08 Lexus IS250 6 speed manual OEM Fluid (??)

[Kraz]

Here are the report from my 08 Lexus IS250, 6 speed manual RWD. I think the factory fill is a 75w-85 but not sure. Car has 18,000 miles.
At this replacement i filled it with AMS oil Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90 GL-4 and i did notice smoother shifting and quieter transmission operation. Also cold weather shifting has improved significantly. I will do a used oil analysis on the AMS oil in maybe another 20,000 miles to see how its doing.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Just run it to 150,000 miles and change it.

No need for a used oil analysis. Save the $$.

 

[Kraz]

Sorry, I can't seem to make image show. Here is link.

click here to view

 

[Bill in Utah]

How about?

 

[Kraz]

Thanks Bill for fixing up my disasters with the images.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Kraz
Thanks Bill for fixing up my disasters with the images.


No problem!

Good to go...

 

[unDummy]

Interesting additive package.

110ppm wear in ~30k miles isn't too bad especially considering normal break-in wear.

Run the Amsoil to 30k and UOA.

 

[Kraz]

In the manual it recommends 75w85 GL-4 or GL-5. I decided to try the GL-4 and im assuming thats why it shifts smoother now.

 

[Bror Jace]

Bill: "Just run it to 150,000 miles and change it."

Nope ... not in a synchromesh transmission. You can get away with this in differentials (I still don't recommend it) but NOT in a modern manual transmission.

The oil shears and miles on the oil degrades the add pack and possibly even the friction modifiers. The shift quality will degrade and this means less-than-perfect gear engagement which will wear out your synchros.

Without even looking at the service manual, I'd say it's a good rule to drain and refill any and all manual transmissions every 50,000 miles.

Whether to bother with a used oil analysis is debatable ... but I appreciate seeing it.

Kraz "In the manual it recommends 75w85 GL-4 or GL-5. I decided to try the GL-4 and I'm assuming that's why it shifts smoother now."

Nope ... it's probably because the factory fill was mineral ... and fresh oil means fresh friction modifiers for the improved feel ... assuming the resulting coefficient of friction is one the transmission likes ... that's not always the case. GL4 vs GL5 is about the AW/EP characteristics of the oil and should not factory into shift feel.

 

[5sfe91]

Hey Bill, we have a 07 Corolla 5spd 51k miles and i was wondering at what mileage did you change your trans-axle/transmission fluid out?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: 5sfe91
Hey Bill, we have a 07 Corolla 5spd 51k miles and i was wondering at what mileage did you change your trans-axle/transmission fluid out?


First time around 15-20k (Its been a long time and I just got up

) then the 2nd time around 60k (that fluid was [censored] and did not last even 40-45k) and I've got close to over 100k on this fill. 2 quarts and I even did a little post on how to do on this board.

Look here and if you have any comments ask over on that thread.

Take care, bill

 

[charlie_bravo]

Kraz...
As a side thread, how do you like the manual IS?
Thanks.

 

[Kraz]

Well at idle it does have a slight marble rattle sound from the release bearing but everyone that has this transmission has that issue. As for actual shifting its nice and smooth, im glad i picked up the 6spd