Manual Transmission/Transfer Case Fluid

[Winston]

Why doesn't Mobil make a fluid that is good for GL-4 manual transmissions? Neither does Valvoline or Castrol. They only have fluids that are good for differentials.

However, if you go to Pennzoil they have specific fluids for manual transmissions and specific fluids for diffy's. They have both synthetic and dyno versions.

My manual calls for GL-4 75W90 or 75W85 for the manual transmission and transfer Case(Mitsubishi). GL-5 or higher for the diffy's at 80W90 or 85W90.

Pennzoil has;

GearPlus GL-4 80W90
GearPlus GL-5 80W90
Synthetic Gear oil GL-4 75W90
Synthetic Gear oil GL-5 75W90

Why don't the other mfg's make specific oils like Pennzoil?

http://www.pennzoil.com/products.html

 

[tdi-rick]

quote:

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Why doesn't Mobil make a fluid that is good for GL-4 manual transmissions? Neither does Valvoline or Castrol. They only have fluids that are good for differentials.

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Mobil has its SHC 30 and SHC 50 manual trans lubes.....for the heavy rigs

quote:

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The outstanding performance of this product is confirmed by its approval for heavy-duty transmissions built by ZF, MAN, and Volvo. Mobiltrans SHC 30 is recommended for transmissions and non-hypoid gear cases where API Service GL-1 through GL-4 gear protection is required.

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Valvoline has a couple of manual trans lubes available here, and Castrol's range of mineral and synthetic (PAO/ester) manual trans lubes in various viscosities available in Europe and the Asia/Pacific is vast.
Maybe you don't live in the right place..

 

[tdi-rick]

BTW, SHC 30 is equivalent to a 10w30 engine oil or 75W-85 trans oil, and SHC 50 is equivalent to a 20W-50 engine oil or a 75W-90 gear oil. Both are API GL-3, GL-4, MT-1

 

[m2200b]

I'm also in the Bay Area and just use Redline
GL4 from Benecia (MT and 75-90). I suppose you could use the M1 or Penn syn in your diff but its not priced less around here and I like the Redline better than dino I had by miles. You can add some MTL to MT or use MTL if you had good results with 75-85 in your trannie before. MT is 75-90.

 

[Rebel Rouser]

Castrol's Syntorq LT is a 75W-85 GL-4 manual transmission lubricant. However, it's availability is limited, usually only from Mopar or GM dealerships, and $$$.

Speciality Formulations has an array of GL-4/GL-5 lubricants available, and much more cost effective than the above mentioned.

 

[Winston]

Ah, Alamo. I actually live in Danville. Monument auto parts has Redline, and I have considered using it. However, it is not API certified. Although that does not bother me to much, it bothers me a little.

BTW, Monument has quite a few of the hard to find Mobil 1 weights. 0W40, 5W20.

 

[tdi-rick]

FWIW, we use Redline MT90 in our Nissan Patrol g/box, which calls for a 75W-90 GL4. I use a MTL/MT90 brew in my Land Rover, just to combat oil thinning in summer for its gearbox that specs a 75W-80.
Does anyone have any specs on the Castrol Syntorq 75W-85 ?? I'm curious to see if it's the same stuff as Castrol Syntrans (pao/ester) that is sold here and in Europe and is a very, very good MT fluid.
Personally, I'd try Molakule's SF fluids where you are. I'd like to use them, but the freight here is a killer.

 

[MolaKule]

quote:

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Why doesn't Mobil make a fluid that is good for GL-4 manual transmissions?

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THAT was OUR first market niche and we developed our line of four lubes precisely because the big boys weren't doing it.

Now every Tom, ****, and Harry is jumping on the band wagon.

 

[LarryM]

MolaKule, I think that you're pretty safe.

One thing that I've discovered is that although the major oil companies have catalogs of great products, they don't want to SELL them to you.

Call up your local Pennzoil distributor and ask him for some of their Gearplus GL-4, or call your local Chevron distributor and ask for Chevron Manual Transaxle Fluid. The answer on the first will be "..I don't think we carry that.." the answer on the second is "..it's available in 100 lb containers, at a cost of $400, and you'll get it in three to four months.." (They won't ship a single item. They wait until they have a truckload coming from their warehouse in Charleston, SC, and throw your stuff on the truck.)

As long as you'll sell and ship me three quarts of one of your products when I need it, you're providing a valuable service.