Cold Gearbox Question
 

I've noticed that the colder it is outside the more "chatty" my gearbox is when first driving. After getting warmed up there is no gear "whine". I have 16k on the car and the temp outside was around 30 F. Is this a normal sound?

Hi,

Well, it's normal for a cold gearbox to make more noise until warm, but not knowing your car of actually hearing it I can't say for sure, but suspect it's normal.

Gearlube takes a lot more time to warmup than Motor Oil or ATF. The only heat it picks up is from the friction in the gearbox and whatever compression it goes through between the gear teeth. But, make sure you have the Lube properly Topped Up.

Of course, the Engine has this, but also produces it's own heat and with the 'T' stat closed, retains this heat until warmed.

An Automatic compresses it's fluid with pumps which heat it in the process, and also (especially in the case of the Tip S) has a Fluid-to-Coolant heat exchanger (Transmission Cooler). In the case of a Cold Start, this heat exchange between the fluids actually works in reverse with the Coolant adding heat to the ATF, not extracting it. So both the Engine and Tranny warmup faster than a Manual Box which is why you should take it easy until the Box fully warms...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

My gearbox makes no major noise when cold but that 1-2 shift is not so happy until it warms up a little.

Idling the engine for five minutes before I take off on cold mornings does loosen up my tranny shifts a bit. Must be the heat from the engine transferring to the tranny case.

You may want to go with Red Line Trans oil next time you change. Ester based oil is very fluid at lower temps. This might help a great deal.

Good luck.