Should I sue my auto shop?

[Morley]

Just because they filled regular gear oil instead of ATF won't automatically ruin the gear. Check the specs again to see if manual gear can be used. Trannys can be very sensible to the type of oil used. I broke my rear axle in a week because I filled the wrong oil, I misread the markings on the can.

Anyhow, I think you'll never get the money back anyway. A lawsuit is gonna cost $$$. Haven't you got some sort of consumer counsel or similar in the states? Contact them first, most companys don't want trouble with them.

Oh, btw, this is a prime example of why I always use genuine-brand auto-shops or whatever it is called in English. I have heard too many horror stories about independant auto-shops.

[Morley]

they say that ford dealers can only get the fluid in 45 gallon barrels. That probably explains why a small garage might not stock any.

Well, if they filled regular gear-oil instead of ATF into the gearbox because they couldn't get any ATF, sounds silly. ATF Mercon/DexronI+II+III should be easily available everywhere, at least it is here in Europe. One of many things that differs normal gear-oils a _lot_ from ATF is that they contain additives that can eat up bearings and components in a gearbox meant to be run on ATF fluid. If you have to replace the oil in a manual tranny that requires ATF fluid, it is better to use normal motoroil than gearoil as a quick fix until you get hold of the recommended spec. Some gearboxes that require ATF have regular SAE10/40 listed as alternative oil.

[Morley]

@red

Just to answer your original post: Sue the motherf***ers. If they don't cooperate that is.