RL MT-90 or Amsoil MTG?
- Thread starter Motoretro
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Just came home and a box full of Amsoil was sitting on the front porch. Less than 48 hours from when i ordered. That's good service. It's going to warm up to almost 60 here in MI on Friday and I'll do a transmission fluid change then. Will report back my initial findings.
Once again thanks for all the input,
Motoretro
Once again thanks for all the input,
Motoretro
Above I state I am using RL MTL in my saab 9-3 with a 5-speed manual. The OEM fluid is Castrol 75w90. I had talked to Dave at redline for my application and he stated the MTL would be fine. So far everything is very smooth, especially on the cold mornings, I am worried though that it might be a little thin. Should I go for the MT-90?
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Me,I`d be more concerned with shiftability/protection once the transmission was good and hot.............while it`s still cold on first of the morning drives,just go easy on it till the transmission is up to operating temp.
Aquarisuscsm, Thus far when the transmission is hot, the shifting is really smooth, and I can shift faster. Seems like the synchros are keeping up with my speed of shifting.
I have redline MT90. From what I read on the Internet, I thought it would shift better than the Amsoil 75w90 GL4. Nissan 75w85 already shifted good, I think the MT90 shifts a little better and should protect better. Some people mix redline MT(75w80) 50/50 with MT90(75w90) to get better shifting.
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Originally Posted By: james49
I have redline MT90. From what I read on the Internet, I thought it would shift better than the Amsoil 75w90 GL4. Nissan 75w85 already shifted good, I think the MT90 shifts a little better and should protect better. Some people mix redline MT(75w80) 50/50 with MT90(75w90) to get better shifting.
I was VERY disappointed with MT90. Shifted worse then the Nissan dino MTF. Impeccable shifting quality when ice cold,but became attrocious once the transmission heated up. Felt really notchy,metallic,(as if there was metal to metal rubbing),had to be forced into gear at times,and the transmission became very noisy. But the Amsoil MTG on the other hand..........I`ll put it this way,so far with the Amsoil products I`ve tried,they live up 100% to what they claim. Shifting,whether cold or hot is so smooth you can`t even feel the gears changing,they just slip right in,as if you`re shifting through air. Transmission noise is gone completely. But what sealed the deal is how the hotter the transmission gets,the smoother it shifts. Utterly amazing stuff! Worth every penny!
I have redline MT90. From what I read on the Internet, I thought it would shift better than the Amsoil 75w90 GL4. Nissan 75w85 already shifted good, I think the MT90 shifts a little better and should protect better. Some people mix redline MT(75w80) 50/50 with MT90(75w90) to get better shifting.
I was VERY disappointed with MT90. Shifted worse then the Nissan dino MTF. Impeccable shifting quality when ice cold,but became attrocious once the transmission heated up. Felt really notchy,metallic,(as if there was metal to metal rubbing),had to be forced into gear at times,and the transmission became very noisy. But the Amsoil MTG on the other hand..........I`ll put it this way,so far with the Amsoil products I`ve tried,they live up 100% to what they claim. Shifting,whether cold or hot is so smooth you can`t even feel the gears changing,they just slip right in,as if you`re shifting through air. Transmission noise is gone completely. But what sealed the deal is how the hotter the transmission gets,the smoother it shifts. Utterly amazing stuff! Worth every penny!
"I was VERY disappointed with MT90. Shifted worse then the Nissan dino MTF."
I put it in a Hardbody with a 5 speed about 3 months ago and I haven't driven it much yet. If I get the problems you mention, I'll either use Amsoil MTG or a synthetic 75w85 next time.
I put it in a Hardbody with a 5 speed about 3 months ago and I haven't driven it much yet. If I get the problems you mention, I'll either use Amsoil MTG or a synthetic 75w85 next time.
Is MTG thinner than RL MTL as I need a straight MTL replacement?
Assuredly MTL is lighter than MTG. MTG is a 75W-90, with a vis of 14.7 cSt@100° F. I can't remember, but MTL is down around 10 cSt or so. Amsoil MTF is the equivalent of MTL.
"I was VERY disappointed with MT90. Shifted worse then the Nissan dino MTF."
Red Line MT-90 is a poor choice for newer Nissan transmissions. I found Specialty Formulations MTL=P to be the best. But since it is no longer available, I'd use Amsoil MTG ... possibly thinned out a bit with MTF ... say 75/25 MTG/MTF.
Red Line MT-90 is a poor choice for newer Nissan transmissions. I found Specialty Formulations MTL=P to be the best. But since it is no longer available, I'd use Amsoil MTG ... possibly thinned out a bit with MTF ... say 75/25 MTG/MTF.
Originally Posted By: sprintman
Is MTG thinner than RL MTL as I need a straight MTL replacement?
There's a list here http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/MTF.htm
and you can add Penrite SIN MTF to it too, although it's a 75W-85 at 12.5cSt@100*C
Is MTG thinner than RL MTL as I need a straight MTL replacement?
There's a list here http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/MTF.htm
and you can add Penrite SIN MTF to it too, although it's a 75W-85 at 12.5cSt@100*C
Originally Posted By: tdi-rick
Originally Posted By: sprintman
Is MTG thinner than RL MTL as I need a straight MTL replacement?
There's a list here http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/MTF.htm
and you can add Penrite SIN MTF to it too, although it's a 75W-85 at 12.5cSt@100*C
Forgot to add that Amsoil MTF should be a direct replacement for R/L MTL too.
Originally Posted By: sprintman
Is MTG thinner than RL MTL as I need a straight MTL replacement?
There's a list here http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/MTF.htm
and you can add Penrite SIN MTF to it too, although it's a 75W-85 at 12.5cSt@100*C
Forgot to add that Amsoil MTF should be a direct replacement for R/L MTL too.
MolaKule
Staff member
Some info for you from the Science and Technology of Oils and Lubricant Additives:
Quote:
Current MTL GL4 viscosities are:
1. ATF viscosity Series; 6.5 to 8.5 cSt (Equivalent ATF viscosity; Note: ATF additive package is weak compared to most GL4's)
2. Synchromesh viscosity Series; 9.3 - 9.6 cSt (such as Amsoils MTF, Texaco's MTL, Pennzoil's Synchromesh, GM and Chrysler's Synchromesh)
3. 75W85 viscosity Series; 9.8 to 11.5 cSt ( Redline's MTL, RP's Synchromax LT, Nissan's MTL, Honda MTL, Castrol Syntorq LT)
4. 75W90 viscosity Series; 12.8 to 14.5 cSt (Amsoil's MTG, Redline's MT-90).
Quote:
Current MTL GL4 viscosities are:
1. ATF viscosity Series; 6.5 to 8.5 cSt (Equivalent ATF viscosity; Note: ATF additive package is weak compared to most GL4's)
2. Synchromesh viscosity Series; 9.3 - 9.6 cSt (such as Amsoils MTF, Texaco's MTL, Pennzoil's Synchromesh, GM and Chrysler's Synchromesh)
3. 75W85 viscosity Series; 9.8 to 11.5 cSt ( Redline's MTL, RP's Synchromax LT, Nissan's MTL, Honda MTL, Castrol Syntorq LT)
4. 75W90 viscosity Series; 12.8 to 14.5 cSt (Amsoil's MTG, Redline's MT-90).
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I started this thread and here's my update & experiences. After 1000 miles with Amsoil MTG 75w90 substituted for the factory 09 Toyota Tacoma manual 5 speed trans fluid, I have drained the Amsoil product. I experienced very notchy shifting and very stiff shifter feel compared to OEM at cold temps. It did get better once warmed up for an hour or so although I was not comfortable with the charateristics of the trans with the MTG inside, especially when cold. Albeit the transmission gear whine was reduced significantly with MTG, something I was hoping to find.
I captured the MTG fluid and may try it in the summer months as I have $40.00 invested. I reinstalled the factory Toyota fluid and due to some spillage, I topped it off with my dealer specified Valvoline non-synthetic 75W90 GL5 fluid(approx. 7 ounces). Evidently the OEM fluid is different than what the dealer specified as now my transmission shifts very well, almost as well as with OEM fluid and is quieter than original although not as quiet as with MTG. The 7 ounces of Valvoline seems to have help quite a bit. Perhaps I stumbled across the magic elixir....
A couple notes;
1/What does Toyota actually put in these transmissions?
2/I'm thinking something between OEM and MTG fluid would be the best compromise. The blend I now have in the trans of 7 ounces of Valvoline 75w90 GL5 and OEM/? fluid seems to work reasonbly well although I would still like a quieter trans...
3/Are the friction additives that important or does the cure lie in viscosity levels only?
Motoretro
I captured the MTG fluid and may try it in the summer months as I have $40.00 invested. I reinstalled the factory Toyota fluid and due to some spillage, I topped it off with my dealer specified Valvoline non-synthetic 75W90 GL5 fluid(approx. 7 ounces). Evidently the OEM fluid is different than what the dealer specified as now my transmission shifts very well, almost as well as with OEM fluid and is quieter than original although not as quiet as with MTG. The 7 ounces of Valvoline seems to have help quite a bit. Perhaps I stumbled across the magic elixir....
A couple notes;
1/What does Toyota actually put in these transmissions?
2/I'm thinking something between OEM and MTG fluid would be the best compromise. The blend I now have in the trans of 7 ounces of Valvoline 75w90 GL5 and OEM/? fluid seems to work reasonbly well although I would still like a quieter trans...
3/Are the friction additives that important or does the cure lie in viscosity levels only?
Motoretro
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Your trans is brand new and should be tight right now. A lot of 5-speed toyota trans' are notchy when cold. Our 08 corolla experienced it and it also had the 3rd gear grind quite badly with the FF fluid in. It now has MTG in there and it's been getting better more and more every day. The 3rd gear grind is there when you shift too quickly, but yet it shifts buttery smooth otherwise.
I have been told that it is good to say the phrase: ' Bare naked ladies' before you pop to the next gear. Don't know what to think about that, but if you try it it does shift smoother.
I don't remember if our 94 camry or my 90 toyota p/u had these issues when new ( both 5-speeds). It seems like they didn't, but i was young back then too, and it was a long time ago.
I'm not an expert on syn fluids by any means, but i would imagine over time the MTG would only get better.
I have been told that it is good to say the phrase: ' Bare naked ladies' before you pop to the next gear. Don't know what to think about that, but if you try it it does shift smoother.
I don't remember if our 94 camry or my 90 toyota p/u had these issues when new ( both 5-speeds). It seems like they didn't, but i was young back then too, and it was a long time ago.
I'm not an expert on syn fluids by any means, but i would imagine over time the MTG would only get better.
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