Marvel Mystery Oil in Transmission: Here's why you DON'T Need It

Many automotive products are highly praised on paper. And because people trust easily, the product puts its roots too deep in the market that no one questions its cons. One such product is Marvel Mystery Oil.

Transmission fluid additives highlights

• Level of importance:Low
• Time interval:no intervals
• Needed expertise:basic
• Needed tools:Basic set of car maintenance tools
• Time taken:0.5-1 hours
• Possible issues:Change of fluid properties, fatal transmission failure, limp mode, extensive transmission wear.

Why You DO NOT Need Marvel Mystery Oil in Your Transmission

The Marvel Mystery Oil is excellent and can do well in your transmission. However, it has some shortcomings, as explained below.  

1) It Is Bad For a Leaking Transmission

While many believe Marvel Mystery Oil helps with leaky gaskets, it worsens them. Is your vehicle's transmission experiencing leaks? Adding this oil may make it worse.

Judging from a user's testimony in a discussion forum, "Bob Is The Oil Guy," the MMO makes leaking gasket increase the rate of the leak to the extent of leaving oil deposits on the driveway. The user says that he added Marvel Mystery Oil to two of his four cars and left two without the additive. According to the user's testimony, the two vehicles with Marvel Mystery Oil had severe leaks that left oil on the driveway.

Although this may be anecdotal evidence, it is enough to tell you that you do not need to use the Marvel Mystery Oil in your transmission if it leaks. It may cause your transmission to develop other problems unnecessarily.

2) Your New Car Does Not Need Marvel Mystery Oil

Many automotive websites and blogs describe the Marvel Mystery Oil as versatile and highly reliable. They say it is suitable for any transmission. Although this may be true, you may not need this oil if your vehicle is barely used.

If you are thinking of a way to make your transmission healthy and long-lasting, Marvel Mystery Oil is not the solution. This oil is detergent-based and may react with some components of the transmission.

Additionally, you may make a mistake and add more than your vehicle needs, exposing your brand-new car to unnecessary problems. If your vehicle is brand new, it may benefit from using the regular transmission fluid without adding anything.

3) Your Old Car Will Not Appreciate It

Do you drive an old car and think that the Marvel Mystery Oil may somehow extend its transmission lifespan? If your vehicle is too old and you have never added this oil to its transmission, do not start now. The explanation is that the chemistry of your old vehicle's transmission system is not the same as many modern cars.

If you have already added it, you have noticed that your vehicle did not get any better. Most modern cars have transmission fluid sensors that determine when an additive is good and when it is not. Your old vehicle does not have such sensors. You may not have a way of knowing when your vehicle rejects the Marvel Mystery Oil.

4) Been Using Non-Detergent Lubricants? Do Not Use MMO

If you have been using non-detergent lubricants for a long time, switching to the detergent-based Marvel Mystery Oil may not end well for your vehicle. It may end up contaminating your transmission fluid instead of improving it.

Just like the human body, vehicles have systems that adapt to specific lubricants. When you change to a different type, the system will treat the new type of additive as a stranger. Your transmission system is already used to non-detergent lubricants; adding the Marvel Mystery Oil may damage some components of the transmission system.

Insisting on using Marvel Mystery Oil may block transmission fluid lines, leading to heavy damage.

When Can I Use Marvel Mystery Oil?

Marvel Mystery Oil is a great additive that you can use on different applications. We have examined why you do not need this detergent-based additive on your transmission. Let us look at when you may need to use the Marvel Mystery oil. This may include the engine or the transmission.

1) When You Need to Clean Your Fuel System

You can use this Marvel Oil product to clean your vehicle's fuel and fuel system. Mixing it with fuel minimizes carbon monoxide emissions and removes any traces of water in the fuel. Essentially, you can use this additive to remove any form of deposits from the fuel that threaten the health of your engine. With cleaner fuel comes longer gas mileage.

There are alternative products you can use to clean your fuel system. Such alternatives include Seafoam. However, when comparing the two, MMO wins the contest because of its wide range of applications. Adding Marvel Mystery Oil to any fuel helps remove harmful elements from the fuel system.

2) If You Live In Cold Regions, MMO Prevents Oil from Thickening

If you live in regions that experience frigid temperatures, Marvel Mystery Oil is an excellent product for you. You can also use it during winter when temperatures drop. Adding this additive to your engine oil or transmission fluid may keep the lubricants from thickening. Marvel Mystery Oil has oil-thinning capabilities that will be useful during cold seasons.

Extremely low temperatures can make your engine oil or transmission fluid as thick as maple syrup. This causes the engine to strain. The oil filter also experiences difficulties passing the oil through to other engine components.

You can use Marvel Mystery Oil to thin out your fluid to the degree that allows the vehicle to run smoothly. This helps improve the health of the engine and transmission system. Marvel Mystery Oil will also relieve you of cold start struggles.

3) If You Live In Regions Plagued With Rust

Marvel Mystery Oil has excellent qualities that can prevent your engine and transmission components from rusting. You may need to use this product if you reside in regions plagued with rust. If you have not started your engine in a long time or live in cold areas, water condensation may occur on the bore, gradually removing the protective oil film that keeps the engine cylinders from rusting.

The Marvel Mystery Oil has a formula that effectively strengthens this protective film. Adding it to the fuel prevents your vehicle from any potential damage caused by rust and corrosion.

4) You Can Use MMO to Remove Stuck Spark Plugs

Changing your vehicle's spark plugs may be difficult, especially if they are stuck due to rust and other factors. The Marvel Mystery Oil is not only applicable inside the engine. You can also use it on the outside.

If your spark plugs are stuck, spray or drip some Marvel Mystery Oil to them and give it a short while. The MMO will dissolve the rust buildup around the spark plugs, allowing you to remove them quickly.

5) When You Have Ticking Lifters

Ticking lifters is not a pleasant symptom. It can wear your patience thin, at the same time damaging your engine and shortening its lifespan. The reason you have ticking lifters is oil deposit buildup. This buildup prevents camshafts or pushrods from making contact with the lifters.

The Marvel Mystery Oil has superb cleaning capabilities that can disappear all oil deposits. Taking care of the ticking lifters enhances the engine's performance and elongates its lifespan.

Conclusion

The reasons you do not need Marvel Mystery Oil in your transmission are plenty. However, the detergent-based additive has other possible uses that greatly enhance your vehicle's performance. If you know how to use the oil properly, the Marvel Mystery Oil can improve your transmission's performance.

This oil has been on the market for a long time. You only need to know when you can use it and when not to use it. You can consult your mechanic to avoid misusing this oil and causing unexpected problems to your engine or transmission.