A5 Transmission fluid Issue This issue arose due to reports from many Tomos moped operators which have reported problems in regards to the engine's ability to shift between 1st and 2nd gear. It seems that incorrect transmission fluid can cause clutch slipping and results in costly repairs. A side issue are the factory's obsolete fluid recommendations in the owner's manual, since the oil is no longer available on the market. From: wdickerson@greenapple.com Subject: Tomos Transmission Lube The Tomos A35 operator's manual specifies Type A Suffix A Automatic Transmission Fluid as the correct oil for the automatic gearbox. Dexron, Dexron II, Dexron IIE and Dexron III are the later versions of this basic ATF lubricant family. These newer type fluids are superior for automotive transmissions which have pressure pumps and fluid torque converters and different types of clutches...However, I would suppose that the unique design of the Tomos automatic gearbox with drum type centrifugal clutches and no pressure pump or torque converter would suggest that the older specification Type A Suffix A fluid which this transmission was designed around, would be more suitable for long clutch life and proper gear lubrication! All types of fluid are readily available in Europe so I would assume that the Tomos engineers have a reason for recommending the Type A Suffix A product rather than a later Dexron specification product. Here in the United States, the Dexron III product has become the standard and it is almost impossible to find the Type A Suffix A product! After an exhaustive search for Type A Suffix A product in the U.S., I have found only one company which distributes ATF Type A Suffix A product. For those Tomos owners and dealers in the U.S. who would wish to purchase this product, here is the information: Coastal Unilube, Inc. P.O. Box 2048 West Memphis, Arkansas 72303 Product Part # 11501 Type A Suffix A Automatic Transmission Fluid The Dexron III fluid has a higher viscosity at 100 degrees C. but at much cooler normal operating temperature of the fluid in the Tomos application, I suspect that the Type A fluid is much more viscous (thicker) than the Dexron III. My perception (which may not be accurate) is that the whine of the straight cut gears is less with Type A than it is with Dexron as I have experimented with both...Incidentally my new machine is a Type A35SL Sprint which is the "2000 model year" ...the label on the frame head says 01/00 (January 2000)......It was filled from the factory with Type A which I was able to identify by viscosity and odor which is distinctly different from the Dexron fluids! Will Dickerson, Lancaster, Ohio Official reply from Tomos Service Department is as follows: We recommend any oil for use in the A5 engine's transmission as long as it's intended for use in automatic transmission application.