Most service advisors are idiots. I'm betting he saw the invoice and just made up the bit about using ATF.
But I would switch and check the old stuff just to be sure.

I'm currantly using LUCAS OIL 75 / 90 which is good for performance and heavy duty work loads but ATF. WTF was that dealership thinking. BTW: which dealership was it cause I'm making sure I don't go there.

Did you ever find out what they put in there?

Great thread BTW, I found exactly what I was searching for

Not to totally fire up an old thread or anything, so sorry if that is the case.

I used to own a Ford Escort with a MTX, and the factory manual for that one actually did suggest to run ATF in it instead of a gear lube. I checked several places, including various forums, the dealer, and my FSM. I found it to be bizzare, but that was the case.

Alright, now that Im done with the totally random and useless info, hopefully you got to the bottom of things. I would try to see what you have for fluid in there before you do a complete change, and if its ATF then the dealer can pull it and see that they botched things.

At least then its in their service log and you have a leg to stand on if some damage has been done....