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle's engine, see Engine Oil .

Engine Oil (2.0L L4 Supercharged engine)
The engine requires a special engine oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard may be identified with the American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. However, not all synthetic API oils with the starburst symbol will meet this GM standard. You should look for and use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M. GM GoodwrenchŽ oil meets all the requirements for your vehicle. For the proper viscosity, see Engine Oil .

Engine Cooling System
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOLŽ Coolant. See Engine Coolant .

Intercooler System (2.0L L4 Supercharged engine)
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOLŽ Coolant.

Hydraulic Brake System
DelcoŽ Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.

Hydraulic Clutch System
DelcoŽ Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.

Windshield Washer
Optikleen Washer Solvent.

Parking Brake Cable Guides
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.

Manual Transaxle (2.2L L4 engine)
DEXRONŽ-III Automatic Transmission Fluid. Look for "Approved for the H-Specification" on the label.

Manual Transaxle (2.0L L4 Supercharged engine)
Manual Transmission Fluid (Part No. 21018899).

Automatic Transaxle
DEXRONŽ-III Automatic Transmission Fluid. Look for "Approved for the H-Specification" on the label.

Key Lock Cylinders
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in Canada 10953474).

Manual Transaxle Shift Linkage
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.

Clutch Linkage Pivot Points
Engine Oil.

Chassis Lubrication
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.

Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.

Hood and Door Hinges
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in Canada 10953474).

Weatherstrip Conditioning
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada 992887).

 

there is actually a recall for the tranny fluids on the ss/sc's...didnt apply to mine though

 

Are you serious? I never got one, must not apply on mine either.

 

Interesting. Wonder why it doesn't use manual tranny fluid?

 

The manual transmissions use ATF because the sump for the fluid is at the bottom of the trans where the final drive is. The fluid has to climb the gears as they rotate so the rest of the transmissions' internal components can get lubrication.

Synchromesh is a much thicker fluid than ATF and would not only starve certain parts of the transmission of lubrication but could also cause problems shifting the transaxle.

Also, to let everyone know, for the '06 model year, it looks as if all automatic transmission cars are switching to the new Dexron VI standard. The fluids aren't backwards compatible so read your manual and be careful which fluid you put in your automatic. That and from what SI is telling me, -ALL- 5 speed Cobalts are getting the Getrag 287 instead of the SS/sc having a different trans (F23) entirely.

 

Gm puts dexron atf in the manual trans because the contents of the fluid is extremely useful. It has many detergants and cleaners and other various chemicals that help clean, and mantain the integrity of all the parts in the transmission itself. Gm's dexron atf is such a good product they advertise its good to use in automatic transmission back to 1949.

 

If you put anything in our transmissions manuel that is other than the gm syncromesh it will void the warranty i highly advise against this

 

Dude.. just no. The owner's manual reccomends Dexron 3, Service Information reccomends Dexron 3, I'm using Royal Purple Dexron 3 compatible ATF.

I've read of people with T56s having problems with their synchronizer cones chunking because of using synchromesh in a trans that calls for Dexron 3 ATF.

 

That's a HUGE change, is that going to take effect in 2007? Cause the 2006s still have the F23 in them, a shift mid-year wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

 

Well, SI is telling me that all 5 spd Cobalts manufactured after 01/07/05 have the Getrag 287. This is the limit to my knowledge of the '06 production run. Its very possible that SS/sc's still come with the F23 through the early '06 model-year production lines. I have no better information to work with, so that's all I know.

 

does anyone have the specs for the f23? the getrag 287 will hold a smidgen over 300tq, i'm hoping the f23 is up there too, if not that's going to put yet another damper on my plans.

the sad thing is the getrag in the pt cruiser holds over 440tq

 

we put royal purple in my dads camaro compared tot he cheap halvoline. WE LOST 3 WHP

 

well, im lookin at the build sheet, and whatever transmission comes with the "fq7 - 4.05 Final Dive Transaxle ratio" is what got in my car...i am interested to find out more about this...ill see if i cant dig a little deeper

 

update

it seems like in order for my car to have then 4.05 fd, it has to have the f35 trans in it...

and according to what im looking at, the base 5speeds have the f23 with the 3.58 final drive

all i know is that i can get to 60 in second, which would work for the f35/m86 trans

 

yeah i wasn't thinking when i posted earlier.... i have a 60+ page pdf on the tranny breakdown and at the top of it.. it says f35 lol...

so does anyone have the tq limits for the f35?

 

from what I've heard, isn't it bad to change your AUTO tranny fluid to anything but the recomended kind? I've heard it messes with the friction plates or somethign like that, doesn't make them work properly

is that true?

 

This is true if you're talking about changing from Dexron III/VI to Ford F-type fluid or something of that nature, however.. if you stick to the fluid certification (Dexron III, Dexron VI) that's listed on the front of the bottles you'll have the proper friction modifiers and general fluid composition that the manufacturer calls for.

For instance, your automatic or manual transmission calls for Dexron III and you switch to Mobil 1 synthetic Dexron III/Mercon. Your transmission will be fine.

Note to everyone, I updated my first post and the topic title... though the latter appearently isn't allowed by users. I've since put RP into my manual transaxle and the results are promising after only 50 miles.

 

^ Thanks, that answers my question!

 

I am interested in this information about the F23 vs the F35..

My website has alot of info I have collected on these transmissions

http://www.fastfieros.com/NEW_manual...ion_ratios.htm

The F23 is weaker in GVW than the F35 from what I have found.

I hope that the F35 stays in the SS/SC, and really that all FWD 5 speeds to hit the productline is F35 instead of the F23.

The F35 has the Quiafe LSD option, and Quiafe indicated that a 6 speed upgrade was coming in 06.

Loyde