Thread: Does using a thicker oil reduce auto whine?

It's likely a transfer case whine. The auto should be dead silent, one of the first things I noticed going from a manual to an auto. Hell, I'd be worried if its whining.

Penrite used to do an ATF called BMV, it was honey coloured and was a tad heavier, mine used to go very well using that. They've discontinued it now, so it seems.

I suppose it could be a transfer case whine, it's a bit hard for a mug like me to tell.
The auto has had regular oil changes so the oil should be OK. It works very well, with no problems at all, except it does clunk a little bit when going between reverse and drive. I actually had it serviced and they said they'd checked it over and tightened it up a bit, whatever that means.
It works fine, but its just a bit noisy at times, and the whine comes and goes depending on revs and gears and the position of the accelerator. I can adjust the whine by moving the accelerator.
I was driving the son's Focus today and thinking how quiet the auto was. Maybe I'm just being paranoid or fussy or whatever. I just wondered if a thicker oil might make any difference, but I don't want to affect the changes. It's done 290,000 km, so I guess a bit of noise is to be expected.

I'd only use what's listed here .

Sounds like a pretty healthy auto for 290,000... don't rock the boat

Thanks for that. Think I'll just stick with the ATF Dex III.

I wonder what noises the focus would make after 290,000 km's?

Dunno, but the Focus is going really well at 90k. Like that car a lot.

Originally Posted by B92 8NW

I'd only use what's listed here .

[snip]

Ditto.

You can't swap ATF's around easily as their frictional characteristics are vitally important, (they vary a lot, depending on application)

You need to stick to the manufacturers recommendations, or at least a fluid with compatible characteristics, and you definitely can't use a manual trans fluid in place of one, I reckon that would end up being an expensive exercise.

The clunk is most likely worn output shaft spline on transmission and worn input gear on transfer case.
The whine is typical of the early LT230 transfer cases. They changed the angle of the teeth in the D2s to reduce the noise.
Just enjoy it, they're supposed to whine a bit, especially around 90kph