Help me find a good manual transmission oil

The MT-LV is a Low Viscosity fluid at 6.3cSt@100C MTF.

A requirement for a 75W80 means you should seek a 10cSt@100C MTF such as the Amsoil MTF.
Seems to be in the same class as Honda MTF2

A.These MTL fluids are closest to a Kinematic Viscosity of 6.X cSt@100C (About the same viscosity as Dexron VI ATF) and SAE 70 or so:
1. Castrol Syntrans FE 75W,
2. BMW (Pentosin) MTF-LT-3,
3. Honda MTII or MTF 2.
4. Ford FML-XT-11-QDC
5. Volvo Manual Transmission Fluid (6.4 cSt) [Recommended for: type M655-speed with 6-cyl. engine, M66, MTX75 and MMT6 and of the type M56, M58 and M59 from and including model year 1996. Meets Ford specification WSSM2C200-D2]
7. Redline MT-LV SAE Viscosity Grade 70W/75W Vis 6.5cst@100°C
 
Nowhere does this say that this oil is a 75W – 80 GL-4. That’s what my car requires.
Use a viscosity chart:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/viscosity-charts/

10.8cSt at 100 is on the cusp of an 80-85 wt gear oil. So the synchromesh product should be about right.

We ran this in our VW Rabbit with great success. I have some posts from probably 2010 on here about it.

GL-4 verified it is yellow metal safe. Any MTL sold as such will be unless stated otherwise. Amsoil specifically states that it is.
 
Nowhere does this say that this oil is a 75W – 80 GL-4. That’s what my car requires.
Well, what others are saying is don't get hung up too much on that and peek under the covers.

Amsoil MTF is in the viscosity range of 75W-80 at 10.1cSt@100°C. That is covered.

GL-4 is not a hard labeling requirement for best transmission life and shifting feel. Mazda says Mazda Long Life Gear Oil G7. The MTF is a good fit.

NOW - I will say shift feel can be extremely user dependent. Notchy to one person is oh so awesome to another.
 
Used redline in my manual Corolla back in the day and my synchros went out with no warning. I’ll never use another redline product in my life. And I know many use it and say it’s amazing. Currently I’m using Ravenol in my Getrag manual transmission (car is Focus ST) and I have used Motul in the past, which felt extremely smooth. You can’t go wrong with Amsoil.
 
Hello everyone, anyone remember me? :)

A couple months ago I bought this stuff for my Mazda 3's 6-speed stick-shift:

https://www.amazon.com/Motul-Motylg...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3PB80S2HKEWED

I was finally getting ready to do the job, then I looked at the label and saw GL5. I remember the warnings about a GL5 in a syncro gearbox and got cold feet. Should I go ahead and use it ... or buy something else? :unsure:

- Bror Jace
 
Hello everyone, anyone remember me? :)

A couple months ago I bought this stuff for my Mazda 3's 6-speed stick-shift:

https://www.amazon.com/Motul-Motylg...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3PB80S2HKEWED

I was finally getting ready to do the job, then I looked at the label and saw GL5. I remember the warnings about a GL5 in a syncro gearbox and got cold feet. Should I go ahead and use it ... or buy something else? :unsure:

- Bror Jace
Not necessarily a problem.

1st thing: What does the Mazda 3 6-speed stick-shift community say? What does Motul recommend? What does Mazda recommend? In that order.
 
Hello everyone, anyone remember me? :)

A couple months ago I bought this stuff for my Mazda 3's 6-speed stick-shift:

https://www.amazon.com/Motul-Motylg...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3PB80S2HKEWED

I was finally getting ready to do the job, then I looked at the label and saw GL5. I remember the warnings about a GL5 in a syncro gearbox and got cold feet. Should I go ahead and use it ... or buy something else? :unsure:

- Bror Jace
People tend to live in ages past without updating their minds. New chemistry these days prevent copper-alloy attack or staining for MTF's with GL-4, GL-5 coverage.

No, no problem, it provides wear protection to cover the GL-4, GL-5 categories.
 
Thanks everyone.

Pablo, I haven’t been active on the Mazda 3 forums, Not sure what Motul says about their fluid above and beyond the printed ratings and I’m sure Mazda recommends their own fluid. 😕

Elkins, I used to be a Red Line Oil fan boy … but their batch inconsistencies years ago made me want to try other brands … and I haven’t been back (other than occasional use of SI-1 cleaner).

Thanks MolaKule, based on your statements I went through with the oil change using the Motul. It was pretty straight-forward (after you remove the belly tray … 14 bolts and fasteners!). The result was a significant improvement in shift feel. The car always shifted well but you could occasionally feel teeth during shifts … especially the 1-2 shift. That’s all gone now. 😊 I may do a UOA on this stuff … but that won’t be for several years.

I may also use this in my S2000 as that calls for Honda MTF. I have also used Amsoil MTF in the past, well see. I have had the S2000 for so long, I don’t drive it as much as I used to so the miles aren't exactly piling up. I just passed 40,000 this summer.
 
A5. Volvo Manual Transmission Fluid (6.4 cSt) ...

... I read somewheres: febi bilstein, is the MTF manufacturer/supplier to Volvo.

API-GL4 & Mercedes MB-235.10

so after locating a few reasonably priced liters, it's goin into our volvo M56 gearbx.

FebiBilst.webp
 
Last edited:
Until my recent F-Type Jag, 100% of my sports cars have been manual transmissions. In the end, not once have I had a lubrication related problem or failure. (the Honda S2000 did lose it's input shaft bearing at low miles, but that was a known design issue, starved for oil)

I've used Royal purple Syncromax MT lube (it seems to be excellent) , Pennzoil MT lube, Mobil 1 ATF, and Redline MTL. My current Jag X-Type has Syncromax in it and at 225K miles, and is still shifting perfectly.
Yup, put the RP syncromesh in our 13 GT500 and it cured "going into 2nd gear notch"...but the Tremec tranny called for tranny fluid, not gear oil. IDK if the RP fluid would be ok in a manual that calls for gear oil.
 
Back
Top Bottom