Can't Find GL-4/GL-5 for Transaxle that Shifts OK

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

ARCOgraphite

Joined
May 17, 2009
Messages
22,086
Location
N.H, U.S.A.
I just want a good lube where my Yaris MT will shift like factory. I currently have Amalie 75W-90 GL-3/GL-4/GL-5 MT-1 in there and its not working - balky synchros - worse on 4th gear! Any NORMAL dino 75w-90 or 80w-90 GL-5 have been found to work and give YOU good shift quality in Japanese or American small car FWD transaxles? Valvoline? Castrol? WPP? I know redline MTL or amsoil MTG should work but I just want to go to my local autoparts store and buy a suposssedly compatible GL-5 off the shelf for 5 bucks and have it work. There are millions of light duty economy cars out there with FWD combined transaxles - what are they running?!
 
Last edited:
What's acctually recommended for a Yaris? Does it even need a heavy gear oil, or did it use ATF as the factory fill?

I've written a lot of hostile verbiage about the stupidity of Aisin transmissions in that they re-worked the AX-15 (used in Jeeps like the Cherokee and a similar transmission was used in RWD Toyotas for years) in 1996, and used synchro materials that are incompatible with GL-5 fluid. In fact, they're none too happy with GL-4 and the strict factory recommendation is GL-3. Yeah, right- just TRY to find a GL-3 fluid on the market today! Fluids that say "GL-3, GL-4, and GL-5 compatible" need not apply, because while the spec may be backward compatible, the additives that make GL5 what it is are corrosive to some synchro materials, and also don't have enough friction to let the syncrhos grab properly. So Chrysler put out a TSB recommending synthetic 10w40 ENGINE oil for Jeeps with the AX-15. I tried it, and darned if it didn't work far better than the high-priced GL-4 rated Redline MT90 I was using before.

I can't believe that the Yaris, being as new as it is, actually is incompatible with GL-4 or even GL-5, IF it needs a gear oil at all. If it needs ATF, try that or something like RP Synchromax. GM also has a transfer case fluid that is reported to work well in gearboxes that don't need GL-5 like hypoid gear lubrication.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I just want a good lube where my Yaris MT will shift like factory. I currently have Amalie 75W-90 GL-3/GL-4/GL-5 MT-1 in there and its not working - balky synchros - worse on 4th gear! Any NORMAL dino 75w-90 or 80w-90 GL-5 have been found to work and give YOU good shift quality in Japanese or American small car FWD transaxles? Valvoline? Castrol? WPP? I know redline MTL or amsoil MTG should work but I just want to go to my local autoparts store and buy a suposssedly compatible GL-5 off the shelf for 5 bucks and have it work. There are millions of light duty economy cars out there with FWD combined transaxles - what are they running?!


Why not buy the Toyota gear oil?
 
Most GL-5 gear oils will be worse because they usually contain FM's. I bought a bunch of QS 80W-90 GL-4 "for manual transmissions" $1.50/qt at BL a couple years ago. (PM your address to me and I will send you what you need to try it out.) I don't believe it is still made, however. I probably will not use the QS anymore since the Amsoil MTF and MTG are both working so well in everything I have tried. The synthetic is worth it for me, esp since shift feel stays excellent for so long.

I cannot see how a GL-5 is needed for your app since usually only required in heavily loaded or hypoid gearsets. I have not found any good, cheap choices for a manual gearbox lube, outside of the now obsolete QS stuff I picked up on the cheap.

If you can go thinner, try some PZ synchromesh. It has the right frictional properties for your synchronizers and not as expensive as the RP synthetic stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
If you looking for a 75W-90 why not go to your local parts store and buy some Mobil 1.


That was HORRIBLE in my trans-axle. They took away their "recommended for manual transmissions" off the marketing web site a few years ago.
21.gif


Here is the thread on Mobil 1 "gear" oils that I started a few years ago ---> Disapointed in Mobil 1 gear oil

I'd only run that stuff in diffs.

Bill
 
Arco - You and I already know that Redline or Amsoil would be your best bet, overall.
And it really is worth ordering them.
But Pennzoil Synchromesh is readily available over the counter for $6-7. It is lighter than a 75-90, of course.
But it is tough, and very good for light duty transaxles. It shifts REALLY well, esp when new. Perfect shifting can goes away somewhat over time, but not always.
 
I was worried the syncromesh would bee too thin since the GL4 is 14-17 cSt and the Pennzoil under 10cSt. The yaris spec GL-4/ GL-5. I dumped the fill since it had 30K hard miles on it and there was some pretty loud whine in the summer. Shifting has been perfect until the oil changeout. I was going to dump a pint of the fill and sub some 30w ND oil in to see if that help for the spring/summer. I was just heading to the city wher there are many autoparts stores like Pep Boys and AZ. I Guess there really is nothing normal on the market that works and I think thats completely unreasonable given the ubiquitous nature of small cars with FWD combined transaxles. AFA a syn motor oil substitute in the gearbox, was thinking M1 racing 4T real syn bike oil and wet clutch compatible would be a #1 choice?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Johnny
If you looking for a 75W-90 why not go to your local parts store and buy some Mobil 1.
I've read reports on small car forums everywhere that the M1 absolutely does not work in combined transaxles - no synchro braking at all.
 
With the 4T, you are well on your way costwise to just getting the MTG. What about a 5W-40 HDEO syn like Rotella or M1 TDT? The 5W would probably shift a little better first thing in the morning with NH winter temps. The 4T would shear less over time than the syn HDEO, and possibly have better antiwear properties for your MT gearbox. You won't know if any of these will shift well until you try em.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
There are millions of light duty economy cars out there with FWD combined transaxles - what are they running?!
Redline MT-90 (GL-4) in mine and it works perfectly.
 
I had very good results with Pennzoil synthetic GL-4,Supershift I think it was.Customers would come back and say they had just wanted the oil changed,not a reconditioned gearbox.Fixed both crunchy and balked shifts....although it sometimes took weeks to notice the difference.
 
Dang! I cant get the 24mm fill plug off with a 1.5' breaker bar and hammer taps, so, I'm done. My tech must of used an air gun on this!
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
There are millions of light duty economy cars out there with FWD combined transaxles - what are they running?!


Pretty well anything that is rated correctly from the MFG. Some fluids are better than others.

I've been using Amsoils lube for the last 100,000+ miles on the same fill in the Toyota and its STILL just as good as it was the day I put it in. That is about 1000 times better than the poor fluid I took out.
 
Start reading here.
GL-4 vs GL-5

There is a huge difference. if it says GL-5, forget anything else it says unless you are talking just the differential.

GL-3 shouldn't be that hard to find in some viscosities. Nissan and Mitsubishi are recommending them in 75W-80 and 75W-85. I carry 75W-80 GL-3 for the Mitsubishi dealers.
 
Arco,get some Amsoil MTG and I promise you won`t be sorry. It`s totally worth the price!!!!!!! My car shifts smooth as silk when it`s cold,BUT,it shifts even smoother when it`s good and hot. Amsoil MTG seems to react really well with manual transmission heat. Other fluids I tried got unbearably notchy once good and hot,but the Amsoil shifts better the hotter the transmission gets.
 
Also,I emailed ExxonMobil one time and they told me their GL5 75W90 LS is *NOT* for synchromized manual transmissions and could damage them.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Also,I emailed ExxonMobil one time and they told me their GL5 75W90 LS is *NOT* for synchromized manual transmissions and could damage them.


I wish I had a copy of that. I got an email from the local ExxonMobil distributor last week threatening legal action for telling people that.
 
It also used to say on the product description that it`s not suitable for synchonized manual transmissions (not sure if it still does),and they also told me ExxonMobil doesn`t make a product that is suitable for my application (my Z`s 5 speed manual transmission).

I can`t believe they`d try to threaten you with legal action. That`s insane! You should told them they need to educate themselves on manual transmission internals and sulphurs in GL5 oils. It`s common knowledge that GL5 oil will/can/may harm certain brass or bronze synchros (maybe not current ones,but in older ones). It also says in the Z32 fsm and my owner`s manual not to use GL5 oils in it and to only use GL4. I know a guy who has a Z32 who destroyed the synchros using a GL5 oil. Luckily Nissan replaced the transmission under new car warranty.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
HPL Manual Transmission Life...vs Other GL-4 Synthetics?
Replies
10
Views
1K
edyvw
C
Toyota C64 Manual Transaxle Oil for Celica 7th 2ZZ-GE
Replies
8
Views
843
celica7ts
H
oil for 1990 Toyota corolla all-trac wagon (ae95) transmission/transfer case
Replies
9
Views
987
MolaKule
MolaKule
  • Locked
  • Sticky
Updated List of MTFs
Replies
0
Views
7K
MolaKule
T
  • Locked
70W-80 GL-5 MTF for Subarus
Replies
12
Views
3K
MolaKule
Back
Top Bottom