Scotty, I have an issue with my 2014 Fiat 500L 6 speed manual. In cold temperatures the transmission is stiff to shift, 2nd gear is scratchy, and 3rd and 5th squeak and feel like they don't fully engage unless or until the gear oil is warm. I made a video on it also to have proof of the symptoms (for what it's worth). Any help or advice on what the solution would be is appreciated. I just did the transmission fluid about 700 miles ago and used Royal Purple 75W90 gear oil.
It is. i live in Western NY and was told that Mopar fluid for it is 90 because of the transmission build by the dealership and also because I was advised that 90 was recommended for the colder temperatures.
Well, at least according to the information in that forum the factory fluid is straight 75W. A lot of dealers don't know their rear ends from a hole in the ground so you may want to look into it a bit more. The symptoms you are experiencing are consistent with the oil being too thick for the ambient temperature. I would hope that's the cause rather than transmission wear.
What's the difference between straight 75W and 75W-90?
See the information and experiences in the Fiat 500 forum linked previously which discusses specifications and flow rates. I've experienced for myself what a difference using the right manual transmission lube makes in cold weather.
unfortunately, the 75W oil did not solve my issue. My shifts are still Steph so I'm not exactly sure if there's a transmission issue or what the exact problem is.
That points to an internal transmission problem, unfortunately.
what do you think the issue could be, or is it hard to determine?
Hard to say, if you're lucky it might even be just the shift linkage is out of adjustment. Or, synchros could be worn or shifter forks bent. I'm not familiar enough with those cars to hazard a guess as to what's going on inside the transmission.
What's the difference between straight 75W and 75W-90?
it is directly related to temperature
https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/multigrade-oil/
So that being said then since it was only happening in 2 gears and then stops after the fluid is warm in the transmission, should i change it to 75W? Or can it be left as is? I was having shifting issues even before i changed the fluid
Is that the correct lube for that transmission? See the following in a Fiat 500 forum:
http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/showthread.php?36655-Manual-Transmission-Fluid-Options
"Because you are in Atlanta viscosity won't be so much of an issue but the mistake a lot of people make is to go to the local auto parts store and pick up some 75W90. It's far too thick (high viscosity) for most modern manual transmissions, including ours. The dealer fluid is a straight 75W, which is similar in pouring to an automatic transmission fluid. Pretty thin."
...
"Yep, the only way you'd get away with using that Royal Purple stuff is if you live in the south and even then it falls well outside of Fiat's specifications for viscosity. Oils that are too thick can cause not only shifting problems when cold but excessive wear in the transmission."
It sometimes happens to my Auris too. Between shifting I rev the engine a little bit up in such case and it shifts easier.
It is. i live in Western NY and was told that Mopar fluid for it is 90 because of the transmission build by the dealership and also because I was advised that 90 was recommended for the colder temperatures. Also, because I personally don't like Mopar parts I went with a different brand. Thing is, it was acting this way last year when the Mopar fluid was initially in it