Please suggest a VW transmission fluid

[TN_OIL]

What does VW say to use?

In the manual that was written over a decade ago, they stated to use OEM fluid (they often say that about oil and oil filters, too, but we all know that's a bit much). We all know that VW doesn't manufacture fluid, so it's fair to ask if the information written in a 10 year old book is still accurate given the fact that fluid technology has changed/improved over the years.

I also can't help but think that many of the dealerships just badge engineer stuff and therefore charge a premium price because of the extra steps they have to take.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

In the manual that was written over a decade ago, they stated to use OEM fluid (they often say that about oil and oil filters, too, but we all know that's a bit much). We all know that VW doesn't manufacture fluid, so it's fair to ask if the information written in a 10 year old book is still accurate given the fact that fluid technology has changed/improved over the years.

I also can't help but think that many of the dealerships just badge engineer stuff and therefore charge a premium price because of the extra steps they have to take.

Yes, VW will say to use OEM, but will have a spec number next to it. Usually the letter G followed by a bunch of numbers

 

[930.engineering]

.
'The letter G followed by a bunch of numbers' is a part number for a fluid
like 'G 052 527' and 'G 060 175', followed by A1, A2 etc (just the size of
the container). The corresponding 'specs' are 'TL 525 27' and 'TL 601 75'.
.

 

[edyvw]

new tune makes more torque, caused the original clutch to slip

Ah. SMF?

 

[beanbag137]

DMF, because I'm a normie.
BTW, the Redline MT-LV has been in for a few hundred miles now. I might like it less than the old, used OEM fluid. Initially, the MT-LV shifting into 2nd would go "pause, clunk" into gear. It was slower than OEM, but at least "solid". Now it goes "pause (a little shorter) clunk-clunk". like there's a double click or "shift lever hits two things" when it goes into gear. Still slower than used OEM fluid, which went into gear with no pause but more of a "crunch" instead. (hits lots of little things)

 

[930.engineering]

.
Worse shifting from 1st to 2nd isn't desirable as it inevitably leads to the suspicion
this RL MT-LV comes with less than ideal FMs (for your MQ350/02Q transmission).

I'd recommend to keep with this factory fill. However there are some decent
alternatives still existing. Shift feel retains more or less the same as the factory
MTF:

Castrol Transmax V 75W-80 (formerly Syntrans Manual V-FE 75W-80 > same, great shift feel)
Redline MTL 75W-80 (like Castrol marginally thicker compared to factory fill, mixed results)
Ravenol MTF-2 75W-80 (I tried it in my Cooper's Getrag, but some run it in GTIs and Rs)
VW G 052 171 (factory fill up to 2012, less costly than VW G 052 527 > virtually same feel)

.

 

[Sumboodie]

G070726A2

 

[930.engineering]

.
Your reasoning?
.

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

After doing some more reading, I came to the conclusion that to get better low temperature smoothness, I'd need an oil with a low viscosity at 40C. Other names that came up were Redline MT-LV, Febi Bilstein 21829, and Fuchs Titan Sintofluid 75W. They all brand themselves as "high efficiency", fuel-saving, etc. The OEM VW fluid around here is $50-60 per bottle.

Here are the viscosity at 40C numbers I found:
G052527A2: 27.6
Redline MT-LV: 30
Castrol Transmax Manual V 75W-80: 40
Fuchs Titan Sintofluid 75W: 40.8
Febi 21829 : 40.8 the same?
So it does look like the OEM is the thinnest, with Redline MT-LV a close second.

Febi 21829 is probably the best deal here. Amsoil is 2x the price and not 2x as good. Might want to try the forums for your specific vehicle. For mine, the racing crew and tuners (not necessarily for a tuned car) prefer either Fuchs Sinto Fluid or factory, in that order.

I'm currently on my second fill of factory VW G-052-171-A2 (I guess "Dino" because 2013 or whatever) and it runs very smooth in all seasons. You could also try Ravenol or Liquimoly. Factory VW G-052-171-A2 is hard to come by these days.

Personally, I think the OEM stuff is just Castrol Transmax FE 75W, though I'm just basing that on the shape of the bottle and spout, and the fact that Castrol is the official OEM oil for VAG.

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

VW G 052 171 (factory fill up to 2012, less costly than VW G 052 527 > virtually same feel)

2013.

 

[MolaKule]

BTW, I still have the old used oil laying around, although it may be a few percent contaminated with other oil from my disposal jug. Worthwhile to send it in for viscosity analysis?

Yes for sure. This will allow us to see the viscosity at two temps and the general additive signature. How much and what kind of other fluid is mixed with it? This may skew the results slightly.

 

[930.engineering]

2013.

The change from VW G 052 171 to G 052 527 has been happened in September 2012
since we're talking about the 02Q/MQ350 and the OP's Golf R Mk7. Yes, America uses
to get new models a tad later . . . .
AFAIK VW G 052 527 has been first introduced with the launch of the VW Up (of course
not available in the US) between Dec 2011 and April 2012.

I'm currently on my second fill of factory VW G-052-171-A2 (I guess "Dino" because 2013 or whatever) and it runs very smooth in all seasons.

There hasn't been a single OE VW 75W "dino oil" unless you count HC/group 3 as dino.

Factory VW G-052-171-A2 is hard to come by these days.

In the USA maybe. A non issue in Europe, easily obtainable.

Personally, I think the OEM stuff is just Castrol Transmax FE 75W, though I'm just basing that on the shape of the bottle and spout, and the fact that Castrol is the official OEM oil for VAG.

I too think most probably most current Volkswagen gear oils do come from
Castrol, but if VW G 052 171 are same as Transmax FE 75W or not, who knows.
For sure Castrol supplies gear oils (some at least) to Volkswagen as to BMW/Mini.
.

 

[beanbag137]

Personally, I think the OEM stuff is just Castrol Transmax FE 75W, though I'm just basing that on the shape of the bottle and spout, and the fact that Castrol is the official OEM oil for VAG.

They have different viscosities, as I noted earlier. However, it's entirely possible that Castrol makes a custom blend for VW.

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

The change from VW G 052 171 to G 052 527 has been happened in September 2012

G 052 171 was listed as factory spec for my 2013.

There hasn't been a single OE VW 75W "dino oil" unless you count HC/group 3 as dino.

I guess American humor doesn't cross the pond well.

In the USA maybe. A non issue in Europe, easily obtainable.

Send some my way!

 

[Daytona]

Goofball tuners don't know the difference from gear oil to MTF, and recommend 75w-90 GL-5 because that's the limit of their knowledge.

VW OE fluid is very thin, as thin as ATF, I believe. Synchromesh is intended to replace all MTF, and does a great job as a midweight GL-4. Thicker than OE means smoother and better power handling, and power transmission too (going out on a limb) So try cheap Synchromesh, Pennzoil or Valvoline very inexpensive on Amazon now.

I use Fuchs Ester Whatever before, and of course Redline MT80. AMSoil is a good bet too. About 9-11cSt visc is ideal....

 

[Daytona]

Syncromesh is nice and thin in cold

 

[930.engineering]

The change from VW G 052 171 to G 052 527 has been happened in September 2012
since we're talking about the 02Q/MQ350 and the OP's Golf R Mk7. Yes, America uses
to get new models a tad later . . . ..

G 052 171 was listed as factory spec for my 2013.

I'm talking about the the production date and the OP's Mk7 R with its
02Q transmission. It at least applies to drivetrains built in Germany.
Any Mk7 with the 02Q (2.0 TSI and 2.0 TDI with manual gearbox) came
with VW G 052 527, while Mk5 and Mk6 with similar engines did come
with VW G 052 171 from the factory.
Anyway, both VW G 052 171 and G 052 527 are very similar, virtually
same viscosity and probably similar ad packs. While I guess the newer
one is superior I'd bet you could try them both in any 02Q. Both are
75W or even 70W-75 GL-4.
MSDS for VW G 052 527 2023 says 27,6 cSt (40°C) and 6,1 cSt (100°C),
desity of 0,851, a lowish pourpoint of -51°C and flashpoint of 208°C,
suggesting a group 3/4 mix.
Personally I have driven dozens of Audi A3 8P, TT 8J and Mk5 and Mk6
with G 052 171 and shifting has almost always great.

That said, Castrol actually recommends Transmax Manual V 75W-80 as
a replacement for VW G 052 527:

https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...275180280258B2A0045C68F/$File/wepp-d5ntws.pdf

https://msdspds.castrol.com/msdspds...=Full&spu=Lubricants&unrestrictedmb=No&cols=0

Yes, with 8.1 and 40 cSt it's thicker compared to VW G 052 171 and G 052 527,
just like common Synchromesh fluids, BUT probably better for this application.
Obviously Castrol designed Transmax Manual V 75W-80 to work in 02Q trans-
missions while very most Synchromesh fluids don't.

.

 

[930.engineering]

Goofball tuners don't know the difference from gear oil to MTF, and recommend 75w-90 GL-5 because that's the limit of their knowledge.

True unfortunately.

Syncromesh is nice and thin in cold

Compared to which? Compared to 75W-90 GL-5? Not surprising.

View attachment 236443

Obviously some kind of a copper strip corrosion test. Most of these appear to
be GL-5 hypoid gear oils. Not actually helpful for this discussion. We're talking
about GL-4 MTFs suitable for a Mk7 R and similar cars with the same 02Q.
.

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

I'm talking about the the production date and the OP's Mk7 R with its
02Q transmission. It at least applies to drivetrains built in Germany.
Any Mk7 with the 02Q (2.0 TSI and 2.0 TDI with manual gearbox) came
with VW G 052 527, while Mk5 and Mk6 with similar engines did come
with VW G 052 171 from the factory.
Anyway, both VW G 052 171 and G 052 527 are very similar, virtually
same viscosity and probably similar ad packs. While I guess the newer
one is superior I'd bet you could try them both in any 02Q. Both are
75W or even 70W-75 GL-4.
MSDS for VW G 052 527 2023 says 27,6 cSt (40°C) and 6,1 cSt (100°C),
desity of 0,851, a lowish pourpoint of -51°C and flashpoint of 208°C,
suggesting a group 3/4 mix.
Personally I have driven dozens of Audi A3 8P, TT 8J and Mk5 and Mk6
with G 052 171 and shifting has almost always great.

That said, Castrol actually recommends Transmax Manual V 75W-80 as
a replacement for VW G 052 527:

https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...275180280258B2A0045C68F/$File/wepp-d5ntws.pdf

https://msdspds.castrol.com/msdspds...=Full&spu=Lubricants&unrestrictedmb=No&cols=0

Yes, with 8.1 and 40 cSt it's thicker compared to VW G 052 171 and G 052 527,
just like common Synchromesh fluids, BUT probably better for this application.
Obviously Castrol designed Transmax Manual V 75W-80 to work in 02Q trans-
missions while very most Synchromesh fluids don't.

.

Wow, I actually understood all that for once. I think I've been spending too much time on this site.

Regarding Castrol's recommendation, I do see in your link where they list the outgoing and current VAG MTF fluid specs. However at least on my end, their Product Finder Page is broken and recommends nothing other than motor oil when I input my vehicle. Or it's not broken and they simply don't have anything.

Consider the following...

In the States, It doesn't appear that any of Castrol's current offerings satisfy either of G052171 or G052527. They do have a DSG application for more modern VAG. Maybe this has to do with the fact that they're offering far fewer manuals than 10 years ago?

Febi 21829 covers pretty much all of G052171 and G052527 and any superseding specs, so I just use that.

 

[930.engineering]

.
Yes, I noticed Castrol don't offer Transmax Manual V 75W-80
on both American and UK markets. I fairly understand the US
is an "AT market", while the UK isn't. Don't ask me why. I'd bet
roughly half if not more of the cars on British roads have a MT.

Another option is Liqui Moly Top-Tec MTF 5300 70W-75 and
apparently available in the US and in the UK:

US:
https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/us/ca...5300-sae-70w-75w-p004824/category/4765/#22274

UK and Ireland:
https://www.liqui-moly.com/en/gb/top-tec-mtf-5300-70w-75w-p004824.html#21359

LM claim to be meet VW G 052 171 and G 052 527 requirements.
I'm not a LM fan, but on paper at least it looks stunning.
PI and MSDS suggest a majority of PAO similar to Castrol Transmax
Manual V 75W-80, but apparently thinner (it's a 70W-75 of course),
even a tad thinner than VW's own G 052 527 (5.9 instead of 6.1 cSt).

.